Advanced IA race moddings tricks (long)

[oleg]

Originally posted by trooper:
I'm just trying to create an fearly good IA.
And I'm stuck on many points, perhaps you can help, if you're a modding specialist.
(NB : I'm just modfying race files, not general config files, to have a fully compatible race).

about AI_designcreation.txt (it's the main mystery for me !)

1) Are all "spaces per one" based on the same scale ?

......

2) Can I create two types of fighters ? (seeking fighters and direct fire fighters).
Seems that there must be only one design per design type (the older are obsolete).

3) I couldn't manage to build a carrier with cargo space and missile with that design :

4) Strategy : can I prenvent my IA to send isolated ships agains ennemy planets and fleets ?
How can I force it to perform only group attacks ? (always more ships in my fleet then the ennemy, gnark, gnark...)

5) Strategy bis : can non-armed ships (colony, transport) flee from ennemy ships, instead of trying to attack them ?

that all for now, thanks...

Phoenix-D already answered 1) - it works completely different than you think
"spaces per one = 250" means AI will put one component per 250k of ship tonnage. For example two on cruiser hull. Very large numbers for some components, like multiplex or combat senseors gurantee there won't be redundancy even for largest ships.

2) Yes, you can but only if you use SEIV Gold - make two designes with different names, say "interceptor" and "bomber". In construction_vehicles.txt file replace calls for "fighter" by "interceptor" and/or "bomber", up to you taste. Just remember that "must have" is cumulative for all designs of one type (here "fighter")

3) Must have ability = launch/recover fighters will automaticaly fill 50% of carrier hull with fighter bays. If you want space left for other components, make "majority component = lau./rec/fighters" space per one = some big number (it will add only one extra FB). make "secondary component = weapon" , put some reasonable number in "space per one" and assign CSM/PM numbers for "choices".

4) It is regulated in "AI_settings". Consult some TDM races, like Rage, Pyrochette, EA and others.

5)Strategy "do not get hurt" will do just that.