AI build privateers?

Jezz · January 11, 2002, 15:07

Has anyone seen the AI build privateers? I love them, especially since I usually go for naval techs first (i just like boats

). But while i've got literally a floating army of privateers running around, i've yet to see the AI build one.. let alone attack one of my galleons with one.... ?

ajbera · January 11, 2002, 15:45

In a game from last night, my empire abutted the Americans. We were on relatively peaceful terms, neutral-positive with soem decent trade; I gained one of the American cities via cultural acquisition, and the American's attitude towards me declined. They shortly afterward signed a MPP with Japan, who chose to declare war a few turns later. As I was prepping for conflict, a couple of privateers came from the direction of American territory and proceeded to bombard my roads and mines (I'm playing with modified units), until I built some ironclads and sank the pirates. I only suspect it was the Americans, though evidence suggests I'm correct; regardless, the AI does build and use them, in my experience.

May I also take time to recommend Moraelin's exponential mod; coupled with increased hit points (doubled to 4/6/8/10), combat results are now much more realistic.

The Eliminator · January 11, 2002, 19:18

I'm like you Jezz, I love naval technologies too! Unfortunately the AI does not use Privateers. I don't know why, but I wish they did!

Sarxis · January 12, 2002, 04:57

Quote:

Originally posted by The Eliminator
...Unfortunately the AI does not use Privateers. I don't know why, but I wish they did!

But didn't ajbera just say...?

Ah, nevermind.

Grrr · January 12, 2002, 15:08

What about the one floating around Paris, sinking all my galleons with my armies!

Kevin Ar18 · January 12, 2002, 16:48

In one of my games the AI used a whole lot of privateers, ironclads, and other naval vessels. Later, they went to destroyers, submarines, battleships and carriers. If I still had the save game I'd send it to you, but I don't.
Also, the AI used an interesting strategy for once. They always and I mean ALWAYS had an attack vessel with a vessel that carries units.

For example, they had privateers with a galleon or galley.
In the modern era they used destroyers with transports and battleships with carriers. Also they had submarines roaming around and attacking my battleships.

Kevin Ar18 · January 22, 2002, 17:53

It seems I was wrong. The AI wasn't using privateers, they were using the other attack vessel. Can't remember what it's called.

MonsterMan · January 22, 2002, 18:27

I've never seen the AI build privateers either, which is especially odd on my current huge archipelago map where a strong navy is essential for any AI war.

steelehc · January 22, 2002, 21:17

Quote:

It seems I was wrong. The AI wasn't using privateers, they were using the other attack vessel. Can't remember what it's called.

Frigates?

Quote:

I've never seen the AI build privateers either, which is especially odd on my current huge archipelago map where a strong navy is essential for any AI war.

I have, I think. Unless they were barbarians.... (I modded my game so Barbs get riflemen, cavalry, and privateers in the modern era) Oh well.

Does anyone else think that there should be an upgrade for the frigate... like a "Ship-Of-The-Line" or some such thing? The English weren't the only ones with "Men-O-War."

Steele

Kevin Ar18 · January 22, 2002, 23:04

Yeah, Frigates.... that's it. The AI used frigates... and later ironclads... and later submarines, destroyers and battleships.

Like I said, I did have a game where 1 of the AI civs had a strong navy using the above mentioned techniques. However, their ships rarely attacked my ships even during time of war. It seems they were too busy protecting their transports. Later in the game they did bombard my shore though.

Kc7mxo · January 23, 2002, 01:06

Hah. The AI in this game is far too intelligent to use those worthless privateers.

steelehc · January 23, 2002, 02:01

Privateers can be very useful. And fun. Especially if you mod the game to make them better, and capable of bombardment. Its especially fun to blockade an island, while at the same time pacificating them; ie giving them money, maps, tech, or luxuries. It isn't your fault if "those other guys" are blockading them, is it?

Steele

pauli · January 23, 2002, 02:33

i think in ajbera's example, giving privateers the ability to bombard explains why the ai built them.

has anybody seen the ai build UNMODIFIED privateers?

Skanky Burns · January 23, 2002, 04:30

Quote:

has anybody seen the ai build UNMODIFIED privateers?

No - which is a good reflection on the AI, and a bad reflection on unit balancing.

Encomium · January 23, 2002, 05:35

Quote:

Originally posted by The Eliminator
I'm like you Jezz, I love naval technologies too! Unfortunately the AI does not use Privateers. I don't know why, but I wish they did!

The AI never uses them. I guess the AI realizes at the game's values they are not worth the cost.

I increased all naval units' values, including privateers. But still they are of limited use.

NOTE: In reality, submarines and privateers are designed to attack TRADE ROUTES and merchant shipping - NOT WARSHIPS. But Civ III is so poor at reflecting the real uses of navies, dozens of privateers on an enemy's trade route does NOT damage their commerce. This is dead wrong.

Also in the real world, warships did not muck around bombarding improvements; wooden ships certainly did not. I eliminated all bombardment capabilities from warships (except battleships).

The JIG is up · January 23, 2002, 05:57

Yes Ive seen the AI with Privateers...not often and usually pretty useless, but it happens...and I play CivIII without Mods of any kind.

s3d · January 23, 2002, 06:05

In my mod I have privateers with bombardment and "land privateers" (hidden nat units). AI use all, but not in every game.

Arrian · October 4, 2002, 13:59

Cool, I get to revive an old thread.

I just wanted to mention that I finally was attacked by an AI privateer. Last night, unable to get AU106 to work (corrupted file, apparently), I created my own psuedo-AU106. My galleon - carrying 4 elite cavalry in the general direction of Zululand - was hit by what I believe to be a Persian privateer. Luckily for me, my galleon won.

I am pleased with this development. I actually considered building an escort or two for my galleons (but decided against it, since I saw no more privateers in the next several turns). This may actually turn out to be dumb, as my galleon fleet is crucial to my plans.

I almost never build frigates or ironclads in CivIII. I just wait for destroyers, and if I really want to play with naval combat in the meantime, I build some privateers.

This is emperor level, and the Persians are the strongest AI civ. I think it was them because I was near their coast and there are two other Persian ships in the immediate vicinity.

Has anyone experienced the AI using privateers in numbers? If so, any guesses as to what conditions bring this about?

-Arrian

p.s. for fun, check out the delightful post from the poster-now-known-as-Coracle.

Inverse Icarus · October 4, 2002, 14:09

Quote:

Originally posted by Kc7mxo
Hah. The AI in this game is far too intelligent to use those worthless privateers.

ding ding ding, we have a winner!

maybe they'll be useful in MP

alva · October 4, 2002, 15:12

on a (related?) side note, in my current game, I decided to not build any arty of any kind. So far I have not seen any from the Ai either. He never builds many, but not one.
Could it be that the Ai adapts to the human ? I.E. copies him.
Try building alot of privateers and see what happens. Maybe the Ai will build some too

alva · October 4, 2002, 15:14

Quote:

arrianp.s. for fun, check out the delightful post from the poster-now-known-as-Coracle.

was thinking the same thing

Arrian · October 4, 2002, 16:11

alva,

Interesting theory, and one that I've considered. I have built exactly 1 privateer in the game I mentioned.

Then again, I remember an old game I played on the regular world map in which I built large numbers of privateers, and the AI did not. They did, however, build frigates and send them to kill my privateers (this was back when the AI would hunt your privateers like barbs... straight for 'em from halfway 'round the world).

-Arrian

planetfall · October 4, 2002, 18:20

Unedited privateers--
AI builds almost none. Let AI get ironclads or higher and it goes on search and destroy missions for privateers.

Edited privateers--
Cut cost in 1/2, make power one less than frigate, increase movement range by 1 and voila, lots of privateers.

I used to build them at warrior or settler levels, on Regent can't afford to waste gold for them. There is always something else more valuable.

AI builds what is most valuable. I could not figure out why they were wasting gold on marines with their weak defense. Then I noticed they have 2 more offense than infantry.

--PF

HazieDaVampire · October 4, 2002, 19:54

abjera plays with moded units, in defualt, the AIs think privateers are a waste of time, but his moded ones mite be better!