AI tuneup question/suggestion, Precursor resource nodes

from GalCiv3 Forums

Thanks to the 1.9 Map-size Kerfuffle I've finally been giving an Insane map a try. I guess I just doubted that my semi-serious rig from two years ago would hold it up well, but it is so far playing well. Loading saves and processing turns has gotten noticeable now that I'm nearing turn 300, but that's only because they are so blazing fast for me these days even on my usual pre-1.9 Immense maps.

So I'm not sure if what I think I'm seeing is an AI 'weakness' or more a reflection of how differently an Insane map with tight clusters plays and AIs on Normal.

My question is: Why do the AIs seem to be almost completely ignoring those immensely valuable resource nodes? My Snathi Revenge neighbors declared war on me 50-100 turns ago when they had a slightly better infrastructure, a vastly larger fleet, and we were not far apart tech-wise (or space-wise). I had already secured maybe 10-12 resource nodes and spotted two unused ones down in their area.

At this point, after some proactive aggression on my part, I've taken around 20% of their territory, more than doubled the resource nodes that I control across a scant third of the full map, and found yet another unused node right beside Snathi-controlled space.

(On the up side, they seem to have done a better job than I've seen so far of using starbases to get warships close to my worlds.)

30,103 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

thats because Frogboy decreased the amount of Starbases the AI builds,

i guess this is in preparation for the Administration-thingy

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

In my current SP game I was just noticing that they have gotten better at claiming resources.  They seem to be actively seeking out and claiming sites where there are 3 or more resources clumped together.  It may be an illusion based on some opportunistic behavior, but it has been quite effective.  Grabbing good resource locations used to be one of my reliable tricks for having range extending starbases.  Now I find myself taking second or third best places by the time I get across an Insane size galaxy.  Or, horror of horrors, actually having to build a military starbase for its actual military purpose!!  This is a test run on Genius to see things without some of the greater bonuses.  It doesn't look like they have a chance this game, but there are a lot of very encouraging signs of AI progress.  For me, in this game, claiming resources is one of those signs.

Also, Elerium is weirdly rare in this particular game, probably RNG suff.  I found myself having to hunt down single sources of Elerium in order to ensure I had some at all. That was a new experience as well.

They are still a little weak on relic hunting in void spaces, but that is getting better, too.

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thanks for the replies. I guess what I'm seeing is a subjectivity artifact based on it being my first insane map and 1.9 including some pretty substantial changes.

On a barely-related note, I've got something around 1/4 of the star clusters on this map explored and have yet to see a single Precursor World. Do either of you play with that DLC and have you observed anything about the distributions on insane maps?

I've played enough Immense maps to know that the R in the RNG is pretty good--me with 30+ worlds across three or four clusters and no PW yet, nasty neighbor barely started on a second cluster with 3 PWs, that sort of thing.

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I started my first insane map before leaving to visit relatives for the holidays, so since I'm away from my laptop I can't give you exact figures.  As I recall, though, I had about 30 planets with three precursor worlds.

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Publius, reply 4
I started my first insane map before leaving to visit relatives for the holidays, so since I'm away from my laptop I can't give you exact figures.  As I recall, though, I had about 30 planets with three precursor worlds.

I suspected I was just seeing the Rough side of the RNG...