Potential Ground Forces Bug or Disbanded for Non-Payment

[Tampa_Gamer]

In my current game I have been running a deficit between 10-40k a year for the past few years. I started this sequence with about 44 ground forces and am now down to about 37. While they have fought off various pirates incursions, none of them went below 50% health. Before I pursue this potential bug more, is anyone aware of a forced disbanding of troops or ships due to having negative cash for a few years in a row? Seems like at a minimum there would be a warning of sorts. Despite having played this game for several years now, I have never seen this behavior (however, I have rarely been in deficit mode this long).

As an aside, does anyone know the file where I can find the specific bonuses provided to the AI when playing on the harder difficulties?


Thanks

[Bingeling]

Are troops automated?

I don't think there should be any forced stuff happening on manual. With automation it is likely to happen.

[Tampa_Gamer]

Good question - nope, I play full manual. The only thing I have done differently is use the (newer) method of transferring some troops to transports using the manual drop down menu available at planets to load onto specific transports rather than the "load/unload" commands. I am a control freak of sorts and love that relatively newer option, but perhaps it has a few lingering bugs related to it?

[Bingeling]

It is worth keeping an eye on things involving troop movement, and check on troop totals once in a while. Maybe you can notice where they disappear. Maybe a screenshot of the troop list sorted on troop name can be useful?

[Tampa_Gamer]

Agreed. I just wanted to be sure that there wasn’t some hidden deficit reduction at work here before I spent some time on this. I have save games from the beginning point with the full complement of troops and my current one. I will try and pinpoint the specific troops that went AWOL tonight (and double-check the history log again) after work and then create a detailed post in the bug forum. Hopefully, Elliot is still willing to fix a few bugs if identified. Thanks

[Tampa_Gamer]

Update - I think I found the culprit - upon reviewing a few save games over the time period, a recently subjugated empire was caught picking up my troops with their troop transport and then subsequently losing their ships fighting pirates...this despite my troops being on 100% manual control. I suppose a stop gap measure is to make sure all troops are checked for garrison unless/until you are ready to transfer them.