Worst AI decision(s) ever?

PvK · #1 May 8th, 2002, 11:38 PM

I still remember way back before Version 1.25 even, I think, playing a game where I was letting the AI handle most of my empire, and I was trying to win the game ONLY (almost) by designing superior ships for my empire. Anyway, the AI sent a huge fleet of our ships, nearly half the fleet, it seemed, in one big armada towards the front line system where battles were raging. Great... except... it decided to take a "short cut" through this damaging warp point which er, just happened to lead through a... er... black hole system... OH NOOOOooooooo! Yep, so I get to watch dozens of our ships get shredded on the warp point, only to end up getting sucked slowly into the black hole, most of them either unable to escape, or worse, able to hold their ground until they run out of supplies, meanwhile costing maintenance...

Nonetheless, I still think one of the cooler aspects of SE4 is that, despite the AI's weaknesses, a player can take over just part of an empire, and let the AI handle the rest. In this way, the player can see how much of a difference they can make if they are only controlling a limited part of an empire, such as:

1) Just one particular fleet.
2) Just one particular system at a time (i.e., the emperor has to be present to take direct command, or the player is a regional governor).
3) Only reseach choices (mad scientist).
4) Only ship design (master ship designer).
5) Only construction.
6) Only diplomacy.
7) Only the military campaign against a particular enemy empire.
8) Only tactical combat.
9) Only intelligence operations.

Or, any combination of the above.

The other thing to recommend this mode of play is that it generally cuts the time required to play down to a small fraction of the usual time, even in a large and advanced game.

PvK

Skulky · #2 May 17th, 2002, 06:59 AM

I have never had quite sucha horrible experience with my AI but i did once put a whole fleet of say 115 ships under its command during a simultaneous battle against a group of 1 large planet, and 3 moons so they had lots of interference. My fleet moved around aimlessly for a while while my troop ships went in and got shot. I think it was b/c the AI didn't know what to do with the empty moons (empty of weapons colonized tho) so taht was its own thing.

Wow im rambling agian

oleg · #3 May 17th, 2002, 02:42 PM

"by designing superior ships for my empire. "

He,he,he. You did't do a good job then !
unstable warp point does only 200 damage.
Scatering armor + stealth armor gives a full protection for your ship internals. If you also have few repair ships in your fleet, and you MUST, fleet can fly through Black Hole system !

Klebdog · #4 May 17th, 2002, 10:03 PM

I agree with Oleg! You have to have the support ships (Supply Tenders x2, Repair Ships)in your fleet or your going to get hammered in the long run.

Instar · #5 May 18th, 2002, 05:06 AM

attacking russia before beating... oh wait n/m

PvK · #6 May 18th, 2002, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oleg:
"by designing superior ships for my empire. "

He,he,he. You did't do a good job then !
unstable warp point does only 200 damage.
Scatering armor + stealth armor gives a full protection for your ship internals. If you also have few repair ships in your fleet, and you MUST, fleet can fly through Black Hole system !

This was not very far advanced into the tech tree. I think it was a ten-planet start with High research cost, so it was a fleet of like frigates and destroyers and maybe some light cruisers at best, and Scat + Stealth armor were entirely unknown techs.