AI performance with no fighters? (stock, TDM)

[Aub]

Does anyone know how well AI performs when you switch fighters off?

As far as I understand, one of the big improvements of modded AIs is that they realize that not researching/building fighters is equivalent to suicide. Which is for me a strong indication that fighters are a huge unbalancing factor.

I would like to try playing without them. But -- will it not cripple some AI completely? I am sure the modded AIs that rely heavily on fighters (e.g. Sergetti) will perform poorly. What about the others? Did anyone try? Maybe the modders themselves can tell me how heavily their AI relies on fighters being there?

Thanks -- Aub

[Alpha Kodiak]

The latest Version of the Rage (2.1 - posted today) is actually producing less fighters than I had intended, and they are still holding their own quite well in games with fighters, so a game without fighters should only make them stronger.

Best bet, give it a shot!

[Marty Ward]

Fighters are definately not necessary to win. In most of my games I never even research them. They do have their uses. Many people swear by them, it depends on your style of play and type of game you play, sim or tac.

[God Emperor]

I hardly ever build fighters as I play Tactical Combat and have ships heavily equipped with PDC's. The only occaisions I do build fighters are as planetary defenders.

Against human players, I believe that support fighters are necessary to support capital ships, in order to combat the tactic of massively overwhelming the point defence (which the AI is not capable of arranging).

In Strategic Combat, fighters are necessary as the computer does not include them in its threat assessment for distance calculation - ie it doesnt make sure that ships maintain maximum PDC weapons distance + fighter movement capability.

[Aub]

Are you saying the fighters are unbalanced against AI or in sim turns because the tactical AI does not know how to properly use PD cannons? Well, yea, that seems very plausible. However, since I either play against AI or sim turns multiplayer, that covers all of my games...

What is the verdict then: will turning fighters off make the AI play stronger or weaker?

Thanks -- Aub

[Marty Ward]

I would say if you fight tactically, turn them off or don't use them yourself. If you fight strategic battles it won't make much differance.