Monkey see, mokey do?

from GalCiv2 Forums
Ok, this may be a question for Brad, but maybe someone else knows. How much do the AI's design their own ships and how much do they just copy from the player?

I ask because the other night I was in a pinch militarily and started using cargo hulls loaded with a ton of guns. They were used as disposable ships and relied on superior numbers. Additionally, they were fast a cheap to build! Anyways, a while later I find the Terrans have done the same thing, using cargo hulls and loading them up... Only this time, they put weapons and defenses on it (something which totally defeated their purpose)

So is this just a case of an AI seeing my design and figuring there must be some merit to it and copying? Or was it a cosmic coincidence because I have never seen an AI do that on its own,
16,292 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Man, you've got a fat wad of medals up there. I need to do some Metaversing and try to catch up.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

The AI doesn't use players designs at all.

Also, the AI doesn't put guns on cargo hulls. It literally doesn't know about cargo hulls other than for specialized ships.

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Is that entirely true? I've seen, for instance, freighters that the AI has armed...
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Ok, there isnt anyone who knows the AI code better than you do... But could you explain what is going on then?

This is an entire fleet.



Upon closer inspection, I can see they aren't cargo hulls (I spend most of my time zoomed way out) But that still doesn't explain their hit points...







Bug perhaps?
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I believe there a bill that gets passed that will give freighters a basic armament. If I remember correctly.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
When ships are being upgraded they have their hit points reduced to one until the upgrade is completed. Is it possible these ships are in the midst of an upgrade?


Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
most likely they are in the midst of an upgrade and you should take advantage of it
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That is possible, but doubtful considering how deep in my territory they were. An upgrade where they were at would take an awful long time... Don't worry Drakon, they were "dealt with"
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I've definitely seen minor races equipping hulls with more than one or two guns, so you never know.

Frogboy may say it can't, but perhaps his AI has evolved and is preparing to take over the United States military system.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Terminator reference aside, I think for Galactic Civ's AI that might be setting expectations a little low.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I don't know how they got to 1 HP -- other than being upgraded.

Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
i have also seen frieghters armed to the teeth although they didn't have any defenses
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Also, the AI doesn't put guns on cargo hulls. It literally doesn't know about cargo hulls other than for specialized ships.

I beg to differ.

In many, many games, especially in 1.4x, I see cargo hulls with weapons just floating around checking things out. They have no set destination, their icon is that of an unattached freighter, and they can be loaded very heavily. It is not uncommon to see them with around 300+ mass drivers.

Whenever I see a lot of freighters on the map that are not on a trade route I start checking them out. Usually somewhere around 2229-2231 I will start seeing them armed.

Maybe the AI is sneaking around behind your back, Frogboy?

(ya, ya, your kids are little angels too, right? You know everything they are up to and they would not be up to anything anyway because you know you can trust them...;-})