matthewhively
commented
4 years ago A good idea to side-step the zuul research efficency:
- Give a separate research chance for Zuul only parallel to the ones used by other races.
- I can then scale the RP cost down so that zuul's effective research rate is higher.
This can also be used to help salvage tech. I can make an "Even CHEAPER" parallel research path, with only a 1% chance to unlock. And give it a "fixed" research cost (eg much much cheaper than normal) If they get it via salvage, then in some reasonable number of turns, its theirs. And maybe they'll get lucky, and get to normally research a tech super fast.... its not terribly unfair given their normally LOW research chance for everything.
Zuul AI always seem fairly weak, and seem to get trapped into their local cluster easily.
Is it that they are too dependent on slaves for income? The AI just starves for resources?
Does the AI even get special project's from salvage?
Hopefully the increase in DE node-bore will help.... but it hasn't seemed to had much effect in my first game with Cara.
I think that zuul research efficiency should be increased. Maybe not to Liir/Morrigi levels but they shouldn't be the WORST. Their main drawback should be low research chances, but lore wise they are very cunning and quick learners. So their limitation should be with "creativity" and not by ability to achieve a technology in a reasonable timeframe. This would also help tremendously with their ability to salvage technology. (This does not appear to be moddable.... might have to hack the EXE or alter save games to accomplish that)