[JLS]

Originally posted by DavidG:

so what is the "_Construction_Units.txt" file for? (i noticed not all races have this file. is it obsolete? )

The AI player will be most efficient if it has its own tailored AI files and ALL Construction Files to include UNIT file located in its Race Folder.
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Also do you know how the AI decides wether to build a facility or Vehicle/unit?

se4 v1.84

For its protecton, the AI Homeworld will build UNITS first as per the Unit Construction file at the opening few turns of the new game. So a few WPs and or many Proportions type Infantry is a good start in the AI Unit Construction Files

Then the AI's Homeworld switches to its Planet Ship Yard to build a few Ships until a BSY is built for its assistence; then it will go back and forth between Unit and Vehicle Construction (mostly Vehicle as the priority) until a Facility is lost by Combat or a possible Finite scrap and replace that facility as per the HW AI State in the Facility Construction File requirment.
~TIP~ NOTE: Units assigned to be built from the Vehicle Construction File are mostly built on your AI players Home World

New Colony for the New System: AI always build the Resupply Facility FIRST if instructed to do so for that colony in that AI state as per the Facility Construction File then may switch to a unit.
~TIP~ also note it may be recommended to place the Resupply Depot(Supply Generation) before the Spaceport in your Facility Construction file so the AI Player can refuel its ships to increase its defensive, exploration or offensive options sooner Please refer to below example.

New Colony in an already colonized System, one, more or all Resource facilities depending on its need for that resource then it will switch to a few units then go back and forth from there as needed. Other then a need for resources it will build the first Facility then switch to a Unit, as a unit is needed.

Colonies with Ship Yards; basily as above.
~TIP~ It may be best not to include to many resourse facilities for this Colony type, so it may remain focused on building ships and reserve the planet slots for System Support Facilities

Example and to recommend
SE4 _AI_Construction_Facilities

AI State := Exploration, Infrastructure, Prepare for Attack, Attack, Secure Holdings After Attack, Incursion, Prepare for Defense, Defend (Short Term), Defend (Long Term), Not Connected
Construction Queue Type := Construction Yard
Num Queue Entries := #
Facility 1 Ability := Supply Generation
Facility 1 Amount := 1
Facility 2 Ability := Space Yard
Facility 2 Amount := 1
Facility 3 Ability := Spaceport (Prioritize after shipyard what Support facilities you want for your AI)
Facility 3 Amount := 1
Facility 4 Ability := Point Generation - Research (do you really need this here for example and to consider (System Point Generation Modifier - Research) may be a better choice)
Facility 4 Amount := 1
Facility 5 Ability := Ship Training
Facility 5 Amount := 1
Facility 6 Ability := Fleet Training
Facility 6 Amount := 1
Facility 7 Ability := "~"

[ October 01, 2003, 15:11: Message edited by: JLS ]