Anyone who watches TC noticed...?

[Beelzebub]

One of the things that sucked about MTW was the way the AI couldn't handle projectile units well. Basically any Infantry or cavalry were considered projectile throwers first, and combat units 2nd. This meant that even kickass projectile units like Mongol Infantry or Boyars would turn tail and run (skirmish mode) if anyone attacked them, even much weaker units. This made it very easy for cavalry to rout them because they would always get run down from behind. When Wes tried to add in stronger Infantry/archer combo units to MedMod he eventually had to remove most of their bows because the AI just doesn't know how to use them (it's pretty ridiculous seeing kats trying to act like horse archers lol). I suspect this is why CA just added light pure archer/horsearcher/javalin units (asides from a couple of exceptions) to the original game, because any better ones wouldn't be used properly by the AI.

So I was wondering if anyone noticed if CA fixed this for RTW. A key strategy for the Legions was to release a few volleys of pilums before engaging, otherwise they are normal medium Infantry. If someone tried to do this in MTW, they would start running if the enemy closed the distance before they shot all their spears.

[Spino]

Well CA definitely seems to have fixed the 'skirmish only' behavior of all infantry units that wield missile weapons. I've seen TC video footage that clearly shows AI controlled pre/post Marian legionnaires letting loose with volleys of pilae while firmly holding their ground in close proximity to an enemy unit. So either CA has programmed the AI to treat units with certain types of missile weapons differently than the rest or better yet, they have hard coded the concept of classes into the game engine so that the AI can better utilize such hybrid troops in battle.

I really am glad they addressed this problem. It is positively tragic watching great hybrid units like Bonnachts and Almughavars in the hands of MTW's AI becoming nothing more than a pack of skittish skirmishers.

[Kraxis]

Well, in MTW it wasn't grat, but I have several times seen Boyars charge me long before they ran out of arrows, even countercharge some cav I sent to run them off.
So it isn't like the AI always sent them running, but admittedly I have only seen the Boyars do this... :rolleys

[The Wizard]

Isn't the enemy army always controlled by one of the TC operators...? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[andrewt]

I don't get this. Wouldn't it be simple for CA to just tell the AI to use engage at will instead of skirmish for units like Mongol Warriors and Boyars to prevent this from happening?

[Sir Moody]

Quote[/b] ] don't get this. Wouldn't it be simple for CA to just tell the AI to use engage at will instead of skirmish for units like Mongol Warriors and Boyars to prevent this from happening?

theres a lot of things that CA could do that seem simple http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

as for RTW ive seem units firing on the move and while charging so it looks good - on the other hand tho archers dont fall back when aproached by enemy they hold their gorund too soo... early days