Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Worldtraveller]

I've watched quite a few youtube channels about this game now to make sure I'm not, hopefully, just being stupid. :p  But the Ai is really getting frustrating in combat.

Some examples: My carriers (Moras, equipped with only PD weapons) charge in front of my cruisers, both getting themselves killed, and blocking the cruisers from firing.

Same with the Gryphons. I removed all  but the long range missiles and point defense, and they charge in point blank and use their PD weapons, even against bases.

I have experimented with issued defend location commands, but the 'tether' seems to be merely a suggestion to the AI, and they will literally wander 1/3 of the way across the space area to attack something they could hit with their Squalls from a safe distance. Rally seems to work slightly better (shorter tether?), but my carriers and missile cruisers will often then sit there and not fire unless given specific targets. That wouldn't be so bad, but with limited command points (not as much an issue any more with Ops Center on my flagship) it can affect the outcome of a big battle.

I know it's not just me, because I watch some of the videos and the players there are often yelling (rather amusingly, I may add) at the AI. Destroyers charging in and getting themselves killed when there's a Dominator or Eagle that could have easily soaked that damage and the DD was assigned as escort....

I'm trying to find AI friendly builds, maybe to help, but nothing seems to significantly affect the behavior of my ships. My fleet doctrine is set to steady, all my officers except one are steady (and the other is cautious, trying to keep at least one of my carriers safe). I can take screenshots, if it helps.

[WENth100]

Honestly I have the same issue with keeping my Nova from suiciding into the enemy formation as well. But the problem seems to be that you are using Moras which are tagged as "battlecarriers" so they will behave like normal combat vessels, so you may wanna get some Herons instead because those will not try to charge forward and engage enemies.

[CapnHector]

You just command the ships. Also if somebody is very frustrated by the AI it is probably not that helpful to watch them to learn even if it's funny.

Some videos (if you'll permit):

Pure carriers (Astral)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgEcwZHJJKs

Combat carriers (Legion)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzDkmvDZUSw

Nova
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZZKWI08Ajk

Basically just treat it as a learning process of learning to communicate effectively with the AI and come with no assumptions and you'll be fine. For example pure carriers require Rally and manually assigned Eliminate orders to work correctly while combat carriers are fine with Defend (assuming you want them to fight, you know).

[Alex]

Just FYI, if you put a "cautious" officer in either the Mora or the Gryphon, provided you only have point-defense weapons (aside from missiles), they'll try to stay away from the enemy. For the Mora, also, if you add longer-ranged missiles, it'll try to stay in missile range if you only have PD for your other guns.

[Nettle]

...Some videos (if you'll permit)...

Using pristine kite for command ship in only 1 of the videos, 4/10.

[CapnHector]

Guilty. Took me embarrassingly long to realize Kite (S) has 30 OP and is therefore the best flagship in the game. (Operations center for 1 DP with DO). Though Dram is just as good to be fair and hauls more fuel but is less stylish.

[SafariJohn]

Just FYI, if you put a "cautious" officer in either the Mora or the Gryphon, provided you only have point-defense weapons (aside from missiles), they'll try to stay away from the enemy. For the Mora, also, if you add longer-ranged missiles, it'll try to stay in missile range if you only have PD for your other guns.

On the flip side, IIRC cautious carriers will only send their fighters (not bombers ofc) to escort friendlies.

[Alex]

On the flip side, IIRC cautious carriers will only send their fighters (not bombers ofc) to escort friendlies.

The behavior of cautious/steady/timid is the same in terms of fighter use.

[Nick9]

I heard that if you put only PDs and missiles on (battle)carriers, they will try stand out of combat and use fighter strikes only. Can someone confirm?

[Lawrence Master-blaster]

Moras are combat carriers, them charging in is a feature.

I think the "problem" with Gryphons is known, AI just doesn't consider missiles when dictating range. Most players go around it by putting one HVD on them.

[Alex]

Moras are combat carriers, them charging in is a feature.

I think the "problem" with Gryphons is known, AI just doesn't consider missiles when dictating range. Most players go around it by putting one HVD on them.

Right, an HVD is definitely a workable solution. Also:

Just FYI, if you put a "cautious" officer in either the Mora or the Gryphon, provided you only have point-defense weapons (aside from missiles), they'll try to stay away from the enemy. For the Mora, also, if you add longer-ranged missiles, it'll try to stay in missile range if you only have PD for your other guns.

[Worldtraveller]

Just FYI, if you put a "cautious" officer in either the Mora or the Gryphon, provided you only have point-defense weapons (aside from missiles), they'll try to stay away from the enemy. For the Mora, also, if you add longer-ranged missiles, it'll try to stay in missile range if you only have PD for your other guns.

I tried this (removed all guns except Vulcans) and the missiles were Harpoons. The ships with no captain, cautious, and steady all behaved the same (they would close and use their Vulcans at point blank range).

[Nettle]

I also find the entire ordeal super confusing. For example, combat carriers with nothing but PD and missiles will faithfully stay within the missile range, but Gryphon never does that.

[Alex]

I tried this (removed all guns except Vulcans) and the missiles were Harpoons. The ships with no captain, cautious, and steady all behaved the same (they would close and use their Vulcans at point blank range).

Hm, I just tried this on the Gryphon and it works. Cautious personality, no officer; it's staying away from a Venture in the simulator.

I also find the entire ordeal super confusing. For example, combat carriers with nothing but PD and missiles will faithfully stay within the missile range, but Gryphon never does that.

I agree that it's confusing that there's a mismatch here - for carriers, a steady personality will be enough, but missile-only (plus PD) ships require cautious. Let me change it so "steady" works for both - there, done.

[IDA Frigate Captain]

Most players go around it by putting one HVD on them.

This. I was having no manner of trouble with my Gryphons team tanking until I slapped a HVD in their medium ballistic slot. Now they happily HVD pew pew from the backline while vomiting a torrent of Locusts at flanking frigates. Works a treat.