AI is very challenging on easy

Yes, I'm a casual gamer, but please read before you blow me off

from Stardock Forums

I've played about 4 games so far, and I've lost every one of them by a wide margin. The AI power ratings are usually 5-10 higher than mine.

I've tried different playing styles. One where I concentrated on magic, the other military. Even when I did a straight path down the miliatary tech tree and churned out a bunch of units, the AI always had larger armies, and more powerfull units.

Magic path? Forget about it. Magic in this game seems very underpowered relative to military options.

The two balanced games where I researched all trees about equally didn't fare much better.

In my last game, the AI declaired war on me fairly early. I barely survived the attack of a strangly powerful (early game) AI army, and then the next turn, the AI sent some allied monster (like on oversized oger) after me. which finished me off.

Honestly I'm getting fustrated. SD claims the AI doesn't cheat, but how does it grow so powerfull so fast. Why is it always multiples of my power rating?

I've sucessfully beaten Alpha Centauri, Civ 4, and GC2 on moderate levels, so I'm not a stranger to 4x games.

Does anyone else feel the game is unbalanced?

On another note, when SD releases an update, how do Steam customers load the update?

Thanks!

 

2,795 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Honestly I'm getting fustrated. SD claims the AI doesn't cheat, but how does it grow so powerfull so fast. Why is it always multiples of my power rating?
End of quote

The AI starting points do not have the same luxuries that you have around your starting points. For example, the AI has many many more monsters to deal with around their starting points (thus more xp and loot). Secondly, the AI probably does a lot more diplomacy than you each turn making negotiated deals all the time. Thirdly, the AI does a lot of quests, but the AI cannot do quests like the player does quests and so has a percentage chance of succeeding in the quest. Quests give you a lot of good stuff and xp. Also, when you have lots of money do you rush units to settle more cities or make armies? This can go a long way in your power rating.

I'm not saying that the AI doesn't cheat, but these are all factors which make the AI more powerful in a 4x game.

On another note, when SD releases an update, how do Steam customers load the update?
End of quote

As long as you have the steam client set-up to automatically update, the client will automatically download the new update and install it when it is available.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Steam will probably update your game automatically.

 

The start of the game can be difficult.  It's a good idea to expand with pioneers or rush with troops/ early.  And you should have a plan with your researching.  Depending on your sov/faction and available resources, you might want to avoid researching into the magic tech tree for some time.  Generally the first levels of the other two trees will serve you much better early on.  As for spells, you need to know what spells you are going for.  Fire2 flamedart is an early usefull one, Death 2 shadowbolt and blind are also good, water 1 has slow and water 4 has blizzard I think.  You need to think of counters to large powerful creatures like monsters and juggernauts, and think about how to deal with enemy soldiers too.  Also, make use of city enchants.  Starting with a sov that has earth 1 and water 1 will give you the ability to boost your cities production and research from turn 1.  

 

Also, don't be so worried about the actual score that the AI nations have, they are often boosted by population and tons of weak troops like scouts. 

Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting parrottmath, reply 1

Honestly I'm getting fustrated. SD claims the AI doesn't cheat, but how does it grow so powerfull so fast. Why is it always multiples of my power rating?


The AI starting points do not have the same luxuries that you have around your starting points. For example, the AI has many many more monsters to deal with around their starting points (thus more xp and loot). Secondly, the AI probably does a lot more diplomacy than you each turn making negotiated deals all the time. Thirdly, the AI does a lot of quests, but the AI cannot do quests like the player does quests and so has a percentage chance of succeeding in the quest. Quests give you a lot of good stuff and xp. Also, when you have lots of money do you rush units to settle more cities or make armies? This can go a long way in your power rating.

I'm not saying that the AI doesn't cheat, but these are all factors which make the AI more powerful in a 4x game.

End of parrottmath's quote

 

Thanks for your reply parrottmath. I understand the player usually has an advantage, so the AI gets certain bonuses to compensate, but these bonuses IMO, imbalance the game.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Lord, reply 2
The start of the game can be difficult.  It's a good idea to expand with pioneers or rush with troops/ early.  And you should have a plan with your researching.  Depending on your sov/faction and available resources, you might want to avoid researching into the magic tech tree for some time.  Generally the first levels of the other two trees will serve you much better early on.  As for spells, you need to know what spells you are going for.  Fire2 flamedart is an early usefull one, Death 2 shadowbolt and blind are also good, water 1 has slow and water 4 has blizzard I think.  You need to think of counters to large powerful creatures like monsters and juggernauts, and think about how to deal with enemy soldiers too.  Also, make use of city enchants.  Starting with a sov that has earth 1 and water 1 will give you the ability to boost your cities production and research from turn 1.  

 

Also, don't be so worried about the actual score that the AI nations have, they are often boosted by population and tons of weak troops like scouts. 
End of Lord's quote

Thanks Lord Xia,

But isn't the power rating, in part, how the AI decides whether or not to attack you?

I will defintely try the pioneer/troop rush, and avoid the magic path!

 

 

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

It does, so getting to civics tech, and spears, then rushing a couple basic spear troops, will boost your scores.  Leather armored spear users are solid troops.

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Lord, reply 6
Leather armored spear users are solid troops.
End of Lord's quote

What he said.

Hm thought I posted on this thread, meaby it was a similarly named thread? But luckily the mighty lord Xia helped you ;)

Sincerely
~ Kongdej