My AI Design Q&A

[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).

[JLS]

I have TDM (AI CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES DATA FILE - Cue Cappa)

Rollo,
Would this be your design to reference?

[ June 23, 2003, 22:32: Message edited by: JLS ]

[Rollo]

Well, the Cue Cappa are a rather old AI. I think the best reference of my design would newer designs like the TDM United Flora or any of the newer Devnull Mod AI (United Flora, Sonne, Xi'Chung, Ukratal).

[JLS]

Thanks, Rollo

[cybersol]

Originally posted by 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

I had noticed this pattern in your UF, Vikings, and Cue Cappa. Thanks for interpreting it and telling me the logic behind it.

I was going to separate Defend (Short Term) from Infrastructure because the former implies a slight to moderate enemy presence while the later implies relative peace. When I actually get down to the details though, the queues might be similar enough to merge.

Also, I think JLS makes a good point about needing a few extra colony ships fast for the brief period you are in the Secure Holdings after Attack. Although it's a rare state, it only takes a minor effort to copy the attack queue and move colonization up in priority and location. (Feel like I need to thank gandalph again for giving me the link to renumber.exe, what a time saver).

[cybersol]

Originally posted by JLS:
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 .

Could you elaborate on this, JLS? As I understand it now, the Secure state is to move into a conquered AI system, take hold and make it your own. Hopefully the AI is also priming for another prepare/attack/secure sequence of events. As such I was thinking of a queue similar to the attack states, but with a little bit more colonization.

The incursion state I thought was like a minor harrasment of the enemy. I grouped this with the more aggressive attack states because if I have the power to harass, I want to build up the power to attack. Hopefully more force will enable the AI to go through an attack instead of just an incursion. However, does a switch to incursion occur when I want to flood and co-colonize an enemy system? Only then can I see it being so similar to the Secure State, but again I would probably prefer to attack it if possible.

[JLS]

Originally posted by cybersol:

JLS?
As I understand it now, the Secure state is to move into a conquered AI system, take hold and make it your own.

TRUE

Hopefully the AI is also priming for another prepare/attack/secure sequence of events. As such I was thinking of a queue similar to the attack states, but with a little bit more colonization.

You did not present a scenario here, but from the Secure Holdings State, and your AI Targets system has been secured:

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Please refer to Definitions and Actions.

When in the Secure Holdings State and that newly conquered System is now totally secured; your AI will revert back to ~(B) Infrastructure State...
And your AI, may start the process all over again, beginning from ~(B) Infrastructure State

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The incursion state I thought was like a minor harrasment of the enemy.

True, at any and or ALL Enemies Systems/Territories of opportunity; with only a few parameters and safeguards.

I want to build up the power to attack. Hopefully more force will enable the AI to go through an attack instead of just an incursion.

The results with the set up you have would be interesting.

Please remember, Prepare to Attack will only be triggered if there is a vulnerable target System near. IIRC, (Not more 2 systems away). As not to string out the AI fleets.
However, In the Prepare to Attack State; Your AI needs to prepare your Attack Fleets with all the needed ships for that Attack, to fulfill at least these two requirements

1: Forces are now ready to attack
2: Target System can be conquered
Just for the minimum chance to get to the, Attack State

I am unsure of how many base yards you will be operating, with your se4 AI. Could you indicate the expected amount? After the first 51 turns, but before the 70th Turn? (2 BSY or 3)
Attack Ships (many)
Units (optional, but recommended)
Carrier (loaded)
Troop Transport (loaded)
Drone Carrier (loaded) (if desired)
Kamikaze Attack Ship/Aux
Boarding Ship/Aux
Mine Sweeper (placement depends on AI Settings)

Support Ships
Colonizer: (IMO) Not a priority in the Attack States at least one, late.
Layers: not recommended at all.

This, all must be done with out taking to long to prepare.

Now for the actual Attack State to take, your AI must pass the requirements in the Previous post.
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Sorry, it took so many words to get to this point. With to few words in the First post, on Incursion.

If you have the Incursion State with the Attack State, this does not mean your AI State will automatically change to the Attack State, and you may already no this, sorry, if that was the case.
You will remain in the Incursion State and build every ship on this Prepare to Attack list.
Until:
For a your worse case scenario.Lets not consider, Defend Short Term State, were an enemy entered your territory.
1: Enemy forces destroyed and you win.
2: Target system to well defended, and you lose.
There is no time limit in this State.
Therefore, you will build what ever is on that Prepare to Attack State, List. In addition, to all this implies. Until, condition One or Two is meet, this may be awhile and you really may not of needed many if any of these builds to complete the Incursion mission/s.
Because the AI, all ready calculated, to use what localized Ship or Ships it had available to it, when it decided, this attempt to wreak havoc, with-in the enemies Territories.

However, does a switch to incursion occur when I want to flood and co-colonize an enemy system?

No, a switch, to the Incursion, will only happen, as I posted below from Scenario (B) Infrastructure.
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When either 1 or 2 is satisfied:
1: Enemy forces destroyed and you win.
2: Target system to well defended, and you lose.
Your, AI will revert from Incursion State back to (B) Infrastructure State and may reconsider another Incursion, or even a Prepare Attack;
When,
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“ Enough time since the Last Attack has passed from your AI Settings File (XiChung @ Turns to Wait until next attack := 6) then your AI WILL consider from (B) Infrastructure State again, for an Attack or an Incursion”

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And now, that you just invested, in Actuality a Prepare for attack (when a Incursion was the call). Can you say that your AI can afford another tumble thru Prepare for Attack, again, and again? Please consider, will you have exotic ships like the Planet or System Destroyer, etc… In the Prepare for Attack.
If not, then were would you request them?

In regards to Colonizer flow after a, successful or unsuccessful Incursion. The follow-up Colonizers will come from the Infrastructure State.

You also may have colonizers that were built in your Prepare Attack,Attack,Incursion setup

Or that would have been built, with a healthy Coloizer PPI/MHAL in the:
AI State := Secure Holdings After Attack, Incursion

Please consider the possible event that a military ally or two, could have fueled the Ships used in your AI’s incursions.

Only then can I see it being so similar to the Secure State, but again I would probably prefer to attack it if possible.

The Secure Holdings State will only arise from a newly conquered System, as a result of the Attack State. This was preceded by a Prepare for attack State; a vulnerable target System that was not more then 2 Systems away triggered that.

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Also, please note , at some point in this AI’s game, this nearby System WILL be some Players Home System, that your AI WILL be considering the Prepare for Attack State; that may decide the game.

Alternatively, it could be your AI’s Home System, which Will be considered for a Prepare for Attack. Vulnerable and not more then 2 Systems away from another AI Player in that same (B) Infrastructure States, and now it is your AI, that WILL be considering, Prepare for Defense State; that WILL decide the game.

Believe it or not

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The AI strategic state of Secure Holdings After Attack and Incursion, is similar in that, both these States your AI will immediately MUSTER ships; that are already available.

One Last consideration, for this format.
AI State := Secure Holdings After Attack, Incursion

If combined, it is extreamly flexable, and often returned to by your AI

The only ships you really need is:
Attack Ship (a few or many)
Colonizer (on par with reasonable explore numbers)
Defense Ship (only a few light Hulled, recommended)
Units.
Mine Layer
Satellite Layer
Population Transport
A few more Attack Shps if you feel little more padding, or any builds you feel may be to your AI's best interest.

[ June 26, 2003, 12:54: Message edited by: JLS ]