I've been with the TW series since the original Shogun and have never played online. I've always played the AI, complained about the AI being stupid (which it really isn't, but you do get to a point where you have a pretty good idea how to manipulate a win), and never once played an online battle.
I cannot believe what I've been missing. Its great!!! So if any of you see "The Real Devastatin Dave" out there, enjoy the victory now, because I'm learning with each painful, but thrilling, defeat.