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my 2017 predictions are not coming true

Last February, I made a few predictions about skills that bots would gain in 2017.

In 2017 I predict multiple bots with new skills of taking island expansions and carrying out doom drops. For Steamhammer I also plan deeper map analysis so it can do things like backdoor attacks when the map allows it. The tactics and strategy in bot play will grow more complex, and everybody will be scrambling to keep up.

Well, the vague forecast that tactics and strategy will improve came true. None of the specific skills has been implemented, as far as I have seen: No island expansions, no doom drops, no backdoor attacks. Steamhammer progress is behind my expectation (what else is new?); I am still planning the map analysis, but it won’t happen this year.

There’s still time. Help make my predictions come true!

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krasi0 on :

Well, the reality is that once all of the low hanging fruit has been picked, each new layer of tactics or strategy becomes exponentially harder to implement and often more computationally expensive. Let's see what the FB team and any other big players come up with by the end of the year.

Jay Scott on :

Hint to everybody else: Doom drop might be a way to beat Krasi0. Krasi0 likes a powerful but slow-moving mech army. Drop when the army moves out and bring some doom.

krasi0 on :

Yup! Someone should finally do this to my bot! :P

MicroDK on :

What is a Doom Drop? I do not remember zerg has that unit. ;)

Jay Scott on :

Most drops are for harassment. A doom drop is a major attack trying to destroy a base or end the game.

McRave on :

I could probably have my bot take island expansions before the end of the year, but not sure how practical it will be!

Jay Scott on :

It’s hard to tell whether it will help, isn’t it? Only a few maps have islands. And it’s complicated because you have to worry about transferring workers back and forth, defending the island, and so on. But opponents also don’t understand islands, so you could get safe expansions....

Arrak on :

I did want to do doomdrops or island bases, but I didn't feel prepared enough to dive into the details of map analysis and pathfinding. I was disappointed to find out the BWTA pathfinding tool crashes practically every game, and I was hoping at some point someone would make good tools for these tasks.

In particular, nydus canals and using them would be a major priority, after which island bases will be an easy addition for zerg. I believe I calculated that nyduses "practically always" make up their own cost after you transfer 7+ drones away from a nearly mined-out base to another mining base.

Terran, however, should already be able to get island bases with ease.

Jay Scott on :

I agree, nydus canals are key for zerg. I am going to support nydus as part of dropping BWTA.

skar1ath on :

Arrak, your point about nydus speeding up worker transfers is interesting - I had never thought of that before. Of course it makes perfect sense. It's sad that no bots use them.

Due to good map design, taking island expansions shouldn't be easier on the SSCAIT ladder for Terran than it is for any other race. The blocking mineral patches make it impossible to land a sneaky command center, so Terran has to drop a worker first and mine them out like any other race.

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