State of Exploits

[zolobolo]

I fully agree but there is a problem: I don't think the existing models can really accomodate the broadside gun concept

Even if it would be decided that Yoral only have forward firing and turret like mounts due to their stlye being the most hostile against the concept:
1. Small ships all clearly have forward firing or turrer like mounts across all factions (this might still slide as they are small maneuverable vessels so it fits)
2. Turn rate of large vessels (think of super dread) would make this a pain to manage - battles would take several times longer especially invasions
3. Some large ships have their mounts grouped per side - meaning that one side us practically useless in battle. These groups would need to be broken up and mounts regrouped
4. All other medium sized vessels are also deisgns with forward firing archs in mind (Ashdar, Gremak, Orthin and Tinker) - the only deisgn I can think of that fits nicely into the concet is the Human Ligh Cruiser and some Phidi designs
5. Current ships behaviour does not accomodate the breaking up of formations (they are moving too tightly together for that).


Altogehter broadside would be needed to make directional shields truly meaningfull but it is unlikely that would make sense being implemented at this stage (the effort and potential risks seem too high for the gain)

[Danath]

6. Writing the AI code itself would probably be a bigger problem than points 1-5 together AI still doesn't use small aircraft as PD or against bombers.

[username]

The AI also seems to have a cowardice problem. I've noticed a tendency for him to repeatedly attack me with forces far greater than mine...only to then run away on his first turn, possibly taking losses in the process because as the defender, I get to fire first. It looks like the AI might be attempt to pull off a shoot-and-scoot where he fires all his missiles and then runs away, but a few points are missing:

1. Combat immediately ends when no enemy ships are present, so when he runs away, his missiles will never impact.

2. Often he does it without being in possession of any missiles or fighters, so the "shoot" part is now entirely missing, and he just runs away from his own attack without firing a shot.

Why does he attack if he has so little confidence in his overwhelming numbers that he will run away immediately on the opening round? And when are we going to be able to build an Interdictor Cruiser to stop this behavior?