Some of these have been listed before, but here's some input on ways to improve the AI and make things more fun overall.
- Cowardice needs to be adjusted, as I'm sure has already done. If a fleet is massive compared to theirs, I don't blame them for running. However, when a fleet is just a bit larger, there's no sense in running, really. This goes for defenses too. I think the AI dramatically overestimates the power of defenses, as I've had a fleet of siege frigates flee when encountering three Gauss turrets.
- AI fleets need to / should engage in neutral territory. I've had many instances where a defensive fleet is deployed around a wormhole or plasma storm, an enemy fleet jumps in. They simply drift to the other side of the gravity well to jump to the neighboring planet, taking fire all the way, maybe shooting me once or twice. Then they jump out, and I follow, and end up behind them at my planet.
- AI should actually USE scouts. Send them to planets they're going to attack, so instead of jumping in and then doing a 180 to jump out when they see my fleet, like they do ALL THE TIME, they'll just jump somewhere else. Or at least use old scouting data to plan attacks as well.
- For unlocked teams, they seriously need to hate each other more. Do they actually give each other missions, or just dole out happy points? I've only ever had a couple allies, whereas the AI has 3 or more easily.
- AI fleet diversity is stupid. Seriously, the most diverse fleet I've seen the AI make is 25 siege frigates, two capital ships, and 30 assault frigates. Okay maybe they throw a flak frigate in there, maybe.
- More aggressive expansionism. Even with hard AIs, I seem to own half the galaxy before any serious conflicts arise, and they have like 4 planets each.
- More intelligent focus-firing. I've had hordes of assault and flak frigates dumping firepower into my capital ship, while the rest of my fleet just blows them up one by one. The LRMs seem to prioritize frigates over the capital ship, but the AI REALLY needs to say "Could I destroy this target in a timely fashion? *math math math* No, I cannot, but I can probably destroy at least ten of these other ships."
- Stop going after my colony ships. I understand why they're a high-priority, but you can easily make an exploit out of this. Jump a colony ship in, the AI will completely disengage your fleet and scramble to punch it a few times. Jump it out when they get close, and now you've done a ton of damage to them, but you're also at their 6, putting you at a tremendous advantage.
- Needs to build more shit! Even with hard AIs, I always have the top economy. When I start knocking them out, I realize that they very rarely have trade centers or refineries. I also see the black market prices, and even after about 30 minutes, the price of metal hits 1500 credits and STAYS there, meaning they keep buying it up. It clearly isn't doing them any good. Crystal *ALWAYS* sits at rock-bottom, and yet crystal is what I value the most! They really need to 'play the market' more, as it were.
- AI research is misprioritized. I've 'taken them over' midgame with a reload and checked them out - they generally always rush civilian techs, even ones they almost never use, or can only make minor use OF. They also rush fleet capacity techs, even if they don't have the means to support a large one. However they typically neglect military branch completely. Having a fleet with just upgraded level 1 shields and armor will let you mash AIs like noone's business.
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Fleet AI:
- Seriously, seriously need to loosen up the 'fleet formation'. I'm really tired of all my ships falling back into formation around my capital ship as it pounds the planet, instead of roaming around and destroying everything left.
- Furthermore, I don't put ships into a fleet to make them look nice when they're parked. Even on loose, my ships CONSTANTLY just chase around the capital ship instead of tracking their own targets. It would be NICE for them to form 'subfleets' on their own and engage at will. LRMs for example, when jumping in, would automatically target defenses.
- HOWEVER, it makes NO sense for flak frigates, carriers, and support ships to be running off into battle. Okay, carriers don't do it too often, but the others do on occasion instead of tending to the fleet as a whole. Flaks especially. They must really enjoy being exploded by capital ships.
