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new bot SummerHomework

New terran SummerHomework is a Steamhammer fork, so it’s easier for me to make sense of. The author is named in the configuration file as FuZhouL. It is still moving fast; the latest upload was 3 September, and this version has roughly twice as much new code over Steamhammer as the previous upload, going by the binary sizes.

SummerHomework adds terran skills over Steamhammer. To me, the most obvious new skills are spider mines, wraith cloak, and improved building placement. There are also changes in unit mix, tactics, and combat, though it’s harder to parse out what they are. I see mentions of Locutus in the configuration; SummerHomework has at least been tested with Locutus. Besides new skills, SummerHomework adds new bugs. I noticed bugs in the openings, building addons, building placement (the defensive bunker on Heartbreak Ridge can trap units in the base), and supply when the bot is near maxed. (Maybe some of the bugs were already in Steamhammer, and SummerHomework tickles them.) Perhaps the author is a less-experienced programmer who is struggling with the complexity—no shame in that, it is in fact highly complex. (CasiaBot from last year introduced worse bugs, and yet scored over 50% in CIG 2017.)

SummerHomework seems to play more cautiously than Steamhammer. It likes to make an early bunker and build up a substantial force before moving out in strength. In general terms, that is probably correct for a terran bot; Steamhammer plays all races with zerg aggression, and it is not always appropriate. SummerHomework, with wraith cloaking skills, also likes terran air units. It often builds many wraiths even against protoss, and later in the game adds battlecruisers.

Overall, SummerHomework is not playing strongly so far, but it looks like work is moving fast.

Next: New bot Prism Cactus.

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Comments

McRave on :

Is there any mention of it using BWEB? I haven't had a chance to check out and replays. Would love to see a T use it as well if it's currently having building placement issues.

Jay Scott on :

I can answer that from the binary size alone: Given that it is still close in size to Steamhammer, it is not big enough to include both BWTA and BWEM, and not small enough to include BWEM without BWTA. Looking into the contents of the binary, I see BWTA stuff in the binary and no BWEM stuff. And without BWEM there is of course no BWEB.

McRave on :

Hopes crushed! One day when it's a better library I bet.

krasi0 on :

McRave, I would gladly switch to BWEB once the Terran walls are better than those of BWEM (at least on the SSCAIT maps)

Joseph Huang on :

If you extend BWEB to generate unit size aware paths I will seriously consider using it.

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