Custom Weapon Issue

[douglas]

This is a known bug. The AI completely ignores restrictions on component use. It can't go over the tonnage limit, it might not be able to go over the engines limit, and I'm not sure about life support/crew quarters requirements, but pretty much everything else is ignored when the AI makes its designs. I remember some discussion a while back about designing a Cheater AI race, and one of the things this AI would do is build ships and bases with two space yards, getting double normal build speed.

[Kammak]

Well that's no good.

I take it SE4 is no longer getting updated, correct?

No biggie, but a rather annoying issue.

Thanks,

Kammak

[Kammak]

Does the AI also get to ignore the "Vehicle Size Maximum" constraint for Mounts?

[Fyron]

The AI doesn't completely ignore restrictions.. It won't add components that are restricted from the current vehicle type to a design. However, components within the same family can be upgraded, ignoring vehicle restrictions. This happens for human designs as well as the AI. Make sure your fighter weapon has a unique Family value and a unique Weapon Family value.

Really, the only restriction ignored by the AI is X Per Vehicle.

There are no mount settings ignored by the AI.

[Kammak]

Fyron -

I think your statement is incorrect in that the AI is definitely ignoring the "Vehicle Type" restriction for these weapons.

These custom weapons *are* using a Weapon Family number that is used by other weapons, but they have a different Family number. (There is no text on what Weapon Family number does in the Components.txt file - how does it work?)

Its easy enough for me to change the Weapon Family number for them, but the AI is definitely ignoring the restrictions in a way no human could. (You can't upgrade to a weapon that you can't design a ship to use in the first place, yet the AI can, it seems.)

I will check out the new Weapon Family number on the next game. Thanks!

Kammak

[Kammak]

Is there a document that I should have read covering issues like this one (unique Weapon Family values)?

I don't mean to be bugging folks with beginner questions - I've read through the Dubious Guide, the Strategy Guides, a couple of Modding FAQs, but didn't come across any specific stuff that documented the common "gotchas" in modding SEIV.

If I have overlooked a good resource, please point me to it. I realize this is an old game with a high user knowledge base, and newbie questions can get quite tiresome.

But many thanks for the quick and accurate responses I've received in the past week or two. I'm quite enjoying SE4 - spending half my time tinkering with files and half actually playing.

Regards,

Kammak