AI is one thing that has a lot of growth potential in SE5.
SE4 AIs were very weak before TDM...
And until Rollo made the AIs for CBmod, I'd never seen any reason to not use the high bonus (5x multiplier). In CB, a no bonus, level playing field is a challenge
Half the challenge is from good AIs, but half the challenge is also due to having a balanced mod with no cheap tricks available (including no tactical combat, leaky shields/armor/point defense).
SE5 has only a little more complexity than SE4, and a *lot* more potential power in the AI routines.
Mods and AIs are things that will come from the community, and Aaron can't directly help much with that.
AIs WILL come, just be patient and play more SE4.
Also, try to get into multiplayer, even if it is only a twice-weekly game.
PS:
Outer hull *is* hit before inner hull.
You could change directional damage to random damage, but that wouldn't really help any.
Also, there are no firing arcs. (Some models can't fire in certain directions, which is really a shipset problem)
And consider simul move and strategic combat; Tactical = cheating if you're playing against AIs.