Organic AI not using organic armor in max-tech game

Alpha Kodiak · #1 June 11th, 2001, 07:54 AM

I am working on an organic race AI and encountered a small problem. I have set up the larger ship designs to have significant amounts of organic armor and less than usual amounts of shields. This works well in normal games.

Then I started up a max-tech game and discovered that the AI wants to put scattering armor in the design because it is "better" armor. The biggest problem is that since scattering armor takes 50 kT instead of 30 kT for organic, it is causing the designs to dedicate too much space to armor, leaving other components out that should be in. Also, since the design is relying on the regenerative properties of organic armor, the whole concept of the design is out of balance.

Does anyone know how I can force the AI to use organic armor in this situation?

henk brouwer · #2 June 11th, 2001, 07:58 AM

I think organic armor has an abbility named "regenerative armor" you should include this ability in your ship designs instead of armor and it should work fine. (it did for me)

Edit:

Huh? Im a corporal! Cool!!!

[This message has been edited by henk brouwer (edited 11 June 2001).]

Deathstalker · #3 June 11th, 2001, 08:40 AM

yep, for organic armour subb in the value 'Armor Regeneration', and for crystal armor it is 'Shield Generation From Damage'. Hard to get used to, but there it is. you can even set the armour in the ship design to 0, this will make it use ONLY the organic armour that you set later.(or set the shields to 0, then it will have no shields, only armor).

------------------
"The Empress took your name away," said Chance.
Owen smiled coldly. "It wasn't hers to take. I'm a Deathstalker until I die. And we never forget a slight or an enemy." -Owen Deathstalker.

Alpha Kodiak · #4 June 11th, 2001, 04:59 PM

Cool! Thanks for the info. Now I have to wait 8 hours at work before I can go home and try it.

Atraikius · #5 June 11th, 2001, 06:05 PM

Same thing works for Emmisive armor and scattering armor. Did notice some funny effects when trying to make a design use all three - was occasionally flipping back to normal armor - havn't figured that out yet.

Alpha Kodiak · #6 June 11th, 2001, 09:53 PM

The AI will fill in with standard armor if it does not have room for the larger "exotic" armors.

PurpleRhino · #7 June 11th, 2001, 09:56 PM

Anybody know how to make the AI use JUST the normal armor? All the mine seem to want to use the scattering...

DirectorTsaarx · #8 June 11th, 2001, 10:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PurpleRhino:
Anybody know how to make the AI use JUST the normal armor? All the mine seem to want to use the scattering...

Try setting the "Scanner Jammer" ability to zero in the ship design; I wouldn't guarantee that this would work, but it may be worth a shot...

Atraikius · #9 June 12th, 2001, 12:33 PM

Alpha Kodiak - Thats what I though at first, but, it had placed 4 normal - the only thing I could think of is that it was placing the stealth armor for the 'armor' entry, so when it had spare room it would place normal armor since it can only use one stealth - not sure on that though.