AI for Faction leaders.

[t78]

I was thinking about the Ai, and wondered if it would be useful to draw up a picture of what each imperial leader (and others, when they are in charge of their respective factions or prominant) would be like as regards playstyle.

NOTE: You probably can't modify the Ai according to leader, and you might not even want to.... but I thought I'd have a little fool around with some ideas.

Also note: When I say "favours ISDs" or "favours small craft", it means that they make use of one more than another- but they would not abandon other unit types completely. By way of example, Isaard might build 2 lancers and a strike cruiser for a fleet of mostly ISDs and VSDs. Thrawn might build 5 lancers, and have a good number of strike cruisers to complement a smaller force of ISDs and VSDs.

Anyways, here goes:

Pestage: politiker. Slow to build up forces and attack. Somewhat defensive, in a haphazard manner. Favours ISDs above all else.

Isaard: focuses on strategy, but leaves military manouvres to commanders. Somewhat defensive, in a haphazard manner. Attacks weak systems when possible, only taking strong systems when necessary. Favours ISDs and VSDs above all else. Some smaller units used occasionally.

Thrawn: flying columns. penetrates deep into enemy territory, then vacates ground. Hits weak space garrisons where possible, then a strong thrust inwards with a large force. Ground attacks somewhat later. More aggressive than defensive. A good mix of ISDs and smaller craft when necessary. Reacts quickly.

Palpatine: (NB: Shadow Hand featured a single thrust coreward, mimicking Thrawn- might be represented by a era 2 IR/ AI after Thrawn is killed.) Favours slow advances. Possibly grinding sieges and battles of attrition. Space attacks followed up immediately with ground attacks. Favours SSDs and battlecruisers. Smaller craft used less than thrawn, but more than Isaard.

Jax: Mostly defensive. Slow advances when possible. Favours ISDs.

Daala: Like Thrawn, only focussing entirely on weak systems until forced to. Concentrates fleets to an extreme degree, and has fleets entirely made up of only a few ship types.  The most aggressive IR leader. ISDs, VSDs, and SSDs.

Pelleaon: Defensive, but the occasional swift advance. Favours ISDs, and any craft below it. Will build Strike Cruisers, Ton Falks, and Lancers in great number. Reacts quickly.

The NR:

Ackbar: Balanced between aggression and defence.

Bel Iblis: Aggressive. Favours MC80s and ships below that.

Han Solo: Very mobile. Attacks and retreats from systems until resistance is worn down. Ground attacks on multiple blockaded systems then occur. Rarely defensive. Reacts quickly. Likes small fast craft but has a number of heavy hitters like MC80s.

Warlords:

Zsinj: Very mobile. Attacks and retreats from systems until resistance is worn down. Ground attacks on multiple blockaded systems then occur. Rarely defensive.

Teradoc: The most aggressive Warlord leader. Sends large fleets at most heavily defended spots. Favours VSDs and Procursators.

Kaine: Defensive. Reacts quickly to attacks, but slow to advance. Good mix of unit types.

Delvadus: Not sure... Looks like a mix of aggressiveness and defensiveness. Likes SSDs (Knight Hammer costing all his credits, etc), but otherwise makes use of his roster reasonably effectively.

Of course, stuff like Kaine's caution is already in, but just some thoughts.