AI Modding: I have no clue, please help!

[Chronon]

I'm sure this has been asked a million times before, so thanks for your patience, but I could use a little help with modding an AI for my Verduran race style.

I am having a problem getting PDC on the Destroyer. It just won't put any on board. Here's my small ship text (I'm using the TDM Modpack):

Name := Attack Ship
Design Type := Attack Ship
Vehicle Type := Ship
Default Strategy := Maximum Weapons Range
Size Minimum Tonnage := 10
Size Maximum Tonnage := 300
Num Must Have At Least 1 Ability := 1
Must Have Ability 1 := Weapon
Minimum Speed := 4
Desired Speed := 6
Majority Weapon Family Pick 1 := 28
Majority Weapon Family Pick 2 := 2
Majority Weapon Family Pick 3 := 0
Majority Weapon Family Pick 4 := 0
Majority Weapon Family Pick 5 := 0
Secondary Weapon Family Pick 1 := 0
Secondary Weapon Family Pick 2 := 0
Secondary Weapon Family Pick 3 := 0
Secondary Weapon Family Pick 4 := 0
Secondary Weapon Family Pick 5 := 0
Shields Spaces Per One := 0
Armor Spaces Per One := 0
Majority Comp Spaces Per One := 150
Majority Comp Ability := Weapon
Secondary Comp Spaces Per One := 0
Secondary Comp Ability :=
Num Misc Abilities := 6
Misc Ability 1 Name := Armor Regeneration
Misc Ability 1 Spaces Per One := 120
Misc Ability 2 Name := Supply Storage
Misc Ability 2 Spaces Per One := 10000
Misc Ability 3 Name := Combat To Hit Defense Plus
Misc Ability 3 Spaces Per One := 10000
Misc Ability 4 Name := Self-Destruct
Misc Ability 4 Spaces Per One := 10000
Misc Ability 5 Name := Extra Movement Generation
Misc Ability 5 Spaces Per One := 10000
Misc Ability 6 Name := Point-Defense
Misc Ability 6 Spaces Per One := 200

What should I change to make it work?

PS. I don't think I understand what the "spaces per one" number means. I understand that 10000 will get you exactly one component of that type. But I don't understand how the other numbers work. If someone could explain this in more detail, I would really appreciate it. Thanks for your help!

PPS. FYI, This is an organic race.

[ July 15, 2003, 05:24: Message edited by: Chronon ]

[TNZ]

Is PDC a Point-Defense Cannon?

[TNZ]

Seems the AI works its way down adding components until it finishes or it runs out of room.

[ July 16, 2003, 05:29: Message edited by: TNZ ]

[Taera]

point defense is misc ability. Here's a line from my AI:
Num Misc Abilities := 7
Misc Ability 1 Name := Armor Regeneration
Misc Ability 1 Spaces Per One := 300
Misc Ability 2 Name := Point-Defense
Misc Ability 2 Spaces Per One := 200 (....)

[Taera]

and realy, the Spaces Per One, what does it mean?

[Q]

It defines how many components of this type are added according to the ship size. In you example of a destroyer (300kT):

Misc Ability 6 Name := Point-Defense
Misc Ability 6 Spaces Per One := 200

would mean that 2 PDC will be added (300 : 200 = 1.5) because it is always rounded up to the next integer.

Therefore your line:

Misc Ability 1 Name := Armor Regeneration
Misc Ability 1 Spaces Per One := 120

will give you 3 organic armors in your destroyer (300 : 120 = 2.5, rounded up to 3).

Because your PDC are at the end of the list I think there is simple not enough space on the ship to include one. I usually add organic armor at the end of the list to fill up the space.

Hope that helps.

[ July 15, 2003, 09:46: Message edited by: Q ]

[Chronon]

Thanks Q!

Now I understand why I'm not getting any PDC on the destroyer. I'm sure you're right about not being any space left for them. I'll swap the PDC and armor lines and make both 150. That should give me two of each (I hope).

[Rollo]

Originally posted by Q:
It defines how many components of this type are added according to the ship size. In you example of a destroyer (300kT):

Misc Ability 6 Name := Point-Defense
Misc Ability 6 Spaces Per One := 200

would mean that 2 PDC will be added (300 : 200 = 1.5) because it is always rounded up to the next integer.

Therefore your line:

Misc Ability 1 Name := Armor Regeneration
Misc Ability 1 Spaces Per One := 120

will give you 3 organic armors in your destroyer (300 : 120 = 2.5, rounded up to 3).

Because your PDC are at the end of the list I think there is simple not enough space on the ship to include one. I usually add organic armor at the end of the list to fill up the space.

Hope that helps.

'Spaces per one' is NOT always rounded up. It is always rounded down, but with minimum of one.

So, 'Spaces per one' = 200 gives you one on a DS and lower. 2 on LC and CR. 3 on BC, etc.

If you want to make a DS use two compontns, you need to make a value >= 150.

Rollo

[Q]

Sorry for the mistake about rounding. Rollo is correct. It is rounded up only to 1. But if the component is specified as "must have ability" then one more is added even before the calculation of the misc abilities are made.

[Chronon]

Thanks again, Rollo and Q, for the information about "spaces per one." I tried the new numbers yesterday, and things seem to be working well. I think I'll probably add a new entry to DesignCreation.txt for each ship size, so they all come out exactly the way I want them.

BTW, Rollo - May I borrow some things from the United Flora? (I would, of course, give you full credit in the "read me" file.) The Verdurans are also a plant-based life form, and it seems a natural fit. The ship designs, general characteristics (Verdurans are not religious), speech file, and Construction vehicles would all be different. But the planet types and general research path (without the religious tree) would essentially be stolen from your excellent UF AI. If you would rather I not do this, please let me know, and I will attempt to create everything from scratch.