Really annoying...

Isn't that already implemented in the latest build?

I have read that somewhere by one of the dev folks (Frogboy, I think) that allies do not have to go to war with you if your the non-aggressor ie: On the defensive in the new version of the AI.

On the other paw though, you have been fobbing off attempts from the Drengin, Yor and Arcean for advanced technology in mass drivers for the last 30 weeks. One-on-One they are no match for you. Two fronts stretch you out leaving a glaring opening for the third ally to come in the proverbial back door and your caught with your tail wagging in the breeze. So yes they all can declare war on you in the gold version as I understand it even if you are the defensive person.

The good news is that your allies will respond in kind to attacks on you. However, until I see how well the gold version AI is to previous AI's performs, which if I read right is currently an 8 of 10 vice a 5 of 10 for intelligence, we will just have to wait and see (my guess is that the AI allies will promise the world and be there to pick up the pieces so to speak when you have to surrender to them).

Better to have a damn good planetary defense and a ring of starbases in my thoughts and when the time comes the rest of the galaxy shall bow down and worship the Great Kat.

W/R
Suralle Straykat
Kat Lord @ Large

Remember kits, 60% of what comes out of another leaders mouth is pure, unadultrated, waste by-products and if they can go in your litter box... they will.

It's true, you're a lot less likely to see the galaxy split into two groups permenantly at war with each other in fact.

Also, the AI has definitely gotten better, my most recent game (the almost-gold release) is the first time I've ever felt the need to start building a defensive fleet out of anything larger than small hulls. Usually I use a single fast, cheap ships for defending my colonies. Fast so that they can knock out any transports that come near (though even that is getting harder, the AI's getting better at escorting them, which is why I need defenders that can hit harder), and cheap so that if the AI brings any serious military by, I can replace the defenders shortly after the AI fleets get bored and wander off (which is the part that starts falling apart when my defenders need to be able to hit hard).

Also, the AI has definitely gotten better, my most recent game (the almost-gold release) is the first time I've ever felt the need to start building a defensive fleet out of anything larger than small hulls.

On what level are you playing Popup?
Just curious to see more reports about the current AI.

I usually play with the AI at Intelligent (full algorithms, no cheating)

I can say that the AI gives me difficulties on a regular basis... I tend to be a pretty peaceful player, and the bullies in the galaxy take that as an invitation to declare war

i have the same strategy as you though as soon as i get ahead in weapons defense hulls and miniturization i build an unstoppable megafleet and declare war on everyone and everything and usually win (couple times i had minor miscalculations)

I'm playing with the AI on Bright I think (most algorithms, no bonuses or penalties, whatever the step right below Intelligent is). In Beta, I'd be able to out-expand the AI by ignoring my military and just expand like crazy making sure my economy was up to the expansion. I'd wind up surrounding at least one AI player by continuing to expand after they slowed down (on a gigantic map), and then building a military when someone declares war.

That doesn't work with the Gamma. First, I'm not surrounding anyone, the AI seems to be able to tell better when to shift from expansion to exploitation, and second, I've found it harder to catch up from behind militarily. The AI pushes its advantage harder, though still not as well as a human with killer instincts would.

The first time I was swatting the Yor around with 6 beam, 12 shield, 7 speed ships (before bonuses), and along comes a "heavy fighter" with an attack of 36 when I had the technical advantage, my jaw dropped But, I adapted and found the weakness of that design (10 hit points and no defenses, the definition of glass cannon, hence I went on an intense offensive), and now the Yor are probably considering surrendering to someone. I hope they're down and out before they start equiping larger ships with those Psyon based weapons, those HURT.

Summary: new AI good, loads of fun.

Sounds like a good deal of fun Popup!

A 36 attack ship with obvious weaknesses.
Sure sounds like a fun counter. I think this will really make the game fun. Constantly adapting to your worst enemies! The endless possibilities of betting everything on one type of weapon or trying to make a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none kind of ship.