Does anyone else try to play with a "high" AI bonus

raynor · #1 May 12th, 2001, 05:22 PM

I think the most important thing to keep in mind about the AI is that it doesn't have the capability to seek out and destroy your forces and systems wherever they may be--as is present in a game, for example, such as StarCraft.

Instead, the AI slowly expands, and if you happen to get in its way, then it tries to swat you like a fly. But it is extremely easy to halt the AI's expansion into your part of the galaxy. Then, you can build up your forces at your leisure and crush the enemy if you so desire.

If you play a high bonus game and start right next to one or more AI's, then the AI is going to immediately start expanding into your home system. In that case, you are going to have a very tough time of it. On the other hand, if you start at least a couple of systems away from the enemy, your probability of success is much, much better as you might be able to prevent the AI from trying to expand into your part of the galaxy. If they don't claim one of your systems, then they won't fight over it.

AJC · #2 May 12th, 2001, 05:33 PM

I usually play at high difficulty and medium bonus with a low to med number of AI races, no neutrals, in a large galaxy. I set my default large map to 220 systems. That way the AI can expand a bit before I show up, usually this makes for a tough fight. I am also using some of the mod races..

One thing I do like about playing a high difficulty and a medium bonus is that the AI tends to keep just ahead of the humans in ship sizes and technology. The games seem more balanced.

Jourin · #3 May 14th, 2001, 05:11 AM

I have tried and lost 3 games with the bonus set to High. With the map editor I separated the AIs to make sure I have some space and am trying another high bonus game again. I am on turn 115, and in 18th place (out of 20) with 5 neutrals. A very challenging game.

Nitram Draw · #4 May 15th, 2001, 01:07 AM

Tried high bonus a few times. After getting stomped every time I decided to be realistic about my abilities and went back to low.
I wish there was a way to adjust the affects of the bonus. The bonus resources are a nice help to the AI, espescially in a high tech game, but the research and intel bonuses are really hard to overcome.

Krakenup · #5 May 14th, 2001, 08:18 PM

I always play with high bonus. I play with a large quadrant with 10 to 15 computer opponents - usually hand picked from the TDM ModPack. If there is an AI next door and he finds me early, he usually attacks continuously so that I don't have time to do anything but defend. The construction bonus means that the AI can build one warship per shipyard per turn - more than I can defend against. If, however, I have a little room to colonize and time to research, I'm usually strong enough to defend by the time they find me, and I can eventually win.

PvK · #6 May 14th, 2001, 11:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Nitram Draw:
...
I wish there was a way to adjust the affects of the bonus. The bonus resources are a nice help to the AI, espescially in a high tech game, but the research and intel bonuses are really hard to overcome.

One thing you can do is to let them spend more empire creation points than you use yourself, possibly manually editing the extra abilities they have.

PvK

Will · #7 May 15th, 2001, 06:09 AM

Just wondering, since I never figured it out myself... what exactly *IS* the AI bonus? I see resource, research, intel, and construction here, but how much for each level, in each area?

Just wondering, because I haven't really noticed any difficulty with high bonus difficult AIs... Maybe I'll get modpack and try those AIs. Maybe it's just the fact that I love tactical combat, and can usually easily beat an AI force that outnumbers me 5 to 1... or maybe my playing style (neutralize, capture, reinforce, proceed) gives me enough of a boost to rival big AIs...

Biggest challenge so far has been pirates against one normal AI (difficult/high bonus). I'm thinking of pirates vs. three normal AI next, or maybe nomads...