My AI Design Q&A

[JLS]

Originally posted by Master Belisarius:

Defend Short Term: The most important thing

Absolutely MB, I agree.
This is by far the most Critical of all the States to set up.

Actually the entire Prepare for Defense, Defend (Short Term) upto the Defend (Long Term) AI State falls under this need, for that AI; to do its best to oust the intruder; ASAP. (*See Note)

If it is unable, this AI has, in essence; resigned, to defend it-self with a costly, Defend (Long Term) State
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(*Note):
Without this AI designer, distorting and/or undermining the se4 or MODS, LOGICAL total Combat(or Design TYPE) Ship PPI and MHAL Parameters.

[ June 22, 2003, 23:27: Message edited by: JLS ]

[cybersol]

MB and JLS, thanks for both of your very helpful comments explaining more about AI state to me. I am beginning to have enough of an understanding to break out construction queues in more detail. Here are my thoughts so far.

Right now I'm using these 3 groupings:
Exploration

Not Connected

Infrastructure, Prepare for Attack, Attack, Incursion, Prepare for Defense, Defend (Short Term), Defend (Long Term), Secure Holdings After Attack

I'm considering the following 6 groupings:
Exploration

Not Connected

Infrastructure

Secure Holdings After Attack

Prepare for Attack, Attack, Incursion

Prepare for Defense, Defend (Short Term), Defend (Long Term)

In the new groupings, I broke out Exploration and Not Connected for critical early game considerations. I broke out infrastructure because its the only relatively peaceful mid-game state. I broke out secure holdings after attack to emphasize a little extra colonization (but not as much as exploration), and with expectations of another attack soon. Finally I group the aggressive states together, and the defensive states together.

What do you guys think of those 6 groupings?

[Rollo]

I would suggest the following groupings:
1) Exploration

2) Infrastructure, Defend (Short Term) - this is your main game plan. Depending on the plan for your AI you could include Exploration as well. I have done that a couple of times lately.

3) Prepare for Attack, Attack - I use this mainly to churn out warships and with higher priority for troops and transports. But it really depends on the overall strategy of your AI what you do here exactly. High priority for fighters, carriers and fleet support ships also work good here as well as building more mine sweepers. Like I said, it mainly depends on the AI game plan.

4) Not Connected - Besides from the obvious Open Warp Point ship also make one Create Planet ship.

5) everything else - don't bother with this queue too much. Other AI states than the ones already covered are very rare.

Hope this helps,
Rollo

[ June 23, 2003, 14:17: Message edited by: Rollo ]

[JLS]

Originally posted by Rollo:

5) everything else - don't bother with this queue too much. Other AI states than the ones already covered are very rare.

Hope this helps,
Rollo

I do not under stand, Rollo, What other AI state Changes are you referring to, and what event or other, would make it very rare?

[ June 23, 2003, 19:53: Message edited by: JLS ]

[JLS]

Originally posted by cybersol:
I'm considering the following 6 groupings:
Exploration

Not Connected

Infrastructure

Secure Holdings After Attack

Prepare for Attack, Attack, Incursion

Prepare for Defense, Defend (Short Term), Defend (Long Term)

In the new groupings, I broke out Exploration and Not Connected for critical early game considerations. I broke out infrastructure because its the only relatively peaceful mid-game state. I broke out secure holdings after attack to emphasize a little extra colonization (but not as much as exploration), and with expectations of another attack soon. Finally I group the aggressive states together, and the defensive states together.

What do you guys think of those 6 groupings?

This may work for you, Cybersol. And you have the most critical States covered: Prepare for Defense, Defend (Short Term), Defend (Long Term)
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What (MAY or MAY NOT) prove to be problematic, is the AI in its pocket, has specific safe guards, for some specific events or order of events; in each specific State.

It will always be a wonder, if the AI did and has followed all the possable, reactionary State Changes and logic.

More fuel for thought

AI State := Secure Holdings After Attack, Incursion

The interesting aspect of the default combined AI strategic state of Secure Holdings After Attack and Incursion, is that in in both these States, your AI will immediately MUSTER ships that are already available, to include the ships that are already nearby for your AI to direct towards that TARGETED system.
All in the same while, your AIs Ship Yards are cranking out the needed support ships and replacements for either mission, and if you really think about it. Both missions require the exact same needs.
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Please consider:
For the Attack, your AI’s is required to: Prepare First, long before the actual Commitment will be made on an Attack State; for that AI's already been pre-determined, enemy targeted System.

Once Prepaired, and the forces are ready to attack. The AI WILL now evaluate if this Attack is still valid: and if so, then commit to the; AI Attack State.

To name a few COMMON events/safe gaurds, your AI WILL evaluate:
1: Is the target system even good anymore.
2: Is there enough ships to make this attack.
3: Can Target system still be conquered.
4: Fleet/System build up, is it (valid).
5: Does it have enough ships to continue this attack.
6: Too long in this state.

Please also consider, your AI may be taking on a big objective, so your AI will Prepare needed Attack Ships, loaded CVs, loaded Troop Ships and Mine Sweepers. In the Prepare State. Then after the deed is done and you should win, A few colony ships, layers, Pop Transports, etc. will only then be required.
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I would consider the basic mission needs, and compare them.

Secure Holdings After Attack, Incursion. Both here require a quick strike with a few assets and the need for speedy reinforcements.

[ June 23, 2003, 23:03: Message edited by: JLS ]

[Rollo]

Originally posted by JLS:

quote:

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Originally posted by Rollo:

5) everything else - don't bother with this queue too much. Other AI states than the ones already covered are very rare.

Hope this helps,
Rollo

I do not under stand, Rollo, What other AI state Changes are you referring to, and what event or other, would make it very rare?

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I am referring to the AI states that were not covered in queues 1) - 4). Namely: Secure Holdings After Attack, Incursion, Prepare for Defense, Defend (Long Term). I have seen the AI very rarely (if ever) in these states. When I say rare I mean less than 5%.

Defend (Short Term) is the dominant AI state. Infrastructure is second. Occasionally the AI goes to 'Prepare for Attack' and 'Attack' after that.

Rollo

[ June 23, 2003, 21:08: Message edited by: Rollo ]

[JLS]

Originally posted by Rollo:

quote:

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Originally posted by JLS:

quote:

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Originally posted by Rollo:

5) everything else - don't bother with this queue too much. Other AI states than the ones already covered are very rare.

Hope this helps,
Rollo

I do not under stand, Rollo, What other AI state Changes are you referring to, and what event or other, would make it very rare?

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I am referring to the AI states that were not covered in queues 1) - 4). Namely: Secure Holdings After Attack, Incursion, Prepare for Defense, Defend (Long Term). I have seen the AI very rarely (if ever) in these states. When I say rare I mean less than 5%.

Defend (Short Term) is the dominant AI state. Infrastructure is second. Occasionally the AI goes to 'Prepare for Attack' and 'Attack' after that.

Rollo

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Rollo,
What Vehicle Construction File of your design, would you suggest be referenced, as it involves the less dominate AI states. Namely: Secure Holdings After Attack, Incursion, Prepare for Defense, Defend (Long Term).