Poll: Which AI modifiers/plots do you use?

[Lancefighter]

Thats an interesting way to look at it.

would like to pose a counterargument - Its really fun to lose a game against a double wave of zelecbombers at 5 minutes.

Also, I tend to think that monowaves are boring. Like.. Why is the AI sending 2 thousand acid sprayers at me, when I dont have ANY units they are good against?

[keith.lamothe]

Also, I tend to think that monowaves are boring. Like.. Why is the AI sending 2 thousand acid sprayers at me, when I dont have ANY units they are good against?

On the other hand, when schizo meant 100% schizo waves  there was actually less variety to the defensive game because there was basically exactly 1 wave composition per AI player, only changing when they got new bonus picks.  With non-schizo waves there's a much broader variety when comparing wave to wave, rather than ships within a wave.

But yea, a mono wave has a wider range of danger, too.  Some mono waves (hello, fighters) have a really hard time against serious defenses (hello, forcefields), and others (he-AHH-it's-six-billion-bombers-run-away-quick) do much better against them.

That's still not maximum challenge (it could try a mostly-bomber wave but mixing in a few munitions boosters, shield bearers, etc if it has them), of course.

[Lancefighter]

I mean in the sense of 'each wave is similar', yes, schizo waves will end up looking similar. But I would much rather that than the AI arbitrarily deciding to send thousands of bombers at me *shrug*

I hesitate to think of what a mad bomber + support corps would end up with..

On the other hand - A schizo wave can still end up being VERY mono; I definitely encountered a few very mono waves in my last game..

[Cinth]

On the other hand - A schizo wave can still end up being VERY mono; I definitely encountered a few very mono waves in my last game..

Doesn't it say in the Schizo description that it does on occasion send mono waves?

[Lancefighter]

WHy yes, it actually does. Huzzah. Schizo clearly superior choice.

[Hearteater]

Except that all the non-mono waves are easier, so the overall experience is easier.

[Cinth]

Think the reasoning was that sometimes an all bomber wave is just dangerous

[Coppermantis]

Schizo waves are sometimes harder because the AI will have something to deal with everything you defend with, although not necessarily a sufficient number. However, a mono wave of a dangerous type is very tough to deal with. Thousands of bombers will make short work of basically any static defense you can put down.

[Winge]

I always run Reveal Random AI Types just because I haven't even beaten half of the AI types--I'd like to know what they are so I can guess at them later.  I like the variety of Schizo waves, so I usually enable them.  If I was doing a 'no handicap' type of game, I would disable them.  I occasionally run Astro Trains, Avengers, Hybrids, or Beachheads.  I really haven't tried a lot of these options; I like the game as it is.

[zoutzakje]

bombers in mono waves aren't that dangerous. This may sound strange, but a big wave of missile frigs is actually a lot more dangerous than a big wave of bombers. I discovered that in my 9/9 crosshatch game. It's their massive range, they can start eating your turrets a lot faster than those bombers can. I remember a wave of about 1500 mk II-III missile frigs and my full caps of mk I, II, III HBC's and lightning turrets (combined with gravs and tractors) had some serious trouble with it.

I do agree with Wanderer. I haven't played Schizo on 9/9 so I can't judge how big the difference is, but in 7/7 games schizo waves are usually a lot easier to defend against.

[pheonix89]

Always have reveal random on, basically I turned it on once and never turned it off. Usually have auto Ai progress on, if I dont it's because I have spire civilian leaders on. Will never use nuke command or beachheads, probably will never run advanced hybrids until they get more tricks, have no issues with regulars though.

[relmz32]

I run with reveal random Ai types up, because if i am running randoms, I want to know what the AI rolled. I play with pretty slow AIP increases, 1-3/ 60-90 minutes nowadays leaning more towards quicker, since i pause a lot.
I have played around with the waves using all of those options (schizo, none, half, double, cpw), but general leave them alone nowadays. I Also used beachheads twice, but i don't really like the change from 'defenses can hold by themselves' to 'Uhh, everything on the planet just shut down'.

bombers in mono waves aren't that dangerous.

"Come back, you fools! Dogs aren't dangerous! Come back and fight!"-Woundwort, Watership Down, Last Words

[Kahuna]

Schizo Waves - straight up cheesing the AI.  I can't recall the last 10/10 that wasn't beaten using this option.

Not cheesing. Not harder than non schizo.

[Hearteater]

This may sound strange, but a big wave of missile frigs is actually a lot more dangerous than a big wave of bombers.

Yeah, Missile Frigates are a surprisingly brutal ship type for waves.  And it isn't just the range, but the AOE immunity hurts too.  I really like where Bombers and Missile Fragtes are for waves though.  I think Fighters might be a touch weak.  I can't recall if they got a wave multiplier boost recently, or it was just suggested they get one.  If not, it would be nice if they got a small bump so all the triangle ships are meaningful waves.

Schizo Waves - straight up cheesing the AI.  I can't recall the last 10/10 that wasn't beaten using this option.

Not cheesing. Not harder than non schizo.

Yes they are.  In fact, it is just barely unarguable they are weaker.  About the only case Schizo isn't weaker is when the AI has booster bonus ships (mainly Munitions) or something like Shield Bearers.  Even then, a mono wave with a sprinkle of those would be more deadly.

[keith.lamothe]

I think Fighters might be a touch weak.  I can't recall if they got a wave multiplier boost recently, or it was just suggested they get one.  If not, it would be nice if they got a small bump so all the triangle ships are meaningful waves.

They've had a 1.2 count-in-waves multiplier for a long time.  May not be enough.