Making a more challenging game

pathfinder · #1 March 6th, 2001, 02:24 AM

I usually use tactical combat but set it to auto.

Another challenging but SLOW game is allow only colonize same atmosphere and/or type planet as homeworld during game setup. Even if you research another planet-type, you won't be able to colonize it.

rbyrd · #2 March 6th, 2001, 01:42 PM

Once I start a game I hate to not use every means at my disposal to win. What I find helps some is to use a 2K empire file for yourself, but give the computer players 5K. There are a couple in the 1.6 mod where the computer is a little more tough, (I noticed they took away political points for other areas). Even the missile AI for some of the races in the mod is getting better.

I also use the only colonize home planet type option. Without this the first thing I would do is find a races with the other types so that I could quickly colonize all three types of worlds without spending the time on the research.

I'm still unhappy with the tactical combat. It is a problem with the move shot move system, so I am tempted to start my next game and use only strategic combat to make things a little tougher.

Baal · #3 March 6th, 2001, 04:30 PM

My idea on making a tough game is choose 10 planets to begin with, high bonous, high difficulty and have random neutrals on. Start the game and switch to be one of the neutral players.

It sure is tough to have so little research/resources to work with and being 10 times smaller than the rest of the empires.

raynor · #4 March 6th, 2001, 05:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Baal:
My idea on making a tough game is choose 10 planets to begin with, high bonous, high difficulty and have random neutrals on. Start the game and switch to be one of the neutral players.

It sure is tough to have so little research/resources to work with and being 10 times smaller than the rest of the empires.

Awesome! Thanks for this tip.

Before I try it... tell me you've won playing this way...

seldon99 · #5 March 7th, 2001, 10:13 AM

Ok, I'd say that giving all of the empires 10 planets and high bonus would make the game more than challenging maybe impossible :-)

I found a couple of the suggestions useful, thanks First, picking the races was critical I found the Sergenti (sp) to be good opponent. I ended giving the computer 3000 points, using only 2000 myself, and giving the computer a low bonus.

Every once in a while the AI in MOO2, Alien Crossfire, or Imperialism would surprise me by doing something smart. Unfortunately, the AI in SEIV constantly surprises by doing dumb things.

I have 5 Destroyers guarding my forward base, the enemy has 6 Frigates on a warp point. I can only reach the warp with 3 ships. I wait. I expect maybe the computer to attack me. But NO, it divides itself into 3 fleets and positions them near my base. I quickly wipe them out with no losses.

Same game, different opponent. 4 Destroyer plus satellites guard a base. Opponent has two fleets of 4 cruisers seperated by a few squares. Does it wait a turn an attack combined, of course not it launch 2 attacks on different turns and is wiped out.

Concentration of forces is pretty elementary strategy and AI for other games have been able to figure it out...