AI build privateers?

[Jezz]

Has anyone seen the AI build privateers? I love them, especially since I usually go for naval techs first (i just like boats ). But while i've got literally a floating army of privateers running around, i've yet to see the AI build one.. let alone attack one of my galleons with one.... ?

[ajbera]

In a game from last night, my empire abutted the Americans. We were on relatively peaceful terms, neutral-positive with soem decent trade; I gained one of the American cities via cultural acquisition, and the American's attitude towards me declined. They shortly afterward signed a MPP with Japan, who chose to declare war a few turns later. As I was prepping for conflict, a couple of privateers came from the direction of American territory and proceeded to bombard my roads and mines (I'm playing with modified units), until I built some ironclads and sank the pirates. I only suspect it was the Americans, though evidence suggests I'm correct; regardless, the AI does build and use them, in my experience.

May I also take time to recommend Moraelin's exponential mod; coupled with increased hit points (doubled to 4/6/8/10), combat results are now much more realistic.

[The Eliminator]

I'm like you Jezz, I love naval technologies too! Unfortunately the AI does not use Privateers. I don't know why, but I wish they did!

[Sarxis]

Originally posted by The Eliminator
...Unfortunately the AI does not use Privateers. I don't know why, but I wish they did!

But didn't ajbera just say...?

Ah, nevermind.

[Grrr]

What about the one floating around Paris, sinking all my galleons with my armies!

[Kevin Ar18]

In one of my games the AI used a whole lot of privateers, ironclads, and other naval vessels. Later, they went to destroyers, submarines, battleships and carriers. If I still had the save game I'd send it to you, but I don't.
Also, the AI used an interesting strategy for once. They always and I mean ALWAYS had an attack vessel with a vessel that carries units.

For example, they had privateers with a galleon or galley.
In the modern era they used destroyers with transports and battleships with carriers. Also they had submarines roaming around and attacking my battleships.

[Kevin Ar18]

It seems I was wrong. The AI wasn't using privateers, they were using the other attack vessel. Can't remember what it's called.

[MonsterMan]

I've never seen the AI build privateers either, which is especially odd on my current huge archipelago map where a strong navy is essential for any AI war.

[steelehc]

Navies

It seems I was wrong. The AI wasn't using privateers, they were using the other attack vessel. Can't remember what it's called.

Frigates?

I've never seen the AI build privateers either, which is especially odd on my current huge archipelago map where a strong navy is essential for any AI war.

I have, I think. Unless they were barbarians.... (I modded my game so Barbs get riflemen, cavalry, and privateers in the modern era) Oh well.


Does anyone else think that there should be an upgrade for the frigate... like a "Ship-Of-The-Line" or some such thing? The English weren't the only ones with "Men-O-War."

Steele

[Kevin Ar18]

Yeah, Frigates.... that's it. The AI used frigates... and later ironclads... and later submarines, destroyers and battleships.

Like I said, I did have a game where 1 of the AI civs had a strong navy using the above mentioned techniques. However, their ships rarely attacked my ships even during time of war. It seems they were too busy protecting their transports. Later in the game they did bombard my shore though.

[Kc7mxo]

Hah. The AI in this game is far too intelligent to use those worthless privateers.

[steelehc]

Privateers

Privateers can be very useful. And fun. Especially if you mod the game to make them better, and capable of bombardment. Its especially fun to blockade an island, while at the same time pacificating them; ie giving them money, maps, tech, or luxuries. It isn't your fault if "those other guys" are blockading them, is it?

Steele

[pauli]

i think in ajbera's example, giving privateers the ability to bombard explains why the ai built them.

has anybody seen the ai build UNMODIFIED privateers?

[Skanky Burns]

has anybody seen the ai build UNMODIFIED privateers?

No - which is a good reflection on the AI, and a bad reflection on unit balancing.

[Encomium]

Originally posted by The Eliminator
I'm like you Jezz, I love naval technologies too! Unfortunately the AI does not use Privateers. I don't know why, but I wish they did!

The AI never uses them. I guess the AI realizes at the game's values they are not worth the cost.

I increased all naval units' values, including privateers. But still they are of limited use.

NOTE: In reality, submarines and privateers are designed to attack TRADE ROUTES and merchant shipping - NOT WARSHIPS. But Civ III is so poor at reflecting the real uses of navies, dozens of privateers on an enemy's trade route does NOT damage their commerce. This is dead wrong.

Also in the real world, warships did not muck around bombarding improvements; wooden ships certainly did not. I eliminated all bombardment capabilities from warships (except battleships).