The only thing we can hopeful AI wise, is that they un hardcode the AI for us Modders. That is something we possibly given that each patch they gave us modders a bit more to work with.

Hate to say it, but having a non-cheating AI is not going to pay off anytime soon. There is no AI in the world that can actually learn and grow. That means that no matter how complex they make an AI, it runs into one of two problems. 1) It's complex, but not impossible to figure out with enough time, or 2) it's too big a chunk of programming for reason.

I feel the exact same way--which is why I only play Sins in online multiplayer against real human opponents.  In fact, I can't stand to play it against the AI at all.  Playing against real opponents will force you to dig deeper into the strategic elements of the game.  You'll also discover that the games are more intense, more suspenseful (you might actually lose), and much more meaningful than playing against the AI.  You'll also learn that hard-fought wins are much more satisfying than comp stomps.  Online multiplayer also adds the element of team play and team-based strategy.

I hope you'll come check it out.  Just click the <Ironclad Online> button and create an account and an <Add User> player name.  New players are still logging on for the first time, so you won't be the only new player around.  (However, you'll have better luck finding newer players on vanilla Sins.)

Do note that it does not take forever to play Sins online, which is a common misconception.  For example, when you play a 5v5 you only really have to knock out one opponent because you can reasonably expect your other four allies to contribute to knocking out the other four opponents.  Also, once the outcome has been decided, players on the losing team call it "gg" (good game) and then quit or surrender so that a new game can be started and the winners don't have to go through the boring motions of mopping up.  Most games only take about 1:15-1:45 but epic games can last longer.

Come check it out!  It's lots of fun.

Vicious is beatable, its all about a controlled strategy that involves fighting at strong points with starbases, defenses, and pjis with a largely strikecraft based fleet to minimize your losses while maximizing theirs.  A typical rush expansion is suicidal in games with vicious AI, but rather a slow, but steady pace that allows you to set up defenses (if need be), and strengthen crucial chokepoints.  While the AI may cheat to build more, and stronger units, do not forget that they love fighting starbases, even at the cost of their fleet.  When you have multiple capital ships guzzling down the experience of the ships that the AI wastes, you are in a strong position to make devastating counter attacks at your leisure, whether it be with multiple Missle Barrages as TEC, or multiple level 3 scramble bombers as Vasari.  The only race i would suggest not playing as during a fight against the vicious AI is advent.

I've seen the AI use ultimates at hard in Original Sins.  Particularly armistice and instant build fighters.

They pretty much have to let the AI's cheat at high difficulties.  The Sins AI is pretty decent, but it becomes predictable as you get used to it, and there isn't much of a way around that.  Good players use tricks, traps, and chokepoints.  Eventually the only way to make the AI harder is to just give it huge advantages.

Well this post isnt about how hard the AI is or that it really cheats. I know it cheats. But while playing I noticed their ability to get HC very quickly, well it sparked my curiosity.

Its well know that the AI gets bonus to resources and income, I dont think anyone knew if they got a bonus to research time. Was the whole point of this thread to let those who do play against the AI. Hey, they get the big toy alot faster than you can.

I was also wondering if this research time was intended by the devs or an unseen blunder that's worked out.

I vote intended.

intended

intended but should not be....

The AI should be more tactical, not just higher level.

Well, everyone wants a better AI. Again, I rather the AI learn than just cheat. But game limitation are game limitations.The only really glaring issue with the AI IMHO, is how they handle SB's and other defensive structures. Oh and their placement of said defensive stuff.

BTW, I think they also get a reduced building time. Though Ive not yet been able to prove it.

I don't know about you guys, but i HAVE actually lost to the AI. It actually seemed kinda smart in my last game. I was playing unfair, 4v4, and when the pirates raided one of my volcanic planets, a massive advent AI fleet also raided my other Volcanic Planet(which also served as a main shipbuilding hub) , as if it knew i had moved my fleet to the less important planet to deal with the pirates.

When my defenses were overrun, when i pulled what i had left back to my next line of planets, they actually chased me as if they knew that they would have the numerical advantage over my fleeing fleet. So just 2 things i have noticed the AI doing i hadn't expected.

When does the diplomacy AI begin to cheat? At the beginnings of SOASE it was on hard I think. But yesterday I started a game on hard and quitted it after one minute. In the chart at the end it says that the AI had the same gold income as I had. So it is not cheating on hard anymore but is simply smarter than on normal?

Hard is the start of cheating

And how does it cheat? Like I said the gold income seems to be the same as mine.