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Author Topic:   AI Has no defence against Aircraft

McJorge posted 03-26-99 05:47 PM ET
I've played this game over and over. I've handicapped myself in every way I can think of but I've never lost a game against computer opponents. The computer does not use SAM weapons. Planes are immune to attack. Bases can be protected forever by simpley sticking a plane or two outside them. Computer troop movement can be halted completely with two planes. I conquer base after base with a squadron of planes and one infantry unit. Am I playing the same game as the rest of you. I never get a chance to use all the really great toys in this game because I've always won by year 2350. Anyone got any suggestions.
Travathian posted 03-26-99 06:40 PM ET
Dont use planes? See how tough the game is.
Don't abuse the AI? Everyone knows its easy to find those tricks that the AI just cant counter, so dont use them.
Try playing on a really pissy planet (small land mass, no cloud cover, no erosion, lots of native life) and with a faction you hate.
Play Transcend Ironman, when you choose the rules, only pick the type of victory hardest for your faction. Try economic victory for the Spartans, Transcend for Believers, Conquest with University etc.
Lots of things you can do to make the game more challenging, its just a matter of whether or not you REALLy want to take the chance of playing a game you may not win.
Good luck
McJorge posted 03-26-99 07:04 PM ET
I've got another solution. The computer players use ECM weapons, they use AAA, they love Nerve Gas, why doesn"t Mr Reynolds get them to use their SAM capability.
sandworm posted 03-26-99 07:36 PM ET
I've had the computer use air superiority fighters against me quite often, but never a SAM ground unit. Then again, I never use them either, I use a combination of AAA garrison units and interceptors. When the interceptors aren't busy they can scout, surprise terraformers (the little former that got strafed into oblivion), or attempt to destroy enhancements. Disclaimer: They generally bite when it comes to ground attack (-50%?), don't say I didn't warn you.
I never considered it, but a SAM ground unit could come in handy in border areas with unfriendly skies.
Florgie17 posted 03-27-99 11:28 PM ET
LOL, never gotten to use any good toys by 2350??? I'm sorry, but that's pretty pathetic. What difficulty? You said "never", and i assume you sooner or later played somewhere in the lower difficulty levels... Ive played in the first two levels so far. Both times, i transcended before 2350 (with UoP). I had gravships by 2300... Not that hard really. I mean, as soon as you get knowledge, combined with the massive population from democracy/planned + children's creche, i start getting tech at like one per four years. In my current game, the year is like 2320, and i get one tech per year!!! That was pretty hard, but my population is really massive, and my science bonus is of course +4 (currently, since i hvae the cloning vats (and every other wonder) anyway, i play police/green/power/cybernetic. Very good, esp that +4 planet. I have cities with 120 minerals but only 20 eco-damage. (Gravships are absolutely amazing. Currently, even though im transcending, im having fun pumping out a 24-12-16*4 blink, radar fleet of gravships. Damn they're good!!!)
McJorge posted 03-28-99 11:22 AM ET
You know what they say about people who assume. I tried the demo on level three once, but it's been nothing but level five or six since then. You say you've been attacked by SAM fighters often. What's often? Two or three times a game? They are no deterrent to an air assault. Face it boys and girls, this AI sucks.
Have you ever tried to trade bases with a computer opponent. If you have a treaty or a pact they give away the candy store every time.
I know a good AI is not easy to come up with, but if this is the best they can do, I'll stick to chess.
Rasputine posted 03-28-99 11:47 AM ET
Mcjorge, i noticed the same and thought 'why hell don't the AI use SAM?'...
well, i was fighting Spartans with the Peackeepers more to protect my allies (Gaians) that to defend myself. I send a probe team to get some info on the Spartans Base production...they were producing a Missile Tactical and a Planet buster!(among a lot of powerful troops).
The problem is that if you attack the base that is getting the missile tactical up and destroy one of their defending units, AI imediately change to a defending ground unit. Seems to be out of his priorities but, well, AI builds SAM.
Anyway, i agree with a previous post, there are plenty of ways of getting fun with this game, and even more ways of taking out advantage of AIs lacks ( in all games)...
whenever you became bored with the AI try the Multiplayer, it's always great
Rasputine
Rasputine posted 03-28-99 11:47 AM ET
Mcjorge, i noticed the same and thought 'why hell don't the AI use SAM?'...
well, i was fighting Spartans with the Peackeepers more to protect my allies (Gaians) that to defend myself. I send a probe team to get some info on the Spartans Base production...they were producing a Missile Tactical and a Planet buster!(among a lot of powerful troops).
The problem is that if you attack the base that is getting the missile tactical up and destroy one of their defending units, AI imediately change to a defending ground unit. Seems to be out of his priorities but, well, AI builds SAM.
Anyway, i agree with a previous post, there are plenty of ways of getting fun with this game, and even more ways of taking out advantage of AIs lacks ( in all games)...
whenever you became bored with the AI try the Multiplayer, it's always great
Rasputine
McJorge posted 03-28-99 11:57 AM ET
I agree with you. I've played multiplayer and I think this is one of the best games I've ever played. Which is why I'm so disappointed with the AI.
I've made secnarios where the computer sides star with mobile SAM units and have had some really good games. The computer builds and uses them. UNTILL you repeal UN charter, then they start on chemical weapons and forget all about SAMs and then I walk all over them.
I've tried all kinds of changes in the alpha text files but nothing seems to really work well enough.
I think only B Reynolds has the power to make this game what it could be.
Plato90s posted 03-28-99 12:34 PM ET
Actually, I've fought AI factions which had dozens of air-superiority fighters and almost all infantry units had AAA. But I do agree it's strange that the AI never builds any SAM-equipped land units. Then again, I rarely build those either. That 50% ground attack penalty is a bit of a pain.
Also, in a recent game, I noticed Miriam was using a large number of X-infantry units, indicating she has armed them with Nerve gas.
McJorge posted 03-28-99 12:59 PM ET
I never build many SAM land units because the computer builds so few air units.
But the 50% land penalty for SAMs is only for air to ground, check it out. Land to land is at normal odds.
I guess the reason the computer builds so few SAMs is because it buils so few air units. I wish it would use more of both and force me to use new tactics.
MadMordigan posted 03-28-99 09:21 PM ET
The AI in this game is pretty weak all around. The PLANET is tough, but the Players can usually be smoked due to their lack of aggressive planning. For example, I have played TI several times now, and every time there has been only one major antagonist to my domination. In each case, I found that aggresive patrolling of our borders has been enough to keep them at bay until I was ready to launch an assault.
Why the computer will settle to build 10+ defensive units in a major city but wont build the 5-8 offensive units it would require them to kick my ass of the continent, I will never understand.Its either AAA sentinels or PB's. Why not add a routine "build lots of cheap mobile units, and throw them at the human".
Anyways, its a fun game. Just wish the AI was a little more fearsome.
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Author	Topic: AI Has no defence against Aircraft
McJorge	posted 03-26-99 05:47 PM ET I've played this game over and over. I've handicapped myself in every way I can think of but I've never lost a game against computer opponents. The computer does not use SAM weapons. Planes are immune to attack. Bases can be protected forever by simpley sticking a plane or two outside them. Computer troop movement can be halted completely with two planes. I conquer base after base with a squadron of planes and one infantry unit. Am I playing the same game as the rest of you. I never get a chance to use all the really great toys in this game because I've always won by year 2350. Anyone got any suggestions.
Travathian	posted 03-26-99 06:40 PM ET Dont use planes? See how tough the game is. Don't abuse the AI? Everyone knows its easy to find those tricks that the AI just cant counter, so dont use them. Try playing on a really pissy planet (small land mass, no cloud cover, no erosion, lots of native life) and with a faction you hate. Play Transcend Ironman, when you choose the rules, only pick the type of victory hardest for your faction. Try economic victory for the Spartans, Transcend for Believers, Conquest with University etc. Lots of things you can do to make the game more challenging, its just a matter of whether or not you REALLy want to take the chance of playing a game you may not win. Good luck
McJorge	posted 03-26-99 07:04 PM ET I've got another solution. The computer players use ECM weapons, they use AAA, they love Nerve Gas, why doesn"t Mr Reynolds get them to use their SAM capability.
sandworm	posted 03-26-99 07:36 PM ET I've had the computer use air superiority fighters against me quite often, but never a SAM ground unit. Then again, I never use them either, I use a combination of AAA garrison units and interceptors. When the interceptors aren't busy they can scout, surprise terraformers (the little former that got strafed into oblivion), or attempt to destroy enhancements. Disclaimer: They generally bite when it comes to ground attack (-50%?), don't say I didn't warn you. I never considered it, but a SAM ground unit could come in handy in border areas with unfriendly skies.
Florgie17	posted 03-27-99 11:28 PM ET LOL, never gotten to use any good toys by 2350??? I'm sorry, but that's pretty pathetic. What difficulty? You said "never", and i assume you sooner or later played somewhere in the lower difficulty levels... Ive played in the first two levels so far. Both times, i transcended before 2350 (with UoP). I had gravships by 2300... Not that hard really. I mean, as soon as you get knowledge, combined with the massive population from democracy/planned + children's creche, i start getting tech at like one per four years. In my current game, the year is like 2320, and i get one tech per year!!! That was pretty hard, but my population is really massive, and my science bonus is of course +4 (currently, since i hvae the cloning vats (and every other wonder) anyway, i play police/green/power/cybernetic. Very good, esp that +4 planet. I have cities with 120 minerals but only 20 eco-damage. (Gravships are absolutely amazing. Currently, even though im transcending, im having fun pumping out a 24-12-16*4 blink, radar fleet of gravships. Damn they're good!!!)
McJorge	posted 03-28-99 11:22 AM ET You know what they say about people who assume. I tried the demo on level three once, but it's been nothing but level five or six since then. You say you've been attacked by SAM fighters often. What's often? Two or three times a game? They are no deterrent to an air assault. Face it boys and girls, this AI sucks. Have you ever tried to trade bases with a computer opponent. If you have a treaty or a pact they give away the candy store every time. I know a good AI is not easy to come up with, but if this is the best they can do, I'll stick to chess.
Rasputine	posted 03-28-99 11:47 AM ET Mcjorge, i noticed the same and thought 'why hell don't the AI use SAM?'... well, i was fighting Spartans with the Peackeepers more to protect my allies (Gaians) that to defend myself. I send a probe team to get some info on the Spartans Base production...they were producing a Missile Tactical and a Planet buster!(among a lot of powerful troops). The problem is that if you attack the base that is getting the missile tactical up and destroy one of their defending units, AI imediately change to a defending ground unit. Seems to be out of his priorities but, well, AI builds SAM. Anyway, i agree with a previous post, there are plenty of ways of getting fun with this game, and even more ways of taking out advantage of AIs lacks ( in all games)... whenever you became bored with the AI try the Multiplayer, it's always great Rasputine
Rasputine	posted 03-28-99 11:47 AM ET Mcjorge, i noticed the same and thought 'why hell don't the AI use SAM?'... well, i was fighting Spartans with the Peackeepers more to protect my allies (Gaians) that to defend myself. I send a probe team to get some info on the Spartans Base production...they were producing a Missile Tactical and a Planet buster!(among a lot of powerful troops). The problem is that if you attack the base that is getting the missile tactical up and destroy one of their defending units, AI imediately change to a defending ground unit. Seems to be out of his priorities but, well, AI builds SAM. Anyway, i agree with a previous post, there are plenty of ways of getting fun with this game, and even more ways of taking out advantage of AIs lacks ( in all games)... whenever you became bored with the AI try the Multiplayer, it's always great Rasputine
McJorge	posted 03-28-99 11:57 AM ET I agree with you. I've played multiplayer and I think this is one of the best games I've ever played. Which is why I'm so disappointed with the AI. I've made secnarios where the computer sides star with mobile SAM units and have had some really good games. The computer builds and uses them. UNTILL you repeal UN charter, then they start on chemical weapons and forget all about SAMs and then I walk all over them. I've tried all kinds of changes in the alpha text files but nothing seems to really work well enough. I think only B Reynolds has the power to make this game what it could be.
Plato90s	posted 03-28-99 12:34 PM ET Actually, I've fought AI factions which had dozens of air-superiority fighters and almost all infantry units had AAA. But I do agree it's strange that the AI never builds any SAM-equipped land units. Then again, I rarely build those either. That 50% ground attack penalty is a bit of a pain. Also, in a recent game, I noticed Miriam was using a large number of X-infantry units, indicating she has armed them with Nerve gas.
McJorge	posted 03-28-99 12:59 PM ET I never build many SAM land units because the computer builds so few air units. But the 50% land penalty for SAMs is only for air to ground, check it out. Land to land is at normal odds. I guess the reason the computer builds so few SAMs is because it buils so few air units. I wish it would use more of both and force me to use new tactics.
MadMordigan	posted 03-28-99 09:21 PM ET The AI in this game is pretty weak all around. The PLANET is tough, but the Players can usually be smoked due to their lack of aggressive planning. For example, I have played TI several times now, and every time there has been only one major antagonist to my domination. In each case, I found that aggresive patrolling of our borders has been enough to keep them at bay until I was ready to launch an assault. Why the computer will settle to build 10+ defensive units in a major city but wont build the 5-8 offensive units it would require them to kick my ass of the continent, I will never understand.Its either AAA sentinels or PB's. Why not add a routine "build lots of cheap mobile units, and throw them at the human". Anyways, its a fun game. Just wish the AI was a little more fearsome.