What causes the AI to just die and stop expanding?

[MaxWilson]

Instead of typing "dom3.exe" at the command prompt, type "dom3.exe --comptrn". If you're accessing dom3 through a shortcut on Windows, right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties," and on the window that pops up, on the "Shortcut" tab (which is where it should start out) there's an entry that says "Target:" and has something like "c:\Program Files\Dominions3\dom3.exe" in it. Add " --comptrn" to the end. If you're using Linux it's different, but if you're using Linux you know enough to adapt the procedure anyway.

Now, every time you play a turn in SP, it will generate a file for every computer player that lets you see their empire as if it were a human player's empire, except that for some reason you don't get scouting reports. You can see how many troops they have, what battles they fought against other AIs, what their gem income is, etc.

-Max

[NTJedi]

Originally Posted by iceboy

See chart: I have been playing a single player for some time now and most of the AI's for once are expanding nicely. All except Rlyeh. They were expanding but for the last 100 turns have just flat lined. What causes this? Theories?

My theory is that the AI just hordes everything in the capitol province and just starves itself to death! Thoughts?

If you're seeking stronger and healthier AI opponents for the entire game... I recommend using the map edit commands to provide all of them with at least 1 growth scale. The death scale will hurt AI opponents more than anything by mid and late game. While a human opponent can handle provinces with low/decreasing population the AI will wither and flop like a dying fish. Giving all AI opponents at least 1 growth makes a huge difference and more fun challenge.

I also recommend not playing any maps with water UNLESS using only the AI nations which have the skill to enter water provinces such as EA Argatha; LA Atlantis; etc., . The vast majority of AI opponents have ZERO skill for attacking water provinces which provides a massive advantage for the human player. Once a human player controls a handful of water provinces the vast majority of land AI opponents cannot attack them.


Now if you're seeking a strong knock you off your seat challenge then do the following using map edit commands:

1) Using start location command in the map file setup yourself on the far left middle or far right middle of a land only map.

2) Using start location command in the map file setup EA Niefielheim on the opposite side of the map from where you are starting.

3) Using the scale commands provide EA Niefielheim with +3 Growth; +3 Order; +3 Luck; +1 Productivity. The +1 productivity will help Niefielheim from buying a massive amount of weak independents... not much, but it helps.

4) Using #knownfeature provide the starting location of EA Niefielheim with the magic site called Library. This will allow the AI opponent to research at a more competitive level.


Then play your SP game and watch the graphs as a powerful AI opponent grows in the distance.

Now it's possible you're a veteran SP player and even using the above 4 commands still don't provide the challenge you seek... thus add the following:

5) Using the poptype command add the command into the map file only for the first 50 provinces which surround the capital of EA Niefielheim. This allows more of his troops to be specific from his nation and less stupid weak AI independents.

6) Using the commander command provide EA Niefielheim with 5 or more SuperCombatants... which includes the equipped gear. This will increase its rate of expansion and allow for some interesting late game battles.

7) Using the knownfeature command provide the capital with an additional magic site which may include discounted casting and/or a higher gem income.

8) Using the god command provide EA Niefielheim with a double; triple or quadrapule blessing. Also equip the god with good and/or unique items. I'd recommend using a size_3 or size_4 god for AI opponents which helps keep them from sending their pretender into the arena death match.

9) Provide EA Niefielheim with an extra province or two or three somewhere on the map which has a castle; temple and lab. Add moderate to high level immobile spellcasters which greatly increase its defense. If desired add a few magic sites as well.

10) Using the Allies command provide the a few allies between some AI opponents. I wouldn't recommend having them all as allies unless you've setup a map where you're in the middle.


Using all the directions listed can provide even the most veteran player with a challenge.

[iceboy]

Originally Posted by MaxWilson

Instead of typing "dom3.exe" at the command prompt, type "dom3.exe --comptrn". If you're accessing dom3 through a shortcut on Windows, right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties," and on the window that pops up, on the "Shortcut" tab (which is where it should start out) there's an entry that says "Target:" and has something like "c:\Program Files\Dominions3\dom3.exe" in it. Add " --comptrn" to the end. If you're using Linux it's different, but if you're using Linux you know enough to adapt the procedure anyway.

Now, every time you play a turn in SP, it will generate a file for every computer player that lets you see their empire as if it were a human player's empire, except that for some reason you don't get scouting reports. You can see how many troops they have, what battles they fought against other AIs, what their gem income is, etc.

-Max

Thanks- Will this ruin my saved game or will I be able to go back?

Also- Where are these files located? Can I play as Ryleh to see what is going on?

[iceboy]

Originally Posted by MaxWilson

Instead of typing "dom3.exe" at the command prompt, type "dom3.exe --comptrn". If you're accessing dom3 through a shortcut on Windows, right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties," and on the window that pops up, on the "Shortcut" tab (which is where it should start out) there's an entry that says "Target:" and has something like "c:\Program Files\Dominions3\dom3.exe" in it. Add " --comptrn" to the end. If you're using Linux it's different, but if you're using Linux you know enough to adapt the procedure anyway.

Now, every time you play a turn in SP, it will generate a file for every computer player that lets you see their empire as if it were a human player's empire, except that for some reason you don't get scouting reports. You can see how many troops they have, what battles they fought against other AIs, what their gem income is, etc.

-Max

Hmm...I tried this but it says the target is not valid?

[MaxWilson]

Originally Posted by iceboy

Thanks- Will this ruin my saved game or will I be able to go back?

Also- Where are these files located? Can I play as Ryleh to see what is going on?

I've never tried 'going back,' but from my general knowledge of the way computer programs work I predict that it doesn't alter the state of the saved game, it just generates extra .trn files that let you see what the computer is doing. I.e. 'going back' is a simple matter of starting dom3 without --comptrn and generatinga new turn.

You can't actually *play* as the AI nations because any orders you give as an AI nation get ignored--your .2h file isn't processed. The files are located in the savedgames folder.

-Max

[MaxWilson]

Originally Posted by iceboy

Hmm...I tried this but it says the target is not valid?

Do you have a typo in your command? What command are you using? On my system it is

C:\usr\dominions3\dom3.exe --preexec backup.py --comptrn

[You can ignore the --preexec backup.py part]

-Max

[iceboy]

Originally Posted by MaxWilson

Do you have a typo in your command? What command are you using? On my system it is

C:\usr\dominions3\dom3.exe --preexec backup.py --comptrn

[You can ignore the --preexec backup.py part]

-Max

I went to the windows shortcut "C:\Program Files\dominions3\dom3.exe" and added --comptrn but when I click ok it says invalid target...

[MaxWilson]

Originally Posted by iceboy

I went to the windows shortcut "C:\Program Files\dominions3\dom3.exe" and added --comptrn but when I click ok it says invalid target...

What does it say now? I'm guessing that you left out the space.

C:\Program Files\dominions3\dom3.exe--comptrn [wrong, will probably give you invalid target]

C:\Program Files\dominions3\dom3.exe --comptrn [right]

We can probably be more help if you tell us what the target is that it's trying to execute--what does Target say now?

-Max

[Stavis_L]

Originally Posted by iceboy

I went to the windows shortcut "C:\Program Files\dominions3\dom3.exe" and added --comptrn but when I click ok it says invalid target...

Try it with the parameter (--comptrn) inside the quotes. If that doesn't work (or that's what you're doing already) try it outside the quotes. Different programs handle the command line slightly differently.

[iceboy]

Originally Posted by MaxWilson

What does it say now? I'm guessing that you left out the space.

C:\Program Files\dominions3\dom3.exe--comptrn [wrong, will probably give you invalid target]

C:\Program Files\dominions3\dom3.exe --comptrn [right]

We can probably be more help if you tell us what the target is that it's trying to execute--what does Target say now?

-Max

Yep that fixed it I left out the space thanks! The other good news is that Ryleh is finally expanding!