AI opponents lack of researching

NTJedi · #1 January 26th, 2004, 11:42 PM

I usually play Machaka on huge maps... maybe that's why I have such a great lead over the computer opponents, since they have the witches that give 5 research for 90 gold.

I thought I would bring up the topic because when I place 10 computer opponents on Impossible AI... one of them should be able to take the lead on research... at least once in awhile.

licker · #2 January 27th, 2004, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Graeme Dice:

quote:
Originally posted by licker:
True, hense the 'usually'... still Ulm early on isn't as likely as someone else to go research crazy (at least from my experience), and their two themes don't seem research friendly at all.

Ulm gets a great deal of benefit from research in Conjuration (Earthpower, fall bears, trolls), Evocation (Magma bolts, blade wind, magma eruption), Construction (dwarven hammers, earth boots, lightless lanterns, clockwork horors, crushers, iron dragons, etc.), enchantment (forge of the ancients, etc.), and thaumaturgy (earth searching spells).

To continue this tangent...

I'm not saying Ulm doesn't benefit from research, nor that Ulm (standard theme) can't research well without an early library. What I was saying was that Ulm (in particular from my experiences) doesn't research heavilly early, sure they may shoot for one of the above mentioned areas, but compared to Pythium (again in my experience) they lag in research.

Anyway, Machaka can research pretty quickly so maybe that's where you percieve the lag, though if the AIs are pulling off decently high level spells whats to complain about? There's also the difference in getting to lvls 4/5 in everything and getting to lvls2/3 in a few and lvl7+ in one area. Diffrent strokes for diffrnet folks

PDF · #3 January 28th, 2004, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Graeme Dice:

quote:
Originally posted by licker:
If you are playing Ulm (usually...) then you should notice that you arn't in front, or even in the middle.

Default Ulm is probably one of the better nations when it comes to research. Master smiths are research 5 even in drain 3, and only cost 140 gold each. They are almost as efficient as sages in high drain areas. Ulm has no problems with gold early on, and can afford to build a master smith every turn.

Very true in early game, but by turn 25+ you get so much useful things to forge that you have problems keeping up pace with others in Research !
And if you don't forge and make all smiths research you don't use from your main advantage...
Indy mages don't help much Ulm, their RP get very low due to Drain dom (except if you've found Sages,and even they only have 4 RPs..), and don't have forge bonus neither.