Fractal Softworks Forum

Starsector => Suggestions => Topic started by: keantmp on June 15, 2021, 09:00:39 PM

Title: Colossus Mk. III does not appear to have carrier AI.
Post by: keantmp on June 15, 2021, 09:00:39 PM
As the title says, the Colossus Mk. III does not appear to have 'carrier AI'. That is, when equipped with only point defense weapons and fighters/bombers, it will still try to engage enemy ships using its hull mounted weapons. When I outfit them with 2 wings of strike craft and (only) 2-3 LMGs they will attempt to front line with the rest of the general combat ships.

If I had to guess I assume this is bugged because they're simply not marked as carriers due to having converted fighter bays. It's exacerbated by the command system because if you tell them to eliminate an enemy to use their strike craft, they will try to get in range with the LMGs. To make matters worse they're quite fragile in the first place.

Edit: It's the Mk. III, not Mk. II
Title: Re: Colossus Mk. II does not appear to have carrier AI.
Post by: Alex on June 16, 2021, 11:11:53 AM
Hi - thanks for the report! This actually isn't a bug; the Colossus Mk.III is flagged as a "combat" carrier, meaning it's willing to fight on the front line like the Mora or the Legion. That's possibly a questionable tactical choice, but it's a pirate vessel...
Title: Re: Colossus Mk. II does not appear to have carrier AI.
Post by: AcaMetis on June 16, 2021, 11:17:47 AM
It might be a pirate vessel, but given that it might not necessarily be used by pirates I don't feel like it should be recklessly suicidal by default. And "recklessly suicidal" is more of a Pather thing anyway.
Title: Re: Colossus Mk. II does not appear to have carrier AI.
Post by: Megas on June 16, 2021, 12:29:21 PM
It might be a pirate vessel, but given that it might not necessarily be used by pirates I don't feel like it should be recklessly suicidal by default. And "recklessly suicidal" is more of a Pather thing anyway.
Eh, Pathers act the most like pirates.  So-called pirates act more like demon zombies bent on universal annihilation.
Title: Re: Colossus Mk. II does not appear to have carrier AI.
Post by: Realm on June 17, 2021, 12:57:35 PM
Hi - thanks for the report! This actually isn't a bug; the Colossus Mk.III is flagged as a "combat" carrier, meaning it's willing to fight on the front line like the Mora or the Legion. That's possibly a questionable tactical choice, but it's a pirate vessel...
Wouldn't questionable tactical choices be covered by the doctrine of the Pirates faction itself, as well as the Aggressive/Reckless personalities common to their Officers? It seems a bit unusual that a player fleet or steady Officer treats it like it's a real combat vessel and not a floating cardboard box.
Title: Re: Colossus Mk. II does not appear to have carrier AI.
Post by: keantmp on June 18, 2021, 12:50:14 PM
Hi - thanks for the report! This actually isn't a bug; the Colossus Mk.III is flagged as a "combat" carrier, meaning it's willing to fight on the front line like the Mora or the Legion. That's possibly a questionable tactical choice, but it's a pirate vessel...
Well, in that case I guess all I can say is that I think that's a poor choice especially when they're only armed with PD weapons (so poor, in fact, I thought it was a bug!).

Seeing as we're in the suggestion forum, what if this were settable in game? I'm imaging a simple 'fleet role' drop down on the fitting screen where you pick from the existing ship AI roles (combat carrier/carrier/brawler/harassment/etc.). It might also make tuning the AI easier if you know what the player wants vs. guessing based on load outs and ship hulls? In fact, thinking about it, it kinda seems like people are pigeonholed into only one role/fit for each AI piloted ship right now?
Title: Re: Colossus Mk. III does not appear to have carrier AI.
Post by: WeiTuLo on June 18, 2021, 04:02:21 PM
When it was possible for Xyphos to escort ships other than their own, other carriers would often send them to help, but the Colossus would almost never do it, limiting their usefulness.