Targeting efficiency

Pocus · #1 October 10th, 2003, 09:48 PM

Hopefully the AI is smarter in dominions II, from the accounts of the beta testers.

Does it still fall to the trick of firing massively against a forward milicia man (weaving a target here flag).

Can the beta testers tell us if they already identified some loopholes, do they have cheesy tactics against independants provinces? In doms I it was common usage to have some arrow bait forward of your army when confronting provinces heavy on archers.

Maelstorm · #2 October 10th, 2003, 10:30 PM

I hope that the Dominions 2. AI will be lot better, since the Dominions 1. AI sucked monkey balls.

Aristoteles · #3 October 11th, 2003, 09:56 PM

Illwinter must focus on the AI, but really. Doms II. + decent AI = ownage!

LordArioch · #4 October 11th, 2003, 11:57 PM

Actually based on how many times new players get beaten by the easy dominions AI, maybe they should make an easier AI setting.

But yes, the combat AI had some flaws...very noticible when your troops get hurt because of it.

Psitticine · #5 October 12th, 2003, 01:19 AM

The missile AI seems to target Groups now, as that's more efficient, but it'll go after single targets it they are high-priority or simply the only things within range.

On a missile-related side-note, I had a pleasant surprise the other day. I was playing as Man against Ulm, and was rather surprised when the AI cast Arrow Fend since the opposing side had no missile Users. Right after that, my horde of Longbowmen opened fire on the clashing melee line, inflicting no casualties because of the Arrow Fend but absolutely demolishing the opposition. I'd never seen (or maybe just never noticed) it doing that before, and it was beautiful!

Saber Cherry · #6 October 12th, 2003, 01:32 AM

Good god, archers might become ... USEFUL!

Pocus · #7 October 12th, 2003, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Psitticine:
The missile AI seems to target Groups now, as that's more efficient, but it'll go after single targets it they are high-priority or simply the only things within range.

On a missile-related side-note, I had a pleasant surprise the other day. I was playing as Man against Ulm, and was rather surprised when the AI cast Arrow Fend since the opposing side had no missile Users. Right after that, my horde of Longbowmen opened fire on the clashing melee line, inflicting no casualties because of the Arrow Fend but absolutely demolishing the opposition. I'd never seen (or maybe just never noticed) it doing that before, and it was beautiful!

arrow fend to prevent friendly fire? Thats cute indeed.

Mortifer · #8 October 13th, 2003, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maelstorm:
I hope that the Dominions 2. AI will be lot better.

You must be kidding, the Doms I. AI was lot better than the AI of the current strategy games. Try a medium map with 3-6 AIs on the highest level. You will be owned. Yeah a human can beat the AI in 1v1, but if more (4+) AIs are set, it is LOT harder to win, you need luck.
+ The Doms II AI will rock some booties if true, so maybe even the 1v1 AI will kick you hard!

[ October 14, 2003, 04:00: Message edited by: Psitticine ]

Jasper · #9 October 14th, 2003, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mortifer:

quote:
Originally posted by Maelstorm:
I hope that the Dominions 2. AI will be lot better.

You must be kidding, the Doms I. AI was lot better than the AI of the current strategy games. Try a medium map with 3-6 AIs on the highest level. You will be owned. Yeah a human can beat the AI in 1v1, but if more (4+) AIs are set, it is LOT harder to win, you need luck.
+ The Doms II AI will rock some booties if true, so maybe even the 1v1 AI will kick you hard!

No, I don't think he is kidding. I've talked to lots of people who have no problem stomping all over the Dom 1 AI, despite the fact it starts out with an advantage over human players. It's not bad, but it doesn't particularily appear to be better than other similar games either. I'd say both the Aow2 and Warlords 3 AIs are better.

I find the AI easy to abuse, and only difficult when you have lots of AI players + Ermor. The other AIs have no clue how to fight Ermor, which proceeds to have free reign and potentially grow quite large before you face it.

It's been a while since I've played solitaire Dom 1, but as I recall the AIs just don't expand very fast, and aren't tactically prepared when battle is joined.

[ October 14, 2003, 07:14: Message edited by: Jasper ]

DominionsFan · #10 October 14th, 2003, 09:53 AM

Yes well, the Dominions II. supposed to be lot better, if true...we shall see.