Smarter AI, Smarter Tactics: How to Adapt to the New Ready or Not AI in 2025

Ready or Not has always been a thinking-person’s shooter. But after the July 2025 "End of Watch" update, things have changed—big time. Whether you're storming a gang-infested fast-food joint or investigating a missing cop, you’ll notice enemies and squadmates aren’t acting quite the same anymore.

That’s because VOID Interactive rolled out a major AI overhaul across the board. Suspects are more reactive. Squadmates are more reliable. And your old breach-and-clear habits? They might just get you killed.

Let’s break down exactly what’s changed—and how you can adapt.


🧠 What Changed in the July 2025 AI Overhaul?

The Los Sueños Stories update quietly included a full AI behavior rework:

  • Enemy AI now checks corners, flanks more frequently, and hides better when under threat.

  • Friendly AI responds more naturally to commands like “restrain,” “mirror,” or “stack,” with better line-of-sight decision-making.

  • Suspects react to stress, loud noise, and squad positioning—meaning flashbangs and suppression aren’t just cosmetic anymore.

Even your own team benefits from animation upgrades that use inverse kinematics, making room clearing feel more grounded and realistic.

🧩 In short: AI is no longer just reactive. It’s situationally aware.


🧨 Why This Update Changes the Way You Play

Previously, AI behavior was pretty easy to game—you’d breach, stun, and mop up. Now, that strategy might get your team wiped. Here’s why:

How to Adapt to the New Ready or Not AI
😈 Enemies Flank and Hide

Suspects don’t just stand still anymore. If you toss a flashbang, they might run, hunker down, or bait you into a trap.

🧍 Squadmates Make Better Calls

Your AI team now understands cover, spacing, and angles. They’re more useful, but they also expect you to issue clean orders.

🎧 Noise Discipline Matters

Gunshots, broken doors, and footsteps now alert nearby suspects. Tactical stealth isn’t just immersive—it’s vital.


🎯 Smart Tactics for Smarter AI

Now that AI thinks more like real people, you need to adjust your approach. Here’s how to stay one step ahead:

1. Flash Before You Breach

Don’t skip the bang. Even smarter enemies can’t shoot straight while stunned, and it gives you vital seconds to act.

2. Use Suppression Fire

Even if you're not hitting them, shooting into a room buys your squad time to enter or reposition. Smart AI will duck or relocate when suppressed.

3. Command Your Team—Don’t Freelance

AI squadmates work best with direction. Use radial commands like “Mirror Under Door” or “Stack Left” instead of going in solo.

4. Expect Enemies in New Spots

Gone are the days of knowing where a suspect will be. Check high, low, and behind every door. Expect ambushes in retreat zones.

5. Adjust Difficulty Settings

New sliders in the July update let you fine-tune AI aggression, response time, and behavior. Don't be afraid to find your sweet spot.


💬 What the Community Thinks

Feedback has been a mix of admiration and adjustment pain:

  • Reddit users praise the increased realism:

    “It actually feels like I'm in danger now. I have to think.” – u/SpecOpsJake

  • Some players still find squad AI buggy, especially when navigating tight corridors or reacting to shielded suspects.

  • Modders have embraced the change, with some even building on the new system to improve realism further.


🧪 What the Devs Say

In their July Dev Briefing (Vol. 87), VOID Interactive confirmed that:

  • AI improvements were motion-captured for realism.

  • Smarter pathfinding was built to serve both console and PC versions via a shared system.

  • The goal is to make every room feel like a new tactical puzzle.

“We want you to fear every closed door,” the devs hinted—mission accomplished.


🧭 Final Thoughts: Evolve or Get Left Behind

The smarter AI in Ready or Not isn’t just a nice touch—it’s a total game-changer. If you’re still treating suspects like target dummies, you’ll end up in the morgue.

Adapt your tactics, trust your squad, and use every tool in your belt. That’s what the new Ready or Not demands.


🔗 Community Resources & Related Articles 

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