Better AI mod?

[DirtyMartini]

So, what am I going to notice if I install the better AI mod? I'm currently running BTS 3.17 with the unofficial patch (don't think it's the newest version -- I think I quit updating it when Solver stopped working on it).

I usually Play Now! on Monarch; Epic; Fractal or Continents.

[eris]

First off, the unofficial patch work was carried on by Dresden, who very carefully maintained Solver's approach. (Solver left Civ to pursue another religion.) I highly recommend get the latest version of Dresden's patch.

I have not yet installed Better AI. I am barely holding on against the AI as it is. But I have read its forum with great interest. If you are inquiring, I would assume it is because you are looking for more challenge from the AI as opposed to my nearly coping with them.

There is a list of features and behavior changes there. My summary is that they will fight a little better, work their economies a little better, and seemingly scheme a little more shrewdly. If you are expecting big changes, you will be disappointed. But all the little changes can add up to an AI that will surprise you now and then, and overall be subtly more challenging and less brain dead in many of its decisions. It would be like drinking a few beers with a good buddy and playing chess, only he suddenly got about a beer and a half more sober.

[Thedrin]

I only recently installed it so can't comment on how different the AI will be, but I believe the Better AI mod comes with the latest version of the unofficial patch

[DirtyMartini]

I installed it and played it over the weekend. I turned on Aggressive AI too and moved down a difficulty level to Prince. Ended up with a domination victory as Augustus in 1870 (contintents map). I thought the AI behavior was more interesting, but it was hard to tell if it was really better. Changing three variables at once kinda complicates the analysis I guess.

It was a fun game. Forgive the following pseudo-brag post. Built Great wall early. Rushed Rameses and his Hindu shrine. Shaka sent stacks after me: stacks in my territory + imperialistic + great wall = great general madness. I spent one on a medic III chariot. The rest (except one for a military academy) got settled in the heroic epic city. I had 9 settled by the end of the game. (With Pentagon and building bonuses, I was putting out 24xp tanks without running vassalage or theocracy). I probably should have spread them around a little more, but I had two additional conquered cities with 3 settled ggs each, so I didn't really see the point.

I had generated 10 GGs through combat and the free one from Facism by the time I won. Fun. I think I like that method of getting high xp units better than the charismatic method.

[DirtyMartini]

Is there a way to install Better AI as a mod (rather than replacing the DLL in the assets folder) but still have it autoload when you launch BTS? .ini file or something?

I thought I had seen it mentioned someplace, but I can't find it.

[snoopy369]

Umm, just to clear up one SLIGHT misconception... Solver did not write the BetterAI mod nor did he pursue another religion. Blake was the chap who originally wrote BetterAI, and eventually the AI for BtS. He's now a Buddhist Monk in the middle of the south pacific somewhere.

[Willem]

He's now a Buddhist Monk in the middle of the south pacific somewhere.

Some people will do anything for a tropical vacation.

[eris]

Umm, just to clear up one SLIGHT misconception... Solver did not write the BetterAI mod nor did he pursue another religion. Blake was the chap who originally wrote BetterAI, and eventually the AI for BtS. He's now a Buddhist Monk in the middle of the south pacific somewhere.

Thank you. I had a separation between brain and fingers there and typed the wrong name. Darn.

[snoopy369]

Some people will do anything for a tropical vacation.

Given that he started out in the middle of the south pacific [New Zealand], it's not much of a move

[Blaupanzer]

Saying Solver was gone did give me a nasty jolt. However, I noted his presence all about, and went back to normal breathing rythms.

[DirtyMartini]

Is anyone else running the current version of the Better AI mod? I think is is integrated into several other popular mods, but I'm not sure.

[Jaybe]

Revolutions mod (and also HephMod) utilizes Better AI, but it's version 0.41, not 0.60.

Revolutions is also by jdog5000. He has links to the mod in his sig.

[DirtyMartini]

So, what's your experience with the mod vs without?

What things does the AI do better?

I installed it a few months ago and I'm not sure I like it. The AI techs like crazy and defends much better, particularly against an early rush. As I posted above, I had one rousing success with it -- but aggressive AI was on, which, AFAIK, slows the AI tech rate due to greater cantankerousness. Since then, I seem to fall behind almost no matter what. Thoughts?

[wodan11]

So what's not to like?

[Jaybe]

DM, you're not going to be able to notice each AI improvement every game. Not only may it not occur, but it may not be visible to YOU while the AI is doing it.

Tech tree choices; idiotic fleet movements vs. attempts to make them not so idiotic; aircraft use, bomber use with/without opposing interceptors, airbase evacuation procedures (ack! we're abut to be overrun!), and fighter use (air strikes vs. intercept); ...

Actually, I don't do civ game comparisons that well. Each game is so unique and complex I suspect those that DO game comparisons aren't really doing that good a job of it either.