Red Alert Remastered Skirmish AI bug

[Tarc Novar]

I am experiencing an issue when starting new skirmish games with AI. The match starts as expected, but soon I realize nothing is happening. I build my base as I normally do, but the AI never attacks. When I finally make my way to the AI base, all I see are two small powerplants, with nothing else. No refinery, no barracks, no war factory, nothing. Since it has not built anything, there is nothing to fight. I have only begun experiencing the issue this month since getting an RTX 3060 just before Christmas last month. I am uncertain what the cause is, nor am I finding any good results in my search attempts.

Does anyone have any information on this so I can focus my troubleshooting better? I am at a loss.

[UnBlessed]

Well, if you start with lowest cash (2500) , AI will stuck, unless AI is Soviet.

AI's building order is power plant (300)->power plant (300)->ore refinery (2000)
So AI will stuck when building ore refinery (300+300+2000=2600).

But that's good way if you want to test something, like test unit or other things.

If you want AI build base with lowest money, attack AI's power plant, when AI sell it, AI can finish ore refinery, then wait for few mins and AI will start attack.

If start with 10000, Hard AI's attack will come after 3 mins, but if you attack AI's base first, AI will attack earlier.

[Tarc Novar]

Originally posted by UnBlessed:

Well, if you start with lowest cash (2500) , AI will stuck, unless AI is Soviet.

But that's good way if you want to test something, like test unit or other things.

If you want AI build base with lowest money, attack AI's power plant, when AI sell it, AI can finish ore refinery, then wait for few mins and AI will start attack.

If start with 10000, Hard AI's attack will come after 3 mins, but if you attack AI's base first, AI will attack earlier.

That makes sense. Thanks.

[Nyerguds]

Ah yea... the AI is too dumb to foresee that if it only has 2500 credits and it starts by building two power plants, it no longer has enough money for a refinery. So start with at least 3000, I guess.

[UnBlessed]

Well, another way is change AI's building order in custom map, this also can make AI stronger, but this will only work in custom map.
Another way is use mods to improve AI's strength.

Or start skirmish map with all random.

[Cat]

If you did consciously set the starting money to $2500, wouldn't it be obvious that they ran out of money when you saw 2 power plants and no refinery?

[UnBlessed]

AI will stuck, unless AI is Soviet (10% cost off), so it becomes 270+270+1800=2340.

Another thing is low start money is 2000, but when skirmish start, it will be 2500.

[Tarc Novar]

Originally posted by Cat:

If you did consciously set the starting money to $2500, wouldn't it be obvious that they ran out of money when you saw 2 power plants and no refinery?

If it helps any, it is not as obvious as I would like, because I have never encountered anything like that before. I have played many games where I altered the starting credits, including the original Red Alert (starting in 1997, no less), which never caused an issue. Many RTS games through the years never did this to me, so the issue stumped me when it happened.

[Nyerguds]

Originally posted by UnBlessed:

Well, another way is change AI's building order in custom map

Um. How? RA1's rules stuff is pretty limited, and does not include these kinds of AI controls. Maybe in TS or RA2 this works, but not in RA1...

[UnBlessed]

I have no idea, I know some map AI will build Radar dome in original version (aftermath AI will build radar dome even not got attacked by air craft.), then I noticed that's because there is natural enemy NPC with air craft.

Like this one, if my memory correct, there is a base in map center, and that base has Heli.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2171922930

AI-Boost mod's AI building order has changed, so AI will build power plant->barrack
This means early rush will be very difficult.

If I start learning how to create map, maybe I'll try to figure out how to change AI's building order, but so far I feel mess since no matter what I upload, people keep giving dislike, so I'm hard to try different things and upload videos now.

[Nyerguds]

The entire base on that map is simply prebuilt. That has nothing to do with the AI at all

[UnBlessed]

If can find way to improve AI, also don't change too much things, maybe this will be nice.
Like AI knows how to build all building, using chrono tank, M.A.D. tank and use all superweapon.
So far I know AI knows how to use Iron Curtain, Chronosphere is AI-Boost mod, but this mod with too many AI will crash very easy, same to Veterancy mod.

Another thing is if there is any mod can choose Allies, Soviet, NOD and GDI will be nice I guess.

so far I play 8-Bit Armies more, trying to 2 vs 3, 1 vs 2 still very hard to me.