Picayune Porter Starcraft AI
Picayune Porter is a Terran version of UAlbertaBot featuring Vulture-kiting, bunkers at choke points, and a tweaked build order based on Flash’s Double Armoury Build.
Picayune Porter is a three student project for CMPUT350 (Advanced AI in Games) to create an AI that wins the most Starcraft matches against other bots. We converted the university’s Zerg AI (UAlbertaBot) to a Terran AI within one month. The project offered many challenges since the base AI didn’t support Terran features. For example, the base AI had no logic to build base defenses or research unit upgrades. Because Terrans have a slow start, we added counters to common rush tactics. At the end of the month, our bot took part in a round-robin tournament against eighteen other bots. These included twelve student bots, UAlbertaBot, and previous tourney winners. As a result of our changes, Picayune came in second place. Our AI offered the only improvement over the AI performance baseline (+12.5% win rate).
Responsibilities
Picayune Porter Features
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Flash’s Double Armory Build | Optimized build order for vehicle mass production |
| Vulture Kiting and Mines | Vultures drop Spider Mines behind themselves when chased by enemies |
| Bunkers at Choke Points | Places bunkers at base entrances to protect bases |
| Researches Upgrades | Previous bots did not research Terran upgrades |
| Early-Rush Defense | Previous bots did not protect their bases |
| Anti-Air Defense | Goliaths are upgraded early to protect Vultures and Siege Tanks from aerial attacks |
| Reaver Drop Defense | Missile turrets are built early to prevent Reaver Drops |
Soft Counters
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| (Tweaked) Flash’s Double Armoury Build | 2 base Reaver to Carrier Carriers Slow expanding Protoss |
| Early Bunkers at choke-points | Early-game Zerg rush |
| Missile Turret near resources | Reaver Drop |