If I make a custom NPC, will it be able to engage in combat like regular NPC's?

They shouldn't be able to, no.

Custom NPCs are meant for RP only. They spawn out of nowhere for CPs - I don't even know what their starting stats are, but I think they start off with unspent SP, and you can pick the race, which theoretically means you could make a full squad of BestRace custom Riflemen spawn wherever you are instead of having to go hire more through a barracks or whatever.

They are as of right now but I fixed them come next sync. And Kay is right we do not want the game people to have an advantage using money by bypassing the game mechanics.

^

When they were introduced the intention was that they wouldn't participate in combat. However they could as any NPC could participate. However looks like Kendall has brought it back to what it was supposed to be. Cue angry people I suppose even though they have been warned in the past.

will they be able to fire back if fired upon and just not be the attackers, or is it a full on they will not fight?

Should be the latter, where they can still dodge but not fight.

So no creating a custom NPC sidekick then? Well that sucks.

Temporarily ... we are hashing out a restriction to allow them back in the combat arena

Couldn't you guys do something similar to other CP entities? For example, require them to be spawned in a barracks, tavern or other facility.

that is one thing we are going to do. There is some other things we are going to do too

I'm an avid roleplayer, and having combatants that don't talk beyond the default script annoy me. Having atleast my Squad leaders or commanders talk would be nice. Hence question.

Full update should be announced in the next sync if Kendall finishes it. :p

Done and done now you just have to wait for sync

Along the lines of Custom NPCs and the next sync, will it again be possible to add custom images to NPCs?

Yes that is in the log as well. It was a simple mix up that I fixed

Sweeeet! Thanks Kendall!

My thanks to Kendall aswell, RP just became slightly more possible.

On another note: For the pictures for custom NPC's I have a couple of questions.

1: Does the image have to be a mugshot
2: How photorealistic does the image have to be? Can it be CGI art etc or does it have to be an actual photo?

So long as it follows these rules:

All 100x100 images must have a 100% intact Combine frame.
Images must be in JPG, GIF or PNG format.
All images must have a solid black background.
No pixely or blurry images will be accepted.
No animated images of any sort.
Text on entities must be in good taste and real life symbols are generally a no.
Entities from other universes are unacceptable.
All NPC images must represent the correct race.
All offensive material will be rejected.
All images must be photo-realistic. No drawings or manga/anime images.

Any advice on how to get a fully black backround? I'm stuck using the uni linux computers and can't work most of this software.