Stopping AI from building out dated items?

[Advocate]

One thing about this game that really tweeks me is that the AI, when left alone to do its own thing, often builds out dated items. Here is an example:

I have BATTLESHIP tech, yet the AI repeatedly builds FRIGATES.
I have MechTroop, yet the AI builds Musketeers

Oh god, why don't we have a feature that tells the fricking AI NOT TO BUILD OUT DATED UNITS?

Hint hint hint to Civ Programers.....

 

[Zouave]

There's lots of even more stupid things the AI does.

One of the dumber things in Civ 2 was when it built battleships in lakes. You would think that problem would have been solved. Nope. My own governor starting building warships in a twelve tile border lake, that after the AI as England built a MOW in it.

I've also seen the AI trying to drop off a crummy few military units on my coastline with GALLEYS - even though I was patrolling the coastline with battleships.

 

[Sanaz]

Good point. Check out these related threads :

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10508

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21992

 

[Advocate]

I think this is the same AI from CIV2, just slightly updated for Civ 3. A way to save money I guess.

The most frustrating thing about the game is the AI and lack of features to control what it does.

A simple no build obslete in combination with an obslete command would greatly improve game play.

Hell even if they would incorperate some RTS features such as Draging to highlight all unites in an area, and a combine all units command, would make my day.

I would also like the ability to build military bases, and have them build nothing but units. This way I don't have to build a city right next door to a hostile enemy.

No matter what they say, this game is seriously dated. The lack of features, poor AI, horrible unit control, and wacky support just make this game a waste of money and time.

I wonder what Civ 4 will be like?

 

[Andre]

If there will be one, that is.

 

[Kilroy]

Did you ever consider that the AI perhaps doesn't have the TECHNOLOGY required to build these better units? You do realize that after the requisite technology is discovered, obsolete units can no longer be built?

As for the AI keeping around old units (rather than disbanding or upgrading them), that's a different issue altogether. But, that's not what you appear to be concerned about.

 

[Masquerouge]

I would rather agree with Kilroy, here. it's not that the AI build obsolete units, it is just that it keeps them. Forever, it seems. Which explains the 50-unit army that invaded my territory in 1820 AD, composed only of bowmen and spearmen. Even if you can crush it easily with cav and artillery, it is still a pain in the a** because it takes time.

There are other more important problems with the Ai, military speaking. Like Walking in plains right next to moutains, for instance. But at least now the AI do not hesitate to invade with a consequent force gathered in one spot, not like in Civ2 where units would come randomly from any directions...

 

[RX2000]

It has been my experience that, for whatever reason, the AI just doesnt want to UPGRADE its units. It seems like the AI uses all its cash to rush build or something. In all my games the AI seems to be perma-broke. When I pay them 1000 gold for a tech or 2, it is usually gone by the next turn. I think that for some reason they like to rush tons of junk instead of upgrading their existing stuff, or even disbanding it to use the shields to build new stuff.

 

[Graeme the mad]

Errmmm in my experience the AI always upgrades it units - its the only way the persians could possibly have 200 mech infantry at the moment (of course Im bigger) check with spies and you'll find fewer than you think. Of course cavalry and longbowmen are always kept around until they die - do you disband yours? - tjhough they may take awya gold they give you military strength (a fault with the game I agree but never mind that)

 

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by Graeme the mad
Errmmm in my experience the AI always upgrades it units - its the only way the persians could possibly have 200 mech infantry at the moment (of course Im bigger) check with spies and you'll find fewer than you think. Of course cavalry and longbowmen are always kept around until they die - do you disband yours? - tjhough they may take awya gold they give you military strength (a fault with the game I agree but never mind that)

I agree. In nearly all my games, the AI upgrades nearly all units. Though there are usually a few stragglers that don't get upgraded for various reasons. If the AI is doing poorly, it may not upgrade because it is poor. So if you are winning big time and running over them with tanks, then they may not have the cash on hand.

In addition, I have seen posts from human players who don't bother to upgrade units in interior cities. I'm sure if things turned badly and they were invaded by superior forces, they too would lack the cash to upgrade. The AI would not complain though.

 

[DrJambo]

an easy solution is to make swordsmen and longbowmen upgradable to riflemen or marines...

If you make it riflemen for instance then they can never build these units again once Nationalism is discovered as riflemen have no prerequisite resources.

 

[alpha wolf 64]

Actually IMO, you are both correct. The AI does upgrade AND it also has large armies of obsolete units. This makes sense since an "army" on the move will not be in a city, so cannot upgrade. It would be nice if the AI "armies" would take a small detour , if possible, into a city for upgrading before it starts its big invasion.