How is this possible?

from Stardock Forums

I know the devs have said the AI doesn't cheat. I take their word for that. Still I'd like to know *how* a situation I came across in a game is possible.

I started a gigantic galaxy with uncommon good planets. Everyone was at 'normal' except the Altarians who were at 'bright'. As it happens they were the first race I met at around turn 40.

When I went to the trade screen for my first tech trade and was blown away by what the Altarians had. Eight settled planets with eight colony ships in reserve and at least two defenders. A boatload of techs under their belt and a treasury still in the black.

How the heck is it possible for then to be so far ahead so early in the game?
460 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I think the AI does cheat at the top 2 levels, but I am not sure if it cheats at bright.

With 100% military spending I was able to crank out colony ships every few turns in a small galaxy with no bonus to production. The rest of their wealth I cannot explain...
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Brad indicated it only cheats at the very highest setting, and with an economic bonus. The AI is very quick and efficient. If you dawdle or make any bad decisions, it will get ahead.

fleabitfox
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
8 colonies at turn 40? Doesn't sound impossible.

The uncommon good planets part doesn't prove they're cheating, it just means they got a lucky starting location.

Assuming they lease each of those colony ships at a rate of 1 per turn (which is generously slow, once they have more than one colony they could lease more than one at once), that's sixteen turns to build them, another 24 to reach the planets in question (keep in mind, the AI already knows where all the good planets in the galaxy are... that's part of the game's backstory).

As for the financial aspect of that, if they've met any other civs it's quite possible they swapped techs and even picked up some money to finance the leasing.

Really, it looks like good play to me, not cheating.

- Ash
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
'(keep in mind, the AI already knows where all the good planets in the galaxy are... that's part of the game's backstory).'

Actually, they only know where the yellow stars are. They basically have the effect of Stellar Cartography from the start of the game.

That said, it's still a big aid in finding good planets when every system you check will have class 14s or above.

And that is the only special advantage the AI has except on the very highest intelligence setting.

~SDC~
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Actually, I didn't think the AI was cheating. I just wanted to know how they did it so I could use their tactics. ;)

I'm playing a new game where I was a bit more aggressive at the beginning and I'm doing better. I generally like to turtle in 4x games, and that doesn't seem to work very well here. 5-yr tech sales contracts is giving my economy a much need boost in this game.

I don't like that the AI instantly knows where all the yellow suns are. They should have to find them just like the players do.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
"I don't like that the AI instantly knows where all the yellow suns are. They should have to find them just like the players do."

I agree; this is one of the few things about the game I think needs to be changed.


RR
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
"Actually, they only know where the yellow stars are. They basically have the effect of Stellar Cartography from the start of the game."

OK, fine, if you want to be technical about it. :p ;) Since most of the good planets are around yellow stars, they know where MOST of the good planets are. Better? :)

"asharak- uh huh."

To what? My lazy math?

- Ash

~SDC~
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
'"Actually, they only know where the yellow stars are. They basically have the effect of Stellar Cartography from the start of the game."

OK, fine, if you want to be technical about it. Since most of the good planets are around yellow stars, they know where MOST of the good planets are. Better?'

The main point is that they don't know were _good_ planets are, just _average or better_. They still derive a time advantage from it, because they aren't chancing finding a system with five class 1s, but it's not quite the advantage people make it out to be.

~SDC~