Frustrations when defending

Hey all,

First post here (seem to have lost my old account or it's inactive), but I'm no newbie to the Total War arena.

Playing as Venice on turn 86 I am fighting a hard and long campaign against Byzantium (they never give up, and provoked war within the first turns of the campaign).

I have captured Durazzo and Thessalonica and am preparing a large siege force towards Constaninople. My issue is concerning their superior numbers attacking my forces - forcing me into clear defensive positions - and then not attacking! Their infrantry and cavalry will get in range of my crossbownmen and even peasant archers and just stand there - taking mounting casualties and all. I will empty all of my arrows and they'll just stand there - waiting for me to attack.

This is happening frequently as well with a short war I am having with Hungary - they will field thousands of Dismounted Fuedal Knights that are nearly impervious to my arrows - but they will stand in range and wait until I charge. We're talking superior numbers and standard of soldier...They will be up against my a few hundred spearman, archers, and maybe one or two sets of cavalary that I arrange for a flank. But they will simply stand there and make me sad. :wall:

Has anyone experienced these sorts of issues? I noticed the patch notes (which I have not had a chance to install) may fix an issue with "AI armies not charging"), but I don't know if this will directly impact my problem.

Thanks and happy gaming - I'm still engrossed with MTW2 (best yet, IMO).


Note: I am playing with no time limits in battle. :yes:

You have discovered the Holy Bugbear of this forum for yourself, my good friend. Hereby, you shall know it as the Passive AI Bug, and then thank your lucky stars that you first experienced on the day its patch came out - serendipidity indeed! And then pity those of us who've been playing with it since release.

I suggest you install the patch, which is save-compatible, and have another go. I've just installed mine, and haven't had a chance to play with it as yet.

Aye, thank you. I have noticed this "Passive AI" bug mentioned in the forums and now understand its true definition. I have being playing since release but only started to notice this bug crop up during the last 20-25 turns of my Venetian campaign. Let's hope today's patch fixes said bug - or else my archers will continue to defeat Dismounted Fuedal Knights with ease. :laugh4: