SUGGESTION: AI troop building algorithm

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by proteus:
It is a good game with a good AI.
But I still recommend HoMM3. Awesome AI. Not as many units/spells like in Dom2, but still lot of different units/spells.
Also in Doms2, the majority of the units are 'useless', just like the spells.
Quantity <<< Quality.

Wow you really should play more. In 5 or 6 more years you will learn to say things like 'useless to me' instead of useless. I have found very little in the game that is useless but it has take about a year of purposely looking at things that seemed that way in order to find how they might be used. A player has to find the nation/strategy that fits their playing style (and then of course the rest would be useless to them)

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by HotNifeThruButr:
Galactic Civilizations? I bought that game and thought it was a waste of 30 bucks. Didn't give it much of a chance though.

For nearly a decade GalCiv has been mentioned in scientific papers and serious discussions about Artificial Intelligence. Its the game built around AI algorythms. The original OS/2 Version mostly but now that Windows can do multi-threaded tasking (kindof) Brad has tried to port it to Windows. Its still a work in progress. I own a copy but I must admit Im kindof waiting for the game itself to get more interesting to make the AI worthwhile

[proteus]

That is true...you were right, this was my example. pI am never using LI for example, but maybe it is useful as well, just not for the AI.]

[Arralen]

Originally posted by Kristoffer O:
Hmm, it's a bit difficult to follow without graphical representation.

ok, here it is:


[ May 28, 2004, 15:26: Message edited by: Arralen ]

[Arralen]

I'll continue the test game this weekend.
Meanwhile here are some improvements to the (pseudo-)code:

code:

---

[if there are multiple troops that fit a condition, mix equally,

      starting with the most ressource-costly first]

[bless effect=true IF 3 pathes @4 OR 1@6/1@4 OR 1@9 or better]



0)  IF ERMOR(Ash, Soul)OR PANGAEA(CarrWoods) GOTO 2)

    CALL BUILDCASTLE     



    IF (availablemoney) STILL >400 

        BUILD lab where's a special commander(mage) to build

    IF (availablemoney) STILL >(templecost*2)

        BUILD temple at

         - prov. that offers special holy commanders (mages, priest=3, dunno)

         - prov. that have a castle

    IF (numberofprovinces)>(numberofcastles)*4

     AND   ((turnnumber)-(numberofcastles)*10)*10%=true SAVEMONEYTURN=true; SKIP 1-3)





1)  Build troops at home province

     - IF prophet=false BUILD priest-3 or better

     - most expensive mage commander (80%:max. 1/2 of available money/ 20%: max.3/4)

     - assassin/spy/bard etc. IF ((turnnumber)-5)*10%=true

     - priest w/o magic IF (turnnumber)>(numberofpriests)*3

     - most heavily armored commander IF (turnnumber)>5 AND 'unusedleadership'<10

     - scout (50 - (turnnumber)*2)%



     - holy troop IF (bless effect)=true AND 3 pieces possible

     - heavy troopsress)>14 with (strat move)>1, best move first IF 2 pieces possible

     - heavy troopsress)>14 IF 3 pieces

     - medium troops: (ress)>10 IF 3 pieces

     - archers: IF Long-/Compound Bow





2) build troops at castles [highest ress value goes first]

     - most expensive mage commander (max. 1/2 of available money)

     - assassin/spy/bard etc. IF ((turnnumber)-5)*10%=true

     - priest w/o magic IF (turnnumber)>(numberofpriests)*3

     - most heavily armored commander IF (turnnumber)>5 AND 'unusedleadership'<10

     - scout (50%)



     - holy troop IF (bless effect)=true AND 3 pieces possible

     - heavy troopsress)>14 with (strat move)>1, best move first IF 2 pieces possible

     - heavy troopsress)>14 IF 3 pieces

     - medium troops: (ress)>10 IF 3 pieces

     - archers: IF Long-/Compound Bow



     

3)  Build special troops [in non-fortress prov]

     - special commanders IF mage

       OR

       IF special troops ARE undead, amphibic, flyers, stealthy

     - build as many special troops as ressources, (availablemoney)/2, (commandvalue) allows



 

4)  Build patrols at province w/o castle and less than 20 troops on patrol

     IF 

         borders enemy prov.

      OR has lab, but no castle

      OR has only 2 land neighbours

      OR has 3 neighbours, but only 1 owned

     

     THAN BUILD

     - most mobile commander IF (numberoftroops)>(commandvalue)

     - highest movement troop[for patrol]





5)  Build troops at all castled prov. [high ress value first]

     - light troops: (ress)>7 IF 3 pieces

     - fill with light archers/slingers



6)  Build troops in prov

     IF 

         borders enemy prov.

      OR has lab, but no castle

      OR has only 2 land neighbours

      OR has 3 neighbours, but only 1 owned

    - heaviest inf (50%)

    - archers (no matter what)

---

[Arralen]

I must admit - it's not only Gandalf who can't play as an AI would, strictly follwing the 'build script' .. I can't do it either. After 6..10 turns I simply screw up .. either I overlook something I'm supposed to do, or I start doing things I shouldn't

So if there's anyone out there interested in an AI that does not only build Light Infantry, please test this building script. If it works well, the devs may put something similar into the game, maybe.

[ioticus]

Where do I get this mod, and how do I install it?