Request for future xmage updates : improve offline game

[WildstarDerek76]

First of all, I thank those who, by dedicating themselves to the development of this project, let the passion behind this immense and excellent work pass. Having said this, I would like to forward my request hoping it will be fulfilled for the next versions of xmage : I am an xmage player who plays mainly offline, I wonder if it will be possible to see in the next versions an expansion for offline play with more choices for bot intelligence to face and if the capabilities of the opponent driven by the CPU will be more complex and developed to make offline play more challenging and as close as possible to a game with human players. Thank you.

[jeffwadsworth]

The MAD AI is quite capable. Behold. https://youtu.be/_SGbinPzLcc

[JayDi85]

AI experience depends on used deck and cards. Some can be good for AI: simple actions and targets, clear good/bad effects, etc. But some can be bad: complex combos with discard, X values, sacrifice, etc.

[WildstarDerek76]

AI experience depends on used deck and cards. Some can be good for AI: simple actions and targets, clear good/bad effects, etc. But some can be bad: complex combos with discard, X values, sacrifice, etc.

Thank you for your answer, so in this aspect in xmage it will not be possible to see in future updates a development regarding offline play with an improved AI in handling more complex game operations (complex combos with discard, X values, sacrifice, etc..)? Thank you for your great work and your eventual response.

[JayDi85]

There are many places to improve. Example: attack/block decisions (current version do not use simulation of all possible combinations for better choice). Same for yes/no and other choices on resolve. And more: #10197

[WildstarDerek76]

There are many places to improve. Example: attack/block decisions (current version do not use simulation of all possible combinations for better choice). Same for yes/no and other choices on resolve. And more: #10197

I agree with u Jaydi85, clearly improving the AI responses to assist in more complex plays is not easy I suppose, my question was more related to the desire to improve this aspect to make the challenges more satisfying with an ai capable of developing more complex combos as you mentioned. That's all, or if offline development was seen as a more marginal aspect of the project (Obviously I hope it is considered not a marginal aspect, but important it would be fantastic!) . Thank you very much.

[sprangg]

Currently single player offline play is a marginal aspect of XMage, unless someone comes along and starts focusing on that.

In the meantime, you might have some luck with Forge, which is the other open source mtg engine that's very much focused on offline play instead of online play.

[jeffwadsworth]

The version in the example above actually uses simulated combat to arrive at the "best" option for the attacker or defender. But, I just use it locally because going above 3 vs 3 gets too crazy. It will use multiple blockers if need be and considers everything in the game state (effects, triggers) until the end of the turn (Sengir Vampire).