I have made extended tests with several human controlled empires, so I had the control over every action and reaction. But I have to say: Errare humanum est... I could be wrong with some observations:
quote:
Originally posted by skigrinder:
1. Is it true that if you dedicate more points to CI projects than the combined total of opponents intel projects that none of their projects will succeed against you?
2. Do I need a separate CI project for each opponent or are all opposing intel projects treated generically?
All of the accumulated CI points defeat against every (more than one) attack, even from several empires in the same turn, even if the CI points are distributed to 12 projects.
quote:
Originally posted by skigrinder:
3. It seems that if a CI project runs to completion and there are no additional CI projects in my queue, opponent’s intel projects start to succeed against me even though I have plenty of points (this usually happens because I can’t have more than 12 CI-III projects).
Is this an accurate description of reality?
No, my opinion to it is this: A CI project where you have spent points for should stay, never be completed, even if it's full. If Intel attacks occur, they should SUBSTRACT from the CI stack. If the stack is empty, intel attacks should be successful.
quote:
Originally posted by skigrinder:
4. Assuming that the above is accurate, does it make sense to create one large, long-term CI project as a repository for CI point allocation?
What I’m suggesting is the creation of a CI–IV project with a cost of something like 20M points. This project would reside in the intel queue and be responsible for all CI.
If you want to dedicate all of your points to CI, put this project at the head of the queue.
If you want to run offensive intel, put the CI-IV project at the tail of the queue.
In either case, the ‘distribute evenly’ option should be disabled.
I’ve tried this and it doesn’t feel like cheating. Please let me know what you think.
As it is now, you have a problem with it, because sometimes, I have seen it with every 2nd attack, the CI project will be completed. All your accumulated points so far would be gone, very dissatisfying if you have accumulated 200,000 points and loose them against a 5,000 point attack. But I think it would be a good idea, if Intel would work like my statement before (No. 3).
quote:
Originally posted by skigrinder:
5. If the idea listed above makes sense, what is an appropriate setting for the ‘Effect Amount’ field in this new CI-IV project?
Does this field determine how many opponent projects are countered?
If so, then this value should be a large number (12 projects from 20 opponents).
Why does this limit exist?
I don't know the meaning of 'Effect Amount' but IIRC from former test runs with several empires attacking at once, more opponent attacks are countered than this value. But I have to check this...
6. to 8. Good ideas, would be an improvement to the game (Edit: ...but shouldn't be highest priority)
First of all, I hope the Intel problems are going to be solved in one of the next patches...
[This message has been edited by PsychoTechFreak (edited 06 May 2001).]