I've been working on a new AI, which for the most part is looking fairly good. For the first time, though, I am trying to get the AI to use drones. So far I am not at all happy with the results. A couple of times it has used them successfully, but for the most part it just seems to be a waste of resources and research, as the attacks are never coordinated, just single (or rarely 2) drones arriving at a time to be destroyed. Then, of course, the drone carriers had some interesting problems. For instance, I saw a couple of drone carriers join up with a large fleet of attack ships moving into enemy territory. Unfortunately, the fleet ran into a single enemy ship on the way. The fleet destroyed it as soon as they could reach firing position, but of course the drone carriers launched every anti-ship drone they had at it. After the battle, there was a large stack of anti-ship drones sitting out in the middle of nowhere with nowhere to go. They finally all died when they ran out of maintenance.
Ok, long story leading up to the question, but is it worth it to have the AI research drones? I am about ready to rip all of the drone research, design and construction out of this AI, as I think it will be better off without it. Am I missing some trick that would make it more effective in its use of drones? If I take drones out, is the AI going to be weaker in the long run?
And what about Naomi?
Request for opinions on AI drone use.
Threaded Mode