How do I make the game hard?

raynor · #1 March 22nd, 2001, 03:05 PM

Sabre,

My mind absolutely boggles at the concept of the AI with 1000 to 4000 ships each. How long does it take to process a turn by the time one or more AI's have 1000 ships?

BTW, I wonder if the AI should be adjusted so that they defend more systems when playing in a 250 system game? I think I saw somewhere that they only defend 3 systems at a time? I wonder if that is enough in a 250 system game. With 1000 ships, I certainly think they *might* be able to defend (at least) one more.

Suicide Junkie · #2 March 22nd, 2001, 05:38 PM

For a real challenge, try the Pirates mod.

As a pirate, you can't build (and don't start off with) ANY planet-based resource extractors. First thing you should build is a remote-miner escort

You also can't build or retrofit colony ships. Basically, your economy will be based on remote mining and ship capture & scrapping.

Note that there are some restrictions on the choice of racial traits that you must set yourself.
- no reproduction / no environment resist.
- no Psychic tech.

Puke · #3 March 23rd, 2001, 12:51 AM

I think the pirate mod should disable the self destruct device, or at least take it off of all the AI designs, or reduce the number that use it.

Suicide Junkie · #4 March 23rd, 2001, 12:55 AM

Why? That would reduce the challenge. All you Pirates have to do is shoot the ship until it can be captured (no SDD, no Shields)

Note that it is very OK to use tactical combat in the Pirates mod. The AIs will still do well, and if you try to play strategic combat, you're toast.

Puke · #5 March 23rd, 2001, 01:05 AM

quote:
Originally posted by suicide_junkie:
[b]Why? That would reduce the challenge. All you Pirates have to do is shoot the ship until it can be captured (no SDD, no Shields)

basically, because the self destruct device is a standard component on every AI ship above a certain weight class. and they are fairly low on the research priority list. therfore, it will be quite impossible to capture anything above a LC (i think) after about year 3, unless you play all your battles in tactical and get a lucky shot on the self destruct unit. Just my opinion though, if you like them, keep em in. not like its a hard tweak for each person to put to their own preference.

Dracus · #6 March 23rd, 2001, 01:07 AM

You can change the max number of systems they defend int the AI_Settings.txt
I changed all mine to 20 systems. They seem to build more ships to handle this.

Sabre21 · #7 March 23rd, 2001, 01:52 AM

Raynor

I about fell outta my chair when I saw one AI race with over 4000 ships and another with 1000+. With 20 players, or actually 18 since 2 were wiped out by the AI..poor EEE..hehe. Darth Vader bit the big one too...he just doesn't seem to win in any galaxy

I have a PII 450 128megs, and the turns take about 10 minutes, maybe a little more or less..I've never really timed them, but I have enough time to get a sandwich, hit the head, and let the dog out

Hopefully this will get faster when I upgrade next month.

Dracus...I should be able to get to that set on Saturday...maybe even get to sneak a few in tomorrow.

Sabre21