AI Races Expand Too Slowly.

[Marty Ward]

There is a mod that increases weapons platform range, Dev mod includes it. You should try that, PPB with range 12, APB with range 15. Tough to get close to a planet with this mod. Also, in the empire window you can remove the check mark to clear movement orders when entering a system with enemie in it.
As far as AI's being slow to grow I think with the number of possible starting conditions that the only way to overcome this is to have different AI files for different types of play, ie a fast expansion Version, a strong military Version, etc. but that would be a lot of work to make and set up.
I would guess that the most common set up is large mid-life and most people seem to play large quadrant so the AI should be based on this.

[God Emperor]

As Daynarr and Alpha Kodiak have indicated, controlling the expansion rate of the AI is a fine balancing act. With the Romulans, Klingons etc, I ended up putting in an extended queue in the Construction_Vehicles file for Exploration state in order to get bases, colonisers and warships built in the right order. I also extensively modified the queues for the other AI states.
Also, the AI really does seem to need a low bonus as a minimum in order to operate well (even mod pack races), so anyone not playing without a bonus should consider doing so.

Finally, I also agree that planetary defense weapons are basically crap - hence the fact that I designed the Klingons not to use WP's, Defense Bases and Satellites. They do build lots of fighters instead though...
Might give Devnulls mod a try down the track though just to make life interesting....

[This message has been edited by God Emperor (edited 28 May 2001).]

As an Ancient race I know what is worth colonizing. So on the very first turn I plan what will be my first 39 colonies. As the AI explores, it should keep a list of the 20 (At least) highest production potential planets known, and update the list with every change to its map. Each entry is marked as pending with a note of the scheduled planet when production starts. Then in transit when built, and finally taken off the list when planted. That may require a code change to the colonization minister, but would not be affected by quadrant size and richness of the environment. It might also solve the problem of forced production on low quality minerals when it should be doing high quality organics or radioactives.

[Sinapus]

Actually, weapon platforms are useful if you have the mod that increases the ranges of platform-based weapon mounts, that is.

Of course, the main problem is that the AI doens't jettison obsolete platforms and build replacements with the latest tech for that turn. 30-50 turn old designs should get rid of the seriously outdated ones while keeping the obsolescent ones in place til the new ones get built.

That and maybe some way to get the AI to build planetary defenses in some way that doesn't overload their cargo storage.

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"What do -you- want?" "I'd like to live -just- long enough to be there when they cut off your head and stick it on a pike as a warning to the next ten generations that some favors come with too high a price. I would look up into your lifeless eyes and wave like this..." *waggle* "...can you and your associates arrange that for me, Mr. Morden?"

[This message has been edited by Sinapus (edited 28 May 2001).]

[Marty Ward]

In a high tech game the AI can build some nasty Weapons Platforms, especially with the range increase mods. Neutrals build Large WP with 2 heavy WMG on each, range 17 damage 420. Try attacking a planet with 6+ of these, you WILL take some damage closing on with the planet. The Dev mod also increases the range of the Satellites. Between WP and Sats, attacking planets is no piece of cake anymore.
It would be nice if every so many turns the AI checked to see if their WP were in need of replacement with better ones. Maybe these units should be given the ability to upgrade like ships. It would certainly help the AI's defense ability.

Bump.
Have the AI for the newest TDM been modified to increase their expansion rate as requested here ?

[Mephisto]

Yes, at least my races.

quote:

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Originally posted by LCC:
Bump.
Have the AI for the newest TDM been modified to increase their expansion rate as requested here ?

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