Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

Just got a copy of SE4.... on normal difficulty I am able to steam roll over the computer, every computer repetadly with minimal problems. Are they alot harder on the hard setting? Do they cheat with bonus resources ETC or play smarter?

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

It is now time for you to Play TDM mod pack http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

I will be right back with its location

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

Difficulty setting affects how many AI ministers are enabled. High means all. Low and medium have fewer ministers enabled. It does not mean that they cheat with bonuses. There is a separate setting for bonuses, to the right of Difficulty, when setting up a new game.

To get more challenging AI, try the TDM Modpack. Of course, playing against humans via PBW is far more challenging than AI can ever be.

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

A few hints on how to do better against the AI

Play against hard always - medium and easy are just to easy. Play bigger systems (200+ per map) need to mod the data files for this - do a forum search.

Play against less AI players (max 5 per 200 system map) as smaller enemies are easier to beat - if you have a few bigger enemies they get a lot bigger before bumping into each other - higher tech and they do use it.

Change youre racial modifiers

Once you get advanced and into modifing the game files you can raise the resource generation of mineral and organic production facilities - this gives you more production capacity but also more to the AI which it uses.

Fiddile with the ship yard tech and raise the number of tech levels ie lvel 1 = 2000 resource construction - level 2 2500 level 3 3000

Add up to level 10 - the extra levels i have are follows (without temporal shipyards which i also bump up in a corresponding way)
level 4 - 4000
level 5 - 5000
level 6 - 7500
level 7 - 8500
level 8 - 10000
level 9 - 12500
level 10 - 15000

These techs are later game and more expensive to research but later game with the AI both you and them can put up massive fleets (baseships) that can be pumped out very quickly and this leads to massive fleets that at least make the game Last longer.

There are all sorts of other mods that can be made to the game data files to boost the AI competitiveness - ie making intel much cheaper to research - this gives the AI access a lot earlier and you and leads to a much more less secure game - having crew insurrections early on makes the AI more underhanded etc as once they have a tech they will put them into use.

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

Wellcome to the SEIV community Lach http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Back to your original question, from before Paul tried to steal the thread with another post of cheesy tactics http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Yes, tha AI lacks a bit in killer instinct, but with the right settings and house rules it can put up quite a challenge.
- Be sure to patch up to 1.91
- Use the TDM modpack (just improved AIs)
- Always play on hardest difficulty
- The AI is handicapped in some ways, so always give them at least a small bonus to offset that.
- No neutral races
And then a few house rules:
- No trade with AI (they have no idea of the value of stuff so its too easy to sucker them)
- No suckermoves when breaking a treaty (or even better, no treaties at all)
- No minefields (the AI has no concept of mines so...)

When this become too easy, then come se us at Play By Web http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

If you want a very difficult challenge vs AIs, you could also try the Pirates & Nomads mod.

Can your little band of planet-less wanderers make it in the big, scary universe?

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

If you choose to add TDM this may make a nice FOLDER to add other hi performance AI Players, as well and play all se4 right from TDM http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Atrocities has a NEW Thread that includes SE4 AI that may be of interest you - others will explain better on their attributes but what I seen of them - it is a well put together group and with their own Ship Sets http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif


http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...;f=23;t=012066

[ July 11, 2004, 02:39: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

Mines can be put into the game but limit them to 10 per sector - or increase the amount of techs and make em cheaper - or even take em right out of the game or give allies mine sweepers then declare war on them and they use em lol.

Still play by web is best.

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

Try the "AI Team mode" in the game setting. In my experience it helps the AI a lot if he faces only one enemy (you!) instead of fighting multiple wars.

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

Ive noticed that some of the add-on races seem to be the same race twice. The description reads "offshoots" or "the military forces of". And Ive seen (mostly in error notices Im cleaning up) references which seem to point to AI preferences for alliances. Are any of these dual races setup to automatically form friendships with each other when they both appear in a game?
(if not then that would be a nice addition, the ability to preset certain automatic +/- to certain other races)

[ July 11, 2004, 13:30: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

Sadly this is not possible in SEIV, Gandalf. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Too bad. It would be interesting. I also would have loved to do the game option I had in Dominions 2 of being able to generate a game with random alliances between the AIs

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Fyron is right. PBW is the place to learn humility (speaks with deep voice of own experience). http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

Including that feature in SE5 or something even more useful would be good.

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

Do not glass planets. Instead only capture them. It is much harder.

When you do go to PBW expect to have a lot of nice shiny time pieces as the more vetran players clean your clock.

Truthfully there are a lot of vetran players who will be happy to help you as well and there are frequently "newbie" games running.

You can also PBEM with someone to mentor you.

I'd offer but I am too unreliable.

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

I agree with using the TDM pack if you're playing solo, that's about the only mod I use for SP. And of course, up the difficulty and bonus. One other thing I do that's not mentioned here is to not use all your racial points during setup or somehow otherwise 'handicap' your race. If you're playing a 5000 point game, only use 2500 or something like that. Or better yet, don't use any and use all the default racial settings - don't adjust your points any and see if that changes anything; I bet it does http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif .

With a little tweaking and imagination, you *can* make solo play challenging and yet not have a 'cheating' AI.

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

Not recommended for new Players.

I also like Solo Play with the AI Campaign MOD and I never felt cheated http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

AIC

Re: Difficulty... is the computer too easy?
 

I think the AI don't cheat. But you are far better than it.