Ars Moriendi
12-27-2013, 15:23
Did the AI got smarter recently, or am I just witnessing some quasi-random actions that just happened to look intelligent ?
I'm only just starting my 2nd campaign in R2, so my questions might seem dumb for those of you more experienced.
Why am I asking this ? Well, I've been playing TW games for more than a decade, and I know the campaign AI / diplomacy had never been very smart. But I just went through a few surprising turns where the AI acted with an unexpected amount of common sense.
Campaign report below.
* * *
I'm playing the Romans (normal diff. + Divide et Impera mod). Solved the Etruscan problem quickly, then went on looking for a casus belli against the Cisalpine gauls, on the quest to unify the peninsula. The Veneti where easy : they where a little too friendly towards the late Etruscans, so I simply DoW and take Patavium. The Insubres and Liguri are at war, so I take sides with Genua and march on Medhlanum. As for political preparation, I sign treaties (trade and non agression) with everyone on the other side of the Alps, securing my (future) northern border.
Now it gets interesting :
First, the Insubres sue for peace, as soon as I step on their lands, not even attacking them yet. With an 8500(!) cash offer. Now, if I'd never played TW before, this would seem normal considering the balance of power. But I'm so accustomed to the usually ridiculous behaviour from the past games, I was truly shocked. What, no more one-last-province suicidal faction which goes "Tremble before us ! Give us all your gold and become our vassal and we'll let you live !" - against a 30-province empire ??? And where's the obstinate refusal of peace ? They actually act as if survival matters, now ?
They almost convinced me, too. But I really want full Cisalpina, and I'm making too much money anyway (apparently, DeI doesn't raise the difficulty level as advertised - maybe I should restart on Hard or higher).
Then, the Liguri get tricky : they stop their marching army at the limit of the reinforcement zone. Exactly what I would've done : leaving the others to fight the difficult part then stepping in to mop the remains. So, no allies (read : cannon fodder) for the assault. I must lay siege.
Two turns later, the Insubres sally and lose the battle in the field. The town isn't taken yet, but they only have a few men left so I just click assault as soon as AI turn finishes. And surprise : I'm greeted with a confirmation message : "Are you sure you want to declare war ?" or something like that.
What !? I'm already at war with them, nearly won too.
Well, no.
Apparently, during their turn, the few remaining Insubres went political and created the newly born "Celtic confederation". Including some of my new friends north of the Alps, with which I have just signed various treaties.
Dilemma : do I give up on Cisalpina ? or do I risk going to war against an alliance stronger than me (and also get a stain on my diplomatic record) ?
Shock : the AI has been acting as if the I in AI is for real.
Is it just a glitch, or is this happening regularly ?
I'm only just starting my 2nd campaign in R2, so my questions might seem dumb for those of you more experienced.
Why am I asking this ? Well, I've been playing TW games for more than a decade, and I know the campaign AI / diplomacy had never been very smart. But I just went through a few surprising turns where the AI acted with an unexpected amount of common sense.
Campaign report below.
* * *
I'm playing the Romans (normal diff. + Divide et Impera mod). Solved the Etruscan problem quickly, then went on looking for a casus belli against the Cisalpine gauls, on the quest to unify the peninsula. The Veneti where easy : they where a little too friendly towards the late Etruscans, so I simply DoW and take Patavium. The Insubres and Liguri are at war, so I take sides with Genua and march on Medhlanum. As for political preparation, I sign treaties (trade and non agression) with everyone on the other side of the Alps, securing my (future) northern border.
Now it gets interesting :
First, the Insubres sue for peace, as soon as I step on their lands, not even attacking them yet. With an 8500(!) cash offer. Now, if I'd never played TW before, this would seem normal considering the balance of power. But I'm so accustomed to the usually ridiculous behaviour from the past games, I was truly shocked. What, no more one-last-province suicidal faction which goes "Tremble before us ! Give us all your gold and become our vassal and we'll let you live !" - against a 30-province empire ??? And where's the obstinate refusal of peace ? They actually act as if survival matters, now ?
They almost convinced me, too. But I really want full Cisalpina, and I'm making too much money anyway (apparently, DeI doesn't raise the difficulty level as advertised - maybe I should restart on Hard or higher).
Then, the Liguri get tricky : they stop their marching army at the limit of the reinforcement zone. Exactly what I would've done : leaving the others to fight the difficult part then stepping in to mop the remains. So, no allies (read : cannon fodder) for the assault. I must lay siege.
Two turns later, the Insubres sally and lose the battle in the field. The town isn't taken yet, but they only have a few men left so I just click assault as soon as AI turn finishes. And surprise : I'm greeted with a confirmation message : "Are you sure you want to declare war ?" or something like that.
What !? I'm already at war with them, nearly won too.
Well, no.
Apparently, during their turn, the few remaining Insubres went political and created the newly born "Celtic confederation". Including some of my new friends north of the Alps, with which I have just signed various treaties.
Dilemma : do I give up on Cisalpina ? or do I risk going to war against an alliance stronger than me (and also get a stain on my diplomatic record) ?
Shock : the AI has been acting as if the I in AI is for real.
Is it just a glitch, or is this happening regularly ?