I think I somewhat solved the dilemma of the preemptive/surprise issue working with Battle Processing within events, and this issue relates to the same project, but figured it should be in a different thread.

Here's the situation:

My encounters are event based, not random, and either approach or run away from the player when they get within a certain range. If the player is at a certain level compared to the Troops in the event, the event will move away from the player instead of moving towards the player. I want there to be a Preemptive strike if the player touches the event when it is facing away from the player, but if the player touches the side or front on the event then it will be a regular battle.

Here's the problem:

The problem is, as soon as the player touches the event, the event turns towards the player, thereby negating the Preemption from triggering. Since the event is set to move away from the player and it changes direction as it does so, I can't use the directional fix option, and if I try to add a Set Move Route in the event to fix the direction, it won't happen until the event already faces the player upon touch.

I can overcome this problem by setting the events to be below the player, but I would like them to be the same level so that the events are not walked over or under.

I think my only option will be a script, but if there's an easier way to do it within the event instead of a script, that would be wonderful. If the only option is a script to make all events not face the player on activation, then I'd probably have to remember to add a "face player" Move Route in each of my other events that should change direction.

Thanks for any advice!