Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

I guess if you gave the AI bonuses it would increase the challenge. However, I think that on most settings, the AI gets the same advantages (or disadvantages) as you. So IMO, setting "colonize same planet type / atmos" does nothing but slow the game down. If this is NOT the case, then it would be worth playing IMO (again just my opinion).

EDIT: I normally play most of those settings anyways. However, I NEVER play low tech and no WP's together - you gotta' play at least 100+ turns just to get outa' your system!!!! If I play no WP's, I'll move up to med tech - other then that, I usually play those settings. I guess I'm saying, that those things are cool as long as you can turn 'em off and on - for me right now, they're off...

[This message has been edited by rdouglass (edited 02 March 2001).]

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

Does using no warp points force the AI to use stellar manipulation items?

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

>>>I guess if you gave the AI bonuses it would increase the challenge. However, I think that on most settings, the AI gets the same advantages (or disadvantages) as you. So IMO, setting "colonize same planet type / atmos" does nothing but slow the game down. If this is NOT the case, then it would be worth playing IMO (again just my opinion).

If you want this setting. (They AI can colonize anywhere but you can't) Then DON'T choose this setting so the AI won't be limited, and then just don't (throught the amazing thing called self control) colonize any planets that aren't you home type and atmosphere.

BTW, turning on this option ISN'T the equivalent of just slowing the game down. It actually has effects on game play too. Normally I might blow away annoying enemy colonies and then colonize them myself later. Now if that enemy breathes a different atmosphere, I'm going out of my way to drop troops or get that planet through diplomacy cause if I destroy it, The planet is dead to me forever. It makes diplomacy or troops (with an unreasonable opponent) more important to your strategy. Especially when dealing with outlying worlds of a large empire, troops will be more important because it'll be harder to threaten the world out of the AI.

[This message has been edited by Lastseer (edited 02 March 2001).]

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lastseer:
....Now if that enemy breathes a different atmosphere, I'm going out of my way to drop troops or get that planet through diplomacy cause if I destroy it, The planet is dead to me forever...
...troops will be more important because it'll be harder to threaten the world out of the AI.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Awesome point - one that I had not considered at all!!! I now see the light and am looking forward to trying that. I had rarely ever used troops (really never saw the need) and now they could definitely be important..

I guess that's why the forum is here...so I can see past my thumbs... http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/blush.gif

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

Lastseer: I did this to see what effect it would have on gameplay. It IS slow but...I was stuck way behind several layers of blank systems and a damaging warp point, which most definitely affected the game. I will try again (as soon as I test the silicoids a bit) and see if I can't get a bit more open start.

I will say, as I said before, the AI were really knocking the stuffing out of each other while I fumed in the corner http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pathfinder:
AI setup by way of new race within the game is same and the AI gets the same setup as the human does. and yes, I am having a very slow game...the AI ARE spanking the doo-doo outta ech though http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

I ain't big enuf to pick-on ...yet...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hmmm, "not big enough" I've (as we all) had the AI come after me when I've had 2 planets (then only 1 after)
Mott

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

hehe...they're more worried about the Terran 30+ dreadnaught fleet http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif than my little 4-LC fleet...

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Nitram Draw:
Does using no warp points force the AI to use stellar manipulation items?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I regularly play games with No Warp Points, Finite Resources, AIs set to High numbers and Difficult. So far, I've stomped the AIs every single time, even with giving them a low or medium tech bonus. I'm playing the stock Version 1.27. They never use stellar manipulation in any games I've played. They regularly beat me to Stellar Manipulation level 3, but refuse to build a simple ship to take advantage of it. I've tried to change the default AIDesignCreation file to change this, but to no avail. Meanwhile, I build a simple ship based on a Frigate hull with GQRI and not much else, and am expanding like crazy while the AIs sit in their systems, foolishly use their resources up, and then just wait to be conquered.

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

Play on high bonus. Then, they actually build the SM ships. They still don't use them. But at least they build them. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by raynor:
Play on high bonus. Then, they actually build the SM ships. They still don't use them. But at least they build them. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

But what sort of design do they use? I've taken a peek at their designs, and they're all based on Cruiser hulls, with lots of shields, armor, and some weapons. As a result, that annoying message "Insufficient Technology" always pops up. Meanwhile I build a simple SM ship and use other bigger ships to protect it when I open warp points to unexplored systems. By the time they get the tech to build their Cruiser SM ship, they've run out of resources, since they flatly refuse to build the necessary storage capacity to save them up to pay maintenance.

I'll give it a try though, and see what happens.