[Master Belisarius]

I think that Rollo is right, about the races that currently can take over planets.

When I did the Aquilaeian AI scripts, I wanted to use the Transport Troops as resupply / repair ships, but also, to take over small colonies.

With the Troop Transports, I can see two problems:

1) The AI have not an strategic view, then, is not very wise selecting planets to take over.
For example, Rollo showed me a savegame, where the Vikings tried to take over a planet without hope for two reasons:
a) The Planet was well defended.
b) The owner of the planet (the human player), had a lot of ships inside the same system (a lot more ships than the Viking AI), and then, although if the Viking fleet would had success conquering the planet, the human player would have destroyed the colony at the next turn.

An human player, never would tried to take over such planet!

Also, after manage the situation to allow the Vikings take over the planet (scrapping the defenses), after conquer the planet they removed the attaking fleet, leaving without protection the planet... inside a system with a lot of enemy planets/ships.

2) The second problem is that after full the Troop Transport with troops, the Troops Transports will remain placed without do anything, over the Last planet were loaded the troops... and only will join into a fleet, if by chance a fleet go trough the system.
It mean that sometimes, you will see inactive Troop Transports... just waiting for a fleet to join!

The good thing is that every AI can take over planets: you only need to indicate to the AI, research troops, and then, build some troops and Troop Transports. You don't need more!

[This message has been edited by Master Belisarius (edited 25 August 2001).]