Challenging AI?

[Yimboli]

i coulda sworn I posted this earlier today.. apparently I only hit the preview post button

Hello all

I have recently reinstalled my copy of SE4 Gold, updated it to 1.91, and played using the newest Devnull mod. I recall from my previous experiences that the AI was MUCH better, so imagine my surprise when I'm the MEE by turn 100, with over a quarter of the galaxy in my territory, and all three warp points leading into my territory mined to the 500 unit limit!

I've scoured the net searching for a decent singleplayer AI that will run with Devnull's mod. I like the Devnull mod cuzza the crossover technologies and some of the other added techs (which may by now be incorporated in the original - but I'm not sure) like the artificial stellar moon (mini sphereworld?? hellz yeah, I'll take two!!!).

To top it off, half the AI empires that are in my empires directory give me an error when I try to add them at game startup!

I have read that PBW is awesome - but I don't have the time (electrical engineer, >20 credits, sleeping in lab...), so what I primarily want is a challenging AI; one that I don't have to beef up with insane bonuses to offset its incompetence.

I recently found this forum. After visiting the ghosttown-like forums on spaceempires.net, I assumed that se4 was dead and that I would never find any help within the week. But this forum is just crawling with experience and help, thank god for me! I love the game, and am glad to see it still alive!

So after checking out this happening site, I pose the question to the frequenters of this forum: is there a decent AI that will work well with the Devnull mod? If not, is there a bad@$$ AI that will work with the unmodded game? Or perhaps another mod?? All I want is a challenge in the single player mode. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[Arkcon]

Hi there, welcome to the Shrapnel Boards, this one is usually pretty busy. Most people will quickly suggest the TDM-Modpack as a good mod for a challenge.

The consensus is that the United Flora Empire are the toughest, also the Rage, and I find the Aquileans pretty tough as well, all contained in that mod.

Be sure to give them a small or moderate bonus, to get them over the early game hump the AI tends to find itself in.

Get the TDM Mod Pack here: {clicky}

[ April 12, 2004, 03:05: Message edited by: Arkcon ]

[pathfinder]

Two MODS come to mind with decent AI: TDM and AIC. They should give you a decent challenge.

[Yimboli]

Thanks for the quick replies - i figured i'd get a quick answer.

According to that link you sent me...

TDM-ModPack 3.30 (Gold Version)
February 7, 2003

For use with Space Empires IV Version 1.84 only.

the latest TDM mod is for 1.84 only. Is it safe to assume that the changes in 1.91 are small enough to not adversely affect the AI in TDM?

Thanks
-Tim

[General Woundwort]

Originally posted by Yimboli:
the latest TDM mod is for 1.84 only. Is it safe to assume that the changes in 1.91 are small enough to not adversely affect the AI in TDM?

Sit tight - a TDM update is nearing release...

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...;f=23;t=011080

[PeterD]

I downloaded the latest TDM beta and
so far the 3 AI's I've used have been
fine on Version 1.91