Computer AI Guide
Okay, this miniture guide is to cover the rival intelligence in Mario kart DS and covers how bosses seem to be programmed, why certain characters always come first or last, the matter of the AI cheating and general tips to exploit it.Why does a certain character always come in first or last in Grand Prix mode/vs?
This is because, the game is programmed to generally have set characters coming in certain places. This is kind of random, but here is how the game wil generally work. This bit assumes you are fourth:
The first and second racers will always be of a similar skill level, and will come in first or second if you are third or below randomly, or second an third if you are first.
The third player, will generally be slightly less skilled than the top two, and will almost always come in third if you are fourth. If you are third, he will come fourth. If you are second or above, he will come in third as usual.
The fifth and sixth players are even less skilled. These rivals will always come in this kind of position.
Finally, the seventh and eighth players will always 'lose' as such.
Note that even with patterns, the players in each set which come in a said position will alternate.
If you knock out a rival, depending on what item is used, the positions may change temporarily. This depends on what item is used. If it's small like a shell, there will be minimal time before the attacked player returns to a set position. If you knock them off a cliff, it could take half a lap.
How are the enemies programmed?
Enemies in tracks go along a set route which never changes. For example, Thwomps go up, along, down, up, back along and down again while cars and other traffic go around the courses in a circular course.
Is it true you can exploit this against bosses?
Yes, Chief Chilly will move slightly as he is about to attack. Boost then, and he will not jump to dodge your attack allowing you to smash him off the arena easier.
What happens when a race is over?
I've seen these things:
All cars just stop except your own. This is randomly occurring.
All karts continue moving but at a slower speed.
All karts but your own vanish
How does a Bullet Bill work?
This follows a set course along the middle of the track. It also takes the default route which computer rivals take, with no shortcuts normally.
Lag FAQ and Guide
What is lag?
Lag is when the signal from the other person's Nintendo DS cannot reach your DS quickly enough so instead of the game moving the opponents kart in time with their button presses, the game predicts their path.
What things are classified as lag and what isn't?
Teleporting
Going through walls in most courses (excluding Banshee Boardwalk parts and Luigi's Mansion.
Falling off the track and reappearing instantly
Crossing the line first then getting second/third/fourth place.
What things are not lag?
People going really fast side to side (SSMTs)
People cutting across off-road surfaces with no loss in speed (PRB)
Dodging blue shells (BSD)
Getting Lakitu to move them along the track (Lakitu exploits/tricking/malfunctions)
Constant top speed (possibly 150cc hack)
Freezing game in Luigi's Mansion (freeze game glitch at stairs)
Getting star in first place at DK pass (special item box)
How can someone fall off and reappear instantly without Lakitu?
It's an effect caused by lag. This is when the connection doesn't reach your DS quickly enough and the game predicts their path, which if near a turn, means off a cliff. So you see them fall off. Then, it gets the correct location and puts them where they should be. You see this part as teleportation.
Why does it occur more in Sky Garden and rainbow Road?
Because these courses have many areas that if the person's 'falls' by lag, and reappear, can look like shortcuts. This is made worse by the fact there are 5 glitch shortcuts in Sky garden and 7 glitch ones in rainbow Road, not considering that you can literally 'fly' with a glitch in Rainbow Road and be placed back by 1/2 a lap.
How come going through an enemy isn't lag?
Well, this is a tough problem. This could be lag, could be hacking or could be the simple fact that enemies are not fully solid and can be passed through with the correct glitch knowledge.
How can I identify if someone uses a glitch or if it's just lag?
Simple. If the incident happens near a glitch shortcut filled area, assume the worst. If it happens anywhere else, assume lag. If it happens by the final vine bridge in Sky Garden, you can never be sure as:
Lag is very possible
If someone hacked a moon jump type thing it would be easy to cheat
There is an intended shortcut involving a cloud
Two Lakitu malfunctions occur in the area.
There are three glitch shortcuts