Discuss the AI here!

[Leo Sagan]

With all the heat about it in the forums, I thought I'd notice a *HUGE* change in the AI, but it turns out I didn't see much of a difference 1vs1. Admittedly, I didn't fight that much in beta nor post release. Still, I just press fire, use a shield cell from time to time and maybe a little FA OFF to get behind the AI but that's pretty much it (met a few dangerous condas, elite fdls and pythons and some small fry). Yeah, I noticed they use new tactics and some engineers toys but really nothing that efficient so far.

1vs3 or 4 ships is another story though, and I had a few close calls in threat 4 USS, especially in a 1 vs 4 when I lost shields despite spamming two 6A shield cells in a row in seconds. Which sounds about right IMHO : 1v4 should be rough, and even unsoloable most of the time.

This was with a rather poorly fitted Anaconda, after several weeks exploring (I didn't even remember my heat sink launcher keybind
And I'm not a good combat pilot to begin with, so I wouldn't say the AI is that good now. More logical, more immersive and more interesting, probably.

Now it doesn't mean that there are no bugs / unbalances, but I didn't meet them yet.

 

[Nagata's Reaper]

After reading this thread, I'd say the Draugr have definitely been training.

Spoiler

http://i.imgur.com/8M1cj3Q.jpg

While we were waiting for Engineers... the NPC's were training, acquiring all the level 5 mods.

 

[Ghural]

The new AI is awsome. Finally the game is challenging.

I'm not surprised that players that focus on credits per hour angry. Imagine having to work harder to progress as opposed to mode switching to collect missions and treating NPC anacondas like credit piñatas.

Also I think it's too soon to form an opinion, players need time to adapt and figure out new strategies.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

I am posting this here to show people what a starting player-in a stock Sidewinder-is likely to face in their first few days in the game. Notice two key things:

1) your opponents are rarely-if ever-going to be above novice.

2) You're almost always going to be limited to Medium-High security systems.....meaning you can always count on a rapid security response.....especially if you turn on "Report Crimes against me".

Enjoy.[video=youtube;88ZH9rbdHKI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88ZH9rbdHKI&feature=youtu.be[/video]

 

[Dave1029]

I'm incredibly sick of seeing people say "learn." Most people are not having issues with the AI that don't have God weapons. Like someone mentioned in another threat... Just because *you* haven't been bitten by the shark yet, doesn't mean they aren't out there. You just haven't met OP invincible God AI yet. I have. 40% of the community has.

 

[Khelder]

We're sorry, you're Playing Wrong(tm) and need to Get Good(c).

Clearly

 

[insideitall]

I don't think it's as black and white as too hard or too easy.
since the update i've defiantly had my fair share of 100% shields to 50% hull with a breached cockpit in 5 seconds moments.
But i've also had a fair share of 'the heck? i killed it already?' moments.

What i find most frustrating is how absurdly quick ship modules malfunction or become destroyed now, how every NPC has rail guns that rip right through the best shields, ships that have god mode maneuverability enabled.
And on the other spectrum, sitting in a RES trying to find bounties just to have it turn into a sausage fest of fed ships that destroy everything that's wanted in a second flat, you can't even scan them half the time.

The previous patch was far from balanced too mind you, i just think this patch took a step backwards instead of forwards.

 

[Nagata's Reaper]

With all the heat about it in the forums, I thought I'd notice a *HUGE* change in the AI, but it turns out I didn't see much of a difference 1vs1. Admittedly, I didn't fight that much in beta nor post release. Still, I just press fire, use a shield cell from time to time and maybe a little FA OFF to get behind the AI but that's pretty much it (met a few dangerous condas, elite fdls and pythons and some small fry). Yeah, I noticed they use new tactics and some engineers toys but really nothing that efficient so far.

1vs3 or 4 ships is another story though, and I had a few close calls in threat 4 USS, especially in a 1 vs 4 when I lost shields despite spamming two 6A shield cells in a row in seconds. Which sounds about right IMHO : 1v4 should be rough, and even unsoloable most of the time.

This was with a rather poorly fitted Anaconda, after several weeks exploring (I didn't even remember my heat sink launcher keybind
And I'm not a good combat pilot to begin with, so I wouldn't say the AI is that good now. More logical, more immersive and more interesting, probably.

Now it doesn't mean that there are no bugs / unbalances, but I didn't meet them yet.

You know nothing John Snow, in fact we all know nothing.... "Oh you have Level 5 Engineer mods on EVERYTHING Mr NPC? Who knew..eject eject eject"

 

[Calrissian]

This new AI ROCKS! They fight like PILOTS now and not players!

I'm loving it! They appear to be adaptive and do maneuvers.

Still some bugs to iron out though FD.

 

[Nagata's Reaper]

I am posting this here to show people what a starting player-in a stock Sidewinder-is likely to face in their first few days in the game. Notice two key things:

1) your opponents are rarely-if ever-going to be above novice.

2) You're almost always going to be limited to Medium-High security systems.....meaning you can always count on a rapid security response.....especially if you turn on "Report Crimes against me".

Enjoy.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88ZH9rbdHKI&feature=youtu.be

Could've cut the first 2min from that video

 

[CosmicBooty]

The ai has never been better, don't ruin this and make FD change it!

 

[Duane Dibbley]

Just like the 'ooh it's tooooo hard' interdiction mini-game fuss..in time people get used to it & adapt - that storm has blown itself out!..don't want to appear smug, but i'm pretty much at 100% success now when I concentrate (even against players attempting to interdict me, my escape rate is at 70-80%)..apart from the rare predetermined ones..over before you have a chance to say 'What the f....!'

Let's just hope FD hold their nerve on this..because let's face it, you are fighting for your life, it shouldn't be at all easy..& we'll all be better pilots for it!

Forget all you know, stop the 'Wah-wah' & re-evaluate your place in the food chain..this is year zero! hehehe

 

[CMDR_Vyse]

This new AI ROCKS! They fight like PILOTS now and not players!

I'm loving it! They appear to be adaptive and do maneuvers.

Still some bugs to iron out though FD.

Like dialing their difficulty back a bit.

 

[CaptainKremmen]

I am posting this here to show people what a starting player-in a stock Sidewinder-is likely to face in their first few days in the game. Notice two key things:

1) your opponents are rarely-if ever-going to be above novice.

2) You're almost always going to be limited to Medium-High security systems.....meaning you can always count on a rapid security response.....especially if you turn on "Report Crimes against me".

Enjoy.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88ZH9rbdHKI&feature=youtu.be

Yes, that was my experience in the beta, too, after a full clear-save.

I even took on an "Assassinate the Pirate Lord" in my Sidey, and found he wasn't exactly a heavy hitter! Mostly Harmless rank, if memory serves!

 

[Duane Dibbley]

Yes, that was my experience in the beta, too, after a full clear-save.

I even took on an "Assassinate the Pirate Lord" in my Sidey, and found he wasn't exactly a heavy hitter! Mostly Harmless rank, if memory serves!

I hope, for his own sake, the Pirate Lord didn't make you angry..by, I don't know, saying something like 'poo' to a space captain! I know you really hate that!

 

[Krait_79]

Like dialing their difficulty back a bit.

Thats all well and good but why should good players, or players who want a challenge have to see their enjoyment suffer for the sake of those who don't?

I always thought gaming in large part was about improving, getting better etc. Now it seems that has to play second fiddle to the instant gratification/everyone has to be a winner crowd!

 

[Cmnd Fulsom]

Just like the 'ooh it's tooooo hard' interdiction mini-game fuss..in time people get used to it & adapt - that storm has blown itself out!..don't want to appear smug, but i'm pretty much at 100% success now when I concentrate (even against players attempting to interdict me, my escape rate is at 70-80%)..apart from the rare predetermined ones..over before you have a chance to say 'What the f....!'

Let's just hope FD hold their nerve on this..because let's face it, you are fighting for your life, it shouldn't be at all easy..& we'll all be better pilots for it!

Forget all you know, stop the 'Wah-wah' & re-evaluate your place in the food chain..this is year zero! hehehe

That is all well and good, but one of my deaths today was literally me almost escaping interdiction, and then the game saying, no      you, interdiction failed... God dammned FAS.

 

[rasputinman]

Crazy , crazy update.

Was killed the first time last night in a while.

was doing a smuggling run in a kitted out ASP , with max FSD , admittedly weak shields.

before the update i was at least able to run from my attackers , now seems almost
impossible.

the enemy was a dangerous python ship. I had a bounty on my head from a different system.

now I dont expect to defeat or even compete with a python with and ASP ( nor would i even try)
but I expect to be able to run a little .

its quite clear the asp has a higher jump range than the python , so here i was in deep space
after 3-4 jumps doing a long range smuggling mission ,
1) firstly the python was able to find me....

2) then the python knew that i was wanted ( without scanning me in a lawless area)

3) also knew i was carrying goods

4) didnt really have a chance to fight back , shields were gone very quickly


The mission system , missions dont spawn as often , they are virtually the same system wide.

This i can work around as I do play other games , and i can wait for the missions to appear
nice of frontier to be thoughtful and realise gamers play other games in the meantime.

Ive been an alpha backer right from the start ,
( im quite glad of this , as I dont think I would pay the yearly updates)

might stop playing for a bit , to see what happens..

my son also has this game, he hasnt updated to horizons yet , probably best that he doesnt waste his money
as i dont think he would compete so easily and lose a lot of his money via his higher insurance.

I wonder if you can get a standalone version of the game when the servers are taken down when
the majority lose interest.

 

[Nagata's Reaper]

I'm incredibly sick of seeing people say "learn." Most people are not having issues with the AI that don't have God weapons. Like someone mentioned in another threat... Just because *you* haven't been bitten by the shark yet, doesn't mean they aren't out there. You just haven't met OP invincible God AI yet. I have. 40% of the community has.

That's totally right, I fought in the Haz Rez earning 5Million odd, killing deadly this and dangerous that then suddenly 1 Gunship came along and in 5 seconds from full shields with 4pips to systems I was at the rebuy screen of this build:

https://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_...404p05s5s112d2d2d2b2b29.Iw18WAMUUA==.Aw18Z5A=

Now I don't normally become salty but that Gunship destroyed me so fast that I was instantly reminded of how the Coriolus Stations weapons take down down a "Maxed out" Corvette

Or even a full wing of Imperial Hammer wielding FDL's perfectly timed assault, but that's another story.

 

[woodhouse]

Just like the 'ooh it's tooooo hard' interdiction mini-game fuss..in time people get used to it & adapt - that storm has blown itself out!..

Not true, people just got tired and gave up, but interdiction is still badly broken. There is no sensible relationship between skill and result, the escape vector sometimes moves randomly or moves so quickly that it is physically impossible to keep up. I guess FD also gave up coming up with a reasonable implementation of the minigame.