AI Strength Questions

[SenorPez]

A couple of quick questions that I have. I'm getting back into AI War, and wanting to know if these are difficulty-related changes, or bugs... needless to say, I've had a few nasty surprises.

• AI Waves: Even though the AI is at tech level I, I'm seeing tech II ships coming in waves. The notification even says I, and yet, when they arrive, it's a mix of I and II ships. Is this normal behavior to account for how "far along towards II" the AIP is?
• Homeworld defense exos: I really like this, with the 30 minute ticking clock instead of the mini-exos each time you blow up a Core Guard Post. But are they supposed to increase in difficulty as time goes on? Because I was doing fine, and then, suddenly, Golems and Dire Guardians ended humanity.

[SenorPez]

Also, have the lobby setup scripts ever been updated? Does anyone have a few good starting scripts that are challenging-but-winnable, maybe that showcase some of the new features?

[tadrinth]

Yep, the higher the AIP, the more of the wave will be MkII instead of MkI, until the AI hits Tech Level II and the waves are 100% MkII, then it'll start mixing in MkIII ships. This was added a while back to smooth the transition between tech levels; in theory it makes the game harder, but in practice you get a much better feel for how your defenses are doing, and aren't blindsided by a sudden jump to higher mark waves.    Looks like this was added waaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 5.036, and we're on 7.043 now. 

The new HW defense exos are pretty new (about a month old).  As I understand it, they're supposed to get harder, but they stop if you kill that AI Home Command Station (this will cancel the currently-charging exo).  Once you start a homeworld assault, you either need to finish it or it will finish you.