AI Campaign => For a Challenging AI opponent

[oleg]

I know it, but it surely spice up the game

[JLS]

It surly does, Oleg

Actually, most of us do it as well. I think

It cuts travel time so much for me; I sometimes forget that it will make ease for my rivels, as well

[ September 19, 2003, 16:51: Message edited by: JLS ]

[JLS]

>>>above maps are good for No Warp Games or without ALL WPs connected) ---

This implies that; other AIC data is optimized for these maps with or with out the above setting of No-Warp and/or without ALL WPs connected for your new game.
~You may also regenerate the AIC-CENTURION RUINS map with the above settings for a no-warp game.

All maps that are located below from that menu; play similar to se4 or the maps you may be used to regardless of whether it is a no warp game or not, because the AIC SM III warp opener is at the same location on the Tech Tree and same as default of 10 LY, as the se4 first warp opener.
~ ~ ~

Now with above said, and considering Opening Warps over your Home Planet. Try this setting when starting a new game quad map ALL WPs connected { off } and then No Warp Points { ON } as this WILL absolutely change most if not all the AI Players strategies/methodologies and may somewhat change your new system warp opening methods/strategies as well.

= = = =

In addition, for those of you that have not played this style of just a ALL WPs connected { off } game with >>>above maps are good", please give it a try; it is an interesting alternative from the basic standard or no-warp games



[ September 19, 2003, 17:40: Message edited by: JLS ]

[oleg]

Yes, but I simply like MiddleAge type maps. Clusters do not feel "real" and SpiralArm tends to have very short interstellar distances. It is by design, I know, but I just prefer random MiddleAge maps. I am perfectly happy with all types and just express my preferences.

[JLS]

Absolutely I agree, Oleg. My favorite map has always been PvK�s Semi-Standard Proportions map

= = =
With �>>>above maps are good for No Warp Games or without ALL WPs connected� does; is help me tweak the AI Players better and to set up some boundaries that will applie inherently, to most default no-warp and or without ALL WPs connected new game starts, that�s all.

Reference
PvK�s Proportions Semi-Standard quad map

Name := Semi-Standard
Description := Slightly different from sidereal, with a few more special systems.

[ September 19, 2003, 17:34: Message edited by: JLS ]

[Alneyan]

Thanks for your answers JLS.

100 Minefield is solid against the AI; until that, AI Player acquires many destroyers and certainly a few Fighter Carrier's of any nature in a fleet that would attempt a pass thru your minefield.

It is always wise to have a Mixed bag of Satellites to help defend along with your Minefield. Certainly with this AI, and as with playing against Human Players; you will be the constent need to shore up this static defensive position with a Fleet, Carriers, Fighters and Bases even Drones at your ready; as time passes and your opponent also gets stronger
~ ~ ~
With AIC 4.0 as discussed earlier; the AI Player will have less effect with mines and will be subjected to more of our cruelty

It is also planed to Implement Suicides Junkies suggestions in regards to Mines in general. However the trusty Human Player Minesweeper will still be in play

Yes, I was asking about the beginning of the game, after twenty years the very same minefield might be not exactly enough against an enemy fleet composed of sixty cruisers. And when you are using a network of warp points, all connected to your Homeworld, then you should also add more defenses just in case.

Thank you. However, please pat your self on the back Alneyan; this was based from your premise

With out the CBEC on their CC for the NON-Religious Human Players Home System, this may have some interesting results if the Hero�s Epic is not used.

Agreed 90 for high, it may just be AIC 4.0 High Event setting, the Human Player can throttle this back with a heroes Epic, if and where desired. This also may be a good setting for the SP Human Player that wishes to start with 18 plus total in-game Players.
Other wise Medium of 50 will give a good and moderate frequency for events that also could be throttled up with a heroes Epic, if and where desired

*Pats himself on the back* *Must look like quite ludicrous* If a player is not happy with the settings used, he/she could change them I suppose. Even I is able to do so, so anyone should be able to tweak these values. *Smirks*

This is a good is a good question�
O my Heroes Epic it will take a lot of recall to put all this in perspective. We did discuses this many months ago I will put together a rudimentary presentation together. With that, I do expect you to pick it apart so we all can address some of the modifiers. How we perceive they may quantify and how one facility may now supercede that facility but that�s ok because the superceded facility has this neat thing that may benefit all. However, this is only as long as that facility is built, but then again, if or when this is done the modifier will be ~ ~

I am not sure if I did understand your meaning there. Does it mean you will put a (sort of) description, expecting harsh criticisms? Do not worry, I am really kind.

I do not have issues with the current reproduction formula, I was merely curious. The problem might be with the Organic facilities though, but as Oleg seems to like these ones, he will be more suited to speak about such matters.

Absolutely, do what you will With the exception of WARP CLOSE; the AI Players handles most stellar Manipulations very well, in AIC�
Actually, it gets upsetting when they convert that asteroid to a planet and then rush their colonizers to them. When you see an AI Planet Creators in your Asteroid belts, start building Colonizers. Alternatively, just attempt to capture a few if the prize warrants this.

Additionally, for example, your static defenses have been constructed and well prepared for some time now then all of a sudden some Science or Engineering AI Player opens a back door and alas, the flood gates are now opened; with this the may-day klaxons are sounded for the total recall of the fleet to protect the mother land

If you plan on Blowing up one of their Planets or a Star with tectonics; you will barely have enough time to do this with most or their older and well established systems, and it is very doubtful you will succeeded at the AI Players Home System.
In addition, as the game progresses it will become more and more difficult for the unscrupulous Human Player to Systematically close your friendly and trusting AI Players Warp Points, and Late in the game it may be come difficult to open alternate warp points to their Systems.

This list can continue but lets save a few more surprises for you; from this AI

Hmm I see, then I will no longer feel compassion with the AI and deploy all my power with any weapon at my disposal. It will be nasty for an AI to open a warp point right behind my main battlegroup, just next to the node leading to all my systems in no more than a month. We will see what will happens in my current game, in which this time I seem to be doing fine (or rather, I am no longer doing poorly)

Additionally, as I am speaking of a full war against the AI, does the AI know how to use Intelligence well? Some projects would seem to be more powerful now than in vanilla SE:IV, like, for instance, the ones targeting population or the conditions of a given planet. That could be quite nasty, if they are still available.

As for my "plan" on connecting all warp points together, I was actually playing a *very* over-confident race, which was a bit less arrogant when their homeworld fall to enemy hands.

On a more pragmatic point of view, doing such a thing has many pros as you mentioned, but the "little" drawback is that your Homeworld is so much more exposed to an enemy assault. (Except if you are using the facilities to prevent the opening of a warp point in all your systems save one, but you would have to be *very* patient to do so.)

Perhaps one could think of using a planet, not too far from your Homeworld, as a hub, linked to every other system? You would still be quite vulnerable, but at least your Homeworld could not fall in a single turn. Finally, is warping requires a movement point or no?

*Returns plotting against these Empires, lost somewhere in the universe, hidden in their little systems*

[JLS]

as Originally posted by Alneyan:

*Pats himself on the back* *Must look like quite ludicrous* If a player is not happy with the settings used, he/she could change them I suppose. Even I is able to do so, so anyone should be able to tweak these values. *Smirks*

Please, define your opinion here I may be misunderstanding you.

The reply, as is now; yes. That any player can now attempt to change events {chance occurrences) in his/her Systems, if desired by Him or her. And that it is also to say him or her will not be locked in by just the start up options chance settings, as in past se4 or Mods. This is a good thing isn�t it?

For example in a no-warp game, and you are feeling lucky.

Lets say that from one of your remote newly colonized systems, would or could connect to a another system or even a large unexplored cluster of systems; only if you had a that SM tech. As a player you now may build Hero�s Epic that has a better the chance for that system to OPEN a new warp by (EVENT).
Sure the Gods are fickle and they may totaly destroy that newly colonized system or maybe grant you 40 Refugees instead

This is what the Heroes Epic it is meant to be about

- - - -

I am not sure if I did understand your meaning there. Does it mean you will put a (sort of) description, expecting harsh criticisms? Do not worry, I am really kind.

I do not have issues with the current reproduction formula, I was merely curious.

My post was not that well defined, my apologies.

I have no worries I look forward and do expect some input from you. Actually, I will be disappointed in you if there was none

There is a lot to it and it was getting late Last night.
As I said I would; I have been putting together that rudimentary presentation together this mourning in-between Posts etc.
This will be done soon.
- - - -

The problem might be with the Organic facilities though, but as Oleg seems to like these ones, he will be more suited to speak about such matters.

OK

However, I am concerned you found an �Organics problem�.
Please elaborate

-----

Hmm I see, then I will no longer feel compassion with the AI and deploy all my power with any weapon at my disposal. It will be nasty for an AI to open a warp point right behind my main battlegroup, just next to the node leading to all my systems in no more than a month. We will see what will happens in my current game, in which this time I seem to be doing fine (or rather, I am no longer doing poorly)

Exactly, once you get the unfamiliar economics� and new mechanics down you will be ready for a Low Bonus Game
- - - -

Additionally, as I am speaking of a full war against the AI, does the AI know how to use Intelligence well? Some projects would seem to be more powerful now than in vanilla SE:IV, like, for instance, the ones targeting population or the conditions of a given planet. That could be quite nasty, if they are still available.

In regards to the IntelProjects. Other then the addition of AIC Psychic Intel and a few other minnor changes, yes.
With the actual se4 Intel module; this AI offensively plays {basicly} the same.

However again, you just lit a light bulb, I am going to play around with a few more possible Intel options.
- - - -

[quote]
is warping requires a movement point or no?

The actual warp, no.
Movement to thay sector of the next system, yes.

Perhaps one could think of using a planet, not too far from your Homeworld, as a hub, linked to every other system? You would still be quite vulnerable, but at least your Homeworld could not fall in a single turn.

*Returns plotting against these Empires, lost somewhere in the universe, hidden in their little systems*

Agreed, at the least this may may give the; Impulsive or Neutral and Certainly the Friendly and Serine demeanord AI Player a chance to decide {are you friend or foe} if first contact is made via a new Connecting systems Warp point, other then just dumping on your HW.


[ September 19, 2003, 19:17: Message edited by: JLS ]

[Alneyan]

As originally posted by JLS

Please, define your opinion here I may be misunderstanding you.

The reply, as is now; yes. That any player can now attempt to change events {chance occurrences) in his/her Systems, if desired by Him or her. And that it is also to say him or her will not be locked in by just the start up options chance settings

For example in a no-warp game, and you are feeling lucky.

Lets say that from one of your remote newly colonized systems, would or could connect to a another system or even a large unexplored cluster of systems; only if you had a that SM tech. As a player you now may build Hero�s Epic that has a better the chance for that system to OPEN a new warp by (EVENT).
Sure the Gods are fickle and they may totaly destroy that newly colonized system or maybe grant you 40 Refugees instead

This is what the Heroes Epic it is meant to be about

Sorry, I was really obscure. I meant that a player could change the odds for an event in the settings.txt file, if he or she wasn't happy with the values you choose for AIC 4.0

Yes, these shrines are exactly there to alter the odds for events in both ways. It depends if you are willing to take quite a risk or not. (Even a Warp Point Opened event can be more harmful than, say, if your outpost was destroyed, if this particular warp point leads right into a system owned by an aggressive species whose fleet is twice as powerful as your own. )

My post was not that well defined, my apologies.

I have no worries I look forward and do expect some input from you. Actually, I will be disappointed in you if there was none

There is a lot to it and it was getting late Last night.
As I said I would; I have been putting together that rudimentary presentation together this mourning in-between Posts etc.
This will be done soon.

You should not worry, I am pretty sure there will be feedback, either praise or criticisms, or both for that matter. I have to admit I could not find the settings affecting the reproduction formula in the data files as for now.

Exactly, once you get the unfamiliar economics� and new mechanics down you will be ready for a Low Bonus Game

When I am able to stand my ground against a single AI, I will try with a Low Bonus AI. (And later perhaps even a desesperate game, erh, in a few years then lest the game is an onslaught, although this could be fun. )

In regards to the IntelProjects. Other then the addition of AIC Psychic Intel and a few other minnor changes, with the se4 Intel module this AI offensively plays {basicly} the same.

However again, you just lit a light bulb, I am going to play around with a few more possible Intel options.

I didn't point this thing on purpose though. (I am not playing much with Intelligence usually, I will have to research Intelligence in my current game to remind what are the available projets, although I am not a Psychic)

The actual warp, no.
Movement to thay sector of the next system, yes.

Hmm, then I am even more vulnerable than what I believed in my worst nightmares. Perhaps a change of stragegy might be useful.

[Alneyan]

Incidentally, I would second JLS's suggestion to try at least once a No Warp Point game. I only played with such settings a few days ago with AIC, and I have to say these games are as or even more enjoyable than the regular ones. It might not suit your tastes, but you do not have much to lose in trying.

[JLS]

As originally posted by Alneyan:

I meant that a player could change the odds for an event in the settings.txt file, if he or she wasn't happy with the values you choose for AIC 4.0

Yes, these shrines are exactly there to alter the odds for events in both ways. It depends if you are willing to take quite a risk or not. (Even a Warp Point Opened event can be more harmful than, say, if your outpost was destroyed, if this particular warp point leads right into a system owned by an aggressive species whose fleet is twice as powerful as your own.

Actually if you follow the Posts every one has a voice, for example, you remarked on 90% as High

On the flip side, what risk is there if one would want the Hero that may actually reduce an events; you will reduce the chances and as you say RISK also the possible beneficial events

In regards to the Possibilities, it is fair to say that this is not yet possible in se4, and this will offer another option to the Human Players that play AIC.

How can this be a bad thing?
- - - -

You should not worry, I am pretty sure there will be feedback, either praise or criticisms, or both for that matter. I have to admit I could not find the settings affecting the reproduction formula in the data files as for now.

OK

However, I am still unsure and concerned of the specific "Organics Facility Problem� you are referring to?

Is it a programming error on my part?
Or is it something conceptual you do not understand?
Please elaborate.



[ September 19, 2003, 19:50: Message edited by: JLS ]