[bug] When a civilization declares war on me (AI strategy bug)

from GalCiv3 Forums

I was playing a game where I believe I was Drengin.   The Terrans decided to declare war on me.   I had no military to speak of as I was building my civilization.

I went to the diplomatic screen and purchased the entire Terran fleet.    I then used it to conquer the Terran planets the ships were already in the neighborhood.  They didn't have enough transport ships so I upgraded the colony ships I purchased to transports.   The first thing I did is take out their shipyards.

Now I like that I can converse with the other civilizations at any time.  I didn't like the timeout imposed in GC2 where you could not speak to a civilization for a while after you had spoken to them.   However If a civilization is currently at war with me, it probably shouldn't sell me its military equipment unless a peace accord is part of the deal.


Piracy:
If it was possible to use another civilization or pirates as intermediary to trade for tech / ships from civs we are at war with (black market).  Giving a letter of marque to Pirates could also be a possibility so they could capture unarmed ships (or armed ships if they have the firepower to force a surrender) from civilizations we are at war with and they could sell them to us for less than they are worth.    The pirates could use this method to gain strength every time there is a war.  Using their money to acquire ships and/or tech they copied from the black market negociations.   For example If I use the black market to purchase missle tech from the Krynn, then the Pirates would have this tech as well.   They could upgrade the ships they acquire.   A starbase that would be both Military and Economic could be their home base (with the pirates not having a home world.)  The AI could also make use of the Pirates.

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Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

The AI isn't written yet. What you have is some primitive AI that will do some things, and possibly beat you if you do something wrong. It is a place holder. Expect better AI later when they get serious about it.

When at war, the AI should be uncooperative. They shouldn't be making deals unless it is very much with in their favor, nor should they be willing to sell stuff that they need to win the war.

I agree with you about the frequency of diplomacy in GalCiv 2. I didn't like how the AI was not be willing to talk again for a while in GalCiv 2. If I recall correctly, this was an effort to deal with players who would abuse the ability to buy techs and then resell them to other civs. You buy 1 tech, you can then sell it to 8 other civs, then use those techs to buy the techs you still don't have, and then resell once more, repeat until you have nothing left to buy.

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

You can see why there's that delay. Sounds like it was a fairly simple exploit. You might get on well with your neighbours, but would you want them borrowing a cup of sugar every damn day!!? Constantly asking for stuff gets old quickly hence the delay but maybe GalCiv3 can get around having the delay by making AI a lot smarter about trading Techs/Planets/Money:

1: Here's what I have.

2: Here's what I need.

3: Here's what I want.

4: What Do I have that I don't want anyone else having for A: Any price or B: Anything less than a great price ie some Tech/Planet/Money that I need/want.

5: Before I agree to sell to Human, can I get better from another AI Race?

I've read this same complaint about colony trading. AI will - apparently, I've never tried it myself to be fair - merrily sell you it's 20 Level Planet for not too much compensation.

From a trading perspective, AI needs to know when to be a complete bastard when making deals. And also should know when it shouldn't even be talking to you. Being at open war should be a subtle hint (this is an obvious bug that will be an easy fix, not sure how easy implementing what I've suggested above will be).

 

 

 

 

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Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting mrblondini, reply 2


I've read this same complaint about colony trading. AI will - apparently, I've never tried it myself to be fair - merrily sell you it's 20 Level Planet for not too much compensation.
End of mrblondini's quote


Before the current version, you could trade any colony for any other if you were willing to pay the AI 1 credit.  I could trade a 20 level planet for Mars or Wisp and 1 credit for example.   So I kept trading colonies for worlds that would flip back to me. I was able to win a game mostly by trading worlds.

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

They also need to put modifiers on colonization ships... its very easy to buy a ship and 2.5bln ppl