AI_DesignCreation question...

[Val]

I'm having a little trouble with the AI (again) and even after reading the bumped thread and some of TampaGamer's work (and comparing to AI in P&N, TDM and Proportions). I am trying to get the AI to design some escort attack ships, which it does, but it promptly loads it with as many engines as possible and only the single required weapon makes it onboard.

Here is what I have:

Name := Escort Attack Ship
Design Type := Attack Ship
Vehicle Type := Ship
Default Strategy := Optimal Firing Range
Size Minimum Tonnage := 140
Size Maximum Tonnage := 190
Num Must Have At Least 1 Ability := 2
Must Have Ability 1 := Weapon
Must Have Ability 2 := Solar Resource Generation - Minerals
Minimum Speed := 2
Desired Speed := 254
Majority Weapon Family Pick 1 := 1504
Majority Weapon Family Pick 2 := 1509
Majority Weapon Family Pick 3 := 1502
Majority Weapon Family Pick 4 := 0
Majority Weapon Family Pick 5 := 0
Secondary Weapon Family Pick 1 := 0
Secondary Weapon Family Pick 2 := 0
Secondary Weapon Family Pick 3 := 0
Secondary Weapon Family Pick 4 := 0
Secondary Weapon Family Pick 5 := 0
Shields Spaces Per One := 250
Armor Spaces Per One := 0
Majority Comp Spaces Per One := 1200
Majority Comp Ability := Weapon
Secondary Comp Spaces Per One := 0
Secondary Comp Ability :=
Num Misc Abilities := 7
Misc Ability 1 Name := Master Computer
Misc Ability 1 Spaces Per One := 1000
Misc Ability 2 Name := Point-Defense
Misc Ability 2 Spaces Per One := 300
Misc Ability 3 Name := Cloak Level
Misc Ability 3 Spaces Per One := 10000
Misc Ability 4 Name := Combat To Hit Defense Plus
Misc Ability 4 Spaces Per One := 10000
Misc Ability 5 Name := Combat To Hit Offense Plus
Misc Ability 5 Spaces Per One := 10000
Misc Ability 6 Name := Shield Regeneration
Misc Ability 6 Spaces Per One := 800
Misc Ability 7 Name := Scanner Jammer
Misc Ability 7 Spaces Per One := 1000

I have tried adding Secondary Comp Ability := Weapon, tried lowering the Majority comp spaces per one to 50 and countless other offbeat things. The only thing that seems to work is lowering the desired speed to something much lower. How do I get the ship to pick more weapons per space then start filling the extra space with more engines? Do I set the desired speed lower then add Misc Ability := Standard Ship Movement?

Also - before anyone asks - the must have ability 2 (Solar Resource Generation - Minerals) is for the reactors, this way ships are supplied.

Thanks all for any help!!

[Val]

If I reduce the Desired Speed to 8 (which limits it to 8 Standard movement Points generated) then add :
Num of Misc Abilities :=8
Misc Ability 8 Name := Standard Ship Movement
Misc Ability 8 Spaces Per One := 50

This gets me a ship with 2 engines-5kt ea (min req), 1 weapon-18kt (req abil 1), 1 reactor-10kt (req abil 2), then 6 more engines-5kt ea (to get to the desired 8), then 1 weapon-18kt (for the Majority Comp Abil), then 3 Engines-5kt (Standard Ship move per 50) and finally another weapon-18kt.

To get it to choose 2 weapons, then the engines, do I reduce the Majority Comp Spaces per One?

Am I going about this the right way? Any guidance?

[Suicide Junkie]

Regarding engines, the AI will:
-add bridge/LS/CQ
1) Add a count of engines equal to the minimum speed.
- add other required components
2) Add the biggest, baddest engine evailable until the thrust is at least the desired speed.
- add misc abilities.

You probably want to reduce the "desired engines" to approximately 4 * (Hull size's Engines per move).

Then add a misc ability which adds light engines to fill in space.
Spaces per one should be fairly high, about 5 to 10 times the size of the engines in question.

[Val]

Thanks, will try the 4*hull thing, I think that in combo with the additional engines will do it. Just have to be a bit more specific in telling the AI what todo

[Phoenix-D]

"You don't have conversations with microprocessers, you tell them what to do then helplessly watch the disaster when they take you literally."

Phoenix-D

[Val]

...and here I was trying to sweet talk it and give it some sim-candy