Shield regenerator tweaks

[Tenryu]

I've done two things with Shield Regeneration in my personal mod I'm trying to make compatable with the TDM AIs. I mess with the components, compenhancements, tech area, and vehicle sizes files, then see if the TDM AIs will play nice with the changes.

Maybe some of you might find it interesting.

1. I added the SHIELD REGENERATION ability to my Phased shields. The values are 2, 4, 6, 8 for Versions I, II, III, and IV, respectively.

2. I added the Restriction, One Per Ship, to the Shield Regenerators. They have the regen values of 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, and become available at Shields Research Levels 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10.

I'm about to play a game with them. I think the AI will use them, as expected, and without trouble. I like them because I think they will be useful and in the game earlier without being overpowering.

[Suicide Junkie]

Did you delete the phased shield 5's?

It seems to me that these regenerators will be extremely valuable in the early game, and then fade in importance by the end game.
The effectiveness compared to shields decreases already, and then at higher techs you will also be using huge ships with many generators, diluting the effect of the regen.

This idea looks promising.

[ June 09, 2002, 14:35: Message edited by: Suicide Junkie ]

[Tenryu]

Well, SJ, the answer is yes and no. Since I've modded most of the file thus far, with the notable exception of weapons(very complicated and I figured they had to be done AFTER I'm happy with everything else).

I hate doing this but the easiest thing is for me to paste up my ship shield set. Of course, they need to be viewed in context of armor values and size, but for what it's worth, here they are :

Name := Shield Generator I
Description := Generator which creates an energy field around a starship preventing damage.
Pic Num := 31
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 25
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\WeapPlat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 0
Restrictions := None
General Group := Shields
Family := 11
Roman Numeral := 1
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 1
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 1
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Shield Generation
Ability 1 Descr := Generates 50 shield points.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 50
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Shield Generator II
Description := Generator which creates an energy field around a starship preventing damage.
Pic Num := 31
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 50
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\WeapPlat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 0
Restrictions := None
General Group := Shields
Family := 11
Roman Numeral := 2
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 2
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 2
Tech Area Req 2 := Ship Construction
Tech Level Req 2 := 2
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Shield Generation
Ability 1 Descr := Generates 100 shield points.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 100
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Shield Generator III
Description := Generator which creates an energy field around a starship preventing damage.
Pic Num := 31
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 75
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\WeapPlat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 0
Restrictions := None
General Group := Shields
Family := 11
Roman Numeral := 3
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 2
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 3
Tech Area Req 2 := Ship Construction
Tech Level Req 2 := 3
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Shield Generation
Ability 1 Descr := Generates 150 shield points.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 150
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Phased - Shield Generator I
Description := Generator which creates an energy field that cannot be penetrated by phased weapons.
Pic Num := 33
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 100
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\WeapPlat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 0
Restrictions := None
General Group := Shields
Family := 11
Roman Numeral := 1
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 3
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 4
Tech Area Req 2 := Physics
Tech Level Req 2 := 1
Tech Area Req 3 := Ship Construction
Tech Level Req 3 := 4
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Phased Shield Generation
Ability 1 Descr := Generates 175 phased shield points.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 175
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Phased - Shield Generator II
Description := Generator which creates an energy field that cannot be penetrated by phased weapons.
Pic Num := 33
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 125
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\WeapPlat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 0
Restrictions := None
General Group := Shields
Family := 11
Roman Numeral := 2
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 3
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 5
Tech Area Req 2 := Physics
Tech Level Req 2 := 2
Tech Area Req 3 := Ship Construction
Tech Level Req 3 := 6
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Phased Shield Generation
Ability 1 Descr := Generates 200 phased shield points.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 200
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Phased - Shield Generator III
Description := Generator which creates an energy field that cannot be penetrated by phased weapons.
Pic Num := 33
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 150
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\WeapPlat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 0
Restrictions := None
General Group := Shields
Family := 11
Roman Numeral := 3
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 3
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 6
Tech Area Req 2 := Physics
Tech Level Req 2 := 2
Tech Area Req 3 := Ship Construction
Tech Level Req 3 := 8
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Phased Shield Generation
Ability 1 Descr := Generates 225 phased shield points.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 225
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Regenerating Phased - Shield I
Description := Generator which creates an energy field that cannot be penetrated by phased weapons.
Pic Num := 33
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 175
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\WeapPlat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 0
Restrictions := None
General Group := Shields
Family := 11
Roman Numeral := 1
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 3
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 7
Tech Area Req 2 := Physics
Tech Level Req 2 := 2
Tech Area Req 3 := Ship Construction
Tech Level Req 3 := 8
Number of Abilities := 2
Ability 1 Type := Phased Shield Generation
Ability 1 Descr := Generates 250 phased shield points.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 250
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Ability 2 Type := Shield Regeneration
Ability 2 Descr := Regenerates 4 shield points per turn.
Ability 2 Val 1 := 4
Ability 2 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Regenerating Phased - Shield II
Description := Generator which creates an energy field that cannot be penetrated by phased weapons.
Pic Num := 33
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 200
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\WeapPlat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 0
Restrictions := None
General Group := Shields
Family := 11
Roman Numeral := 2
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 3
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 8
Tech Area Req 2 := Physics
Tech Level Req 2 := 2
Tech Area Req 3 := Ship Construction
Tech Level Req 3 := 8
Number of Abilities := 2
Ability 1 Type := Phased Shield Generation
Ability 1 Descr := Generates 275 phased shield points.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 275
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Ability 2 Type := Shield Regeneration
Ability 2 Descr := Regenerates 6 shield points per turn.
Ability 2 Val 1 := 6
Ability 2 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Regenerating Phased - Shield III
Description := Generator which creates an energy field that cannot be penetrated by phased weapons.
Pic Num := 33
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 225
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\WeapPlat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 0
Restrictions := None
General Group := Shields
Family := 11
Roman Numeral := 3
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 3
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 9
Tech Area Req 2 := Physics
Tech Level Req 2 := 2
Tech Area Req 3 := Ship Construction
Tech Level Req 3 := 8
Number of Abilities := 2
Ability 1 Type := Phased Shield Generation
Ability 1 Descr := Generates 300 phased shield points.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 300
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Ability 2 Type := Shield Regeneration
Ability 2 Descr := Regenerates 8 shield points per turn.
Ability 2 Val 1 := 8
Ability 2 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Regenerating Phased - Shield IV
Description := Generator which creates an energy field that cannot be penetrated by phased weapons.
Pic Num := 33
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 250
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\WeapPlat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 0
Restrictions := None
General Group := Shields
Family := 11
Roman Numeral := 4
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 3
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 10
Tech Area Req 2 := Physics
Tech Level Req 2 := 2
Tech Area Req 3 := Ship Construction
Tech Level Req 3 := 8
Number of Abilities := 2
Ability 1 Type := Phased Shield Generation
Ability 1 Descr := Generates 325 phased shield points.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 325
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Ability 2 Type := Shield Regeneration
Ability 2 Descr := Regenerates 10 shield points per turn.
Ability 2 Val 1 := 10
Ability 2 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Shield Regenerator I
Description := Regenerates shields each combat turn.
Pic Num := 34
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 100
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 10
Restrictions := One Per Vehicle
General Group := Shields
Family := 12
Roman Numeral := 1
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 1
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 2
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Shield Regeneration
Ability 1 Descr := Regenerates 50 shield points per turn.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 50
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Shield Regenerator II
Description := Regenerates shields each combat turn.
Pic Num := 34
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 125
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 10
Restrictions := One Per Vehicle
General Group := Shields
Family := 12
Roman Numeral := 2
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 1
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 4
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Shield Regeneration
Ability 1 Descr := Regenerates 75 shield points per turn.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 75
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Shield Regenerator III
Description := Regenerates shields each combat turn.
Pic Num := 34
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 150
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 10
Restrictions := One Per Vehicle
General Group := Shields
Family := 12
Roman Numeral := 3
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 1
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 6
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Shield Regeneration
Ability 1 Descr := Regenerates 100 shield points per turn.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 100
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Shield Regenerator IV
Description := Regenerates shields each combat turn.
Pic Num := 34
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 175
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 10
Restrictions := One Per Vehicle
General Group := Shields
Family := 12
Roman Numeral := 4
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 1
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 8
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Shield Regeneration
Ability 1 Descr := Regenerates 125 shield points per turn.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 125
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

Name := Shield Regenerator V
Description := Regenerates shields each combat turn.
Pic Num := 34
Tonnage Space Taken := 20
Tonnage Structure := 40
Cost Minerals := 100
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 200
Vehicle Type := Ship\Base\Sat\Drone
Supply Amount Used := 10
Restrictions := One Per Vehicle
General Group := Shields
Family := 12
Roman Numeral := 5
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 1
Tech Area Req 1 := Shields
Tech Level Req 1 := 10
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Shield Regeneration
Ability 1 Descr := Regenerates 150 shield points per turn.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 150
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

[ June 09, 2002, 15:36: Message edited by: Tenryu ]

[Suicide Junkie]

My point was that for early on in the game, you would have small ships with a short time (2 turns with shield II + regen 1) to regenerate shields, but later on, you would have ships with 1000's of shield points, and they would take forever to regenerate.

The regenerator will always be worth the space, but it will seem very limited on large ships.

One thing for sure: When the next patch comes out, make a shield regenerator mount! That would make your system scale very well to large ships without allowing massive regeneration on small ships.

[Baron Munchausen]

Note: The AI does not recognize the 'one per vehicle' restriction. You'll have to change your *_AI_DesignCreation files to require only one regenerator per ship in order to make the AI follow the same restriction that players are under.

[ June 09, 2002, 16:33: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]

[Tenryu]

Interesting, Baron, I am seeing the AIs observe the limit. Before I put the restriction in some were sticking 5 or 6 regenerators on. Now I am seeing them install only one. Seems to be working, albeit, I haven't had time to give it extensive testing as yet.

My current game hasn't got me to even physics 1 yet, as I had to spend alot of r&d on guns, missiles and ship size. Started two and three systems away from the Colonials and some 'Blue Scum' missile Users. My people rejoice, however, since I am Bloodthirsty. LOL!

[Baron Munchausen]

Well, we never know what Aaron is going to get around to next, since he's got so many requests pending. Maybe he's introduced a fix to make the AI respect those limits recently? I don't recall seeing it in the history.txt but then not everything gets put in there.