Using AI to do your dirty job..

**Ibn-Khaldun** · 05-10-2009, 18:42

I have noticed that many times I tend to use AI to do my dirty job when it comes down to attacking cities.

Examples:
As Carthage I wait until Lusotanon besiege the town north of Gader and then besiege it in the same turn. Next turn I have my rams and I attack that town and Lusotanon join the attack as reinforcements. If they haven't built rams themselves then I use one of mine and knock a hole into the walls. Once that is done Lusotanon troops will take the town for me and I don't have to fight any battles.
I use the same procedure to capture Taras. I just send some units there and wait til Romans besiege Taras and let them fight the battle.
As Seleucids I use Makedonia in the same way when I want to capture Pergamon.
These are some early game examples but when ever I see an opportunity to fight a battle with AI being an Ally I use it. These battles usually make my games a bit more interesting.

So, I would like to know are there others who use the AI like this? And what factions do you use?

**Svenn** · 05-10-2009, 21:27

Good Idea, However,

How does having your battles fought for you make the game more interesting?

For me it would have the opposite effect

**Molinaargh** · 05-10-2009, 22:16

It's a crafty idea, but the game is easy enough without exploiting such possibilities.

**Ibn-Khaldun** · 05-11-2009, 08:21

Originally Posted by Svenn

Good Idea, However,

How does having your battles fought for you make the game more interesting?

For me it would have the opposite effect

Because then it would make sense why a faction who have been your Ally for decades decides to betray you?

Also, it is rare chance to actually have a battle where AI faction is your reinforcements. I mean, how many times you get the chance to fight side by side with an Allied leader or heir? Custom battles do not give you that choice.

**Atraphoenix** · 05-11-2009, 12:11

I used the same tactic with bactria and me (pahlav) besieged taxila Baktrian general was killed by elephants I just waited for 2.5 minutes thing to save my ass. while my axemen was keeping them busy until the time finished.

**Macilrille** · 05-11-2009, 12:23

I used it often against powerful allies to sap their strength in Vanilla when the AI would actually ally with and help you. However, IIRC, the one to first lay siege to a city gets it. Not the one to assault it. I have not played vanilla for a long time, so I might remember incorrectly, and in EB there is no such leeway.

It might have to do with difficulty settings. I think I play VH/H.

**Ibn-Khaldun** · 05-11-2009, 22:28

Originally Posted by Macilrille

I used it often against powerful allies to sap their strength in Vanilla when the AI would actually ally with and help you. However, IIRC, the one to first lay siege to a city gets it. Not the one to assault it. I have not played vanilla for a long time, so I might remember incorrectly, and in EB there is no such leeway.

It might have to do with difficulty settings. I think I play VH/H.

That's wrong. The one who assault it will get it.

**Drewski** · 05-10-2009, 23:33

Originally Posted by Ibn-Khaldun

I have noticed that many times I tend to use AI to do my dirty job when it comes down to attacking cities.

Examples:
As Carthage I wait until Lusotanon besiege the town north of Gader and then besiege it in the same turn. Next turn I have my rams and I attack that town and Lusotanon join the attack as reinforcements. If they haven't built rams themselves then I use one of mine and knock a hole into the walls. Once that is done Lusotanon troops will take the town for me and I don't have to fight any battles.
I use the same procedure to capture Taras. I just send some units there and wait til Romans besiege Taras and let them fight the battle.
As Seleucids I use Makedonia in the same way when I want to capture Pergamon.
These are some early game examples but when ever I see an opportunity to fight a battle with AI being an Ally I use it. These battles usually make my games a bit more interesting.

So, I would like to know are there others who use the AI like this? And what factions do you use?

If they aren't you're allies, then by any stretch of the imagination that's called cheating ;)

**DaciaJC** · 05-11-2009, 02:41

Meh, why should I suffer any casualties at all? In my current Getai campaign, I nervously eyed Makedonia for the better part of 20 years. Luckily, all of their armies seemed hellbent on conquering Singidunum (the settlement where Cordinau Orcas can be trained from); so for countless turns, I watched as Makedonian stacks trespassed into my territories, besieged the settlement, and were booted back with severe losses. I counted a full 5 stacks (and then 2 from Epeiros) being lost in combat with the valiant defenders of Singidunum. In the end, I decided the opportunity for a quick conquest was ripe, and so I besieged the city and wiped out the remaining defenders (all that were left were a 60-man strong bodyguard unit of Cordinau Orcas with 9 chevrons). I lost a mere 7 casualties in that battle. So, yes, I most definitely did use the AI to do the dirty work and kept my hands mostly clean.

**Ariovistus Maximus** · 05-11-2009, 04:09

hehehe; I did enjoy one battle where I sat back and let the poor pathetic AI take care of everything.

It was almost routed out of this pathetic eleutheroi settlement. hehe it was so gratifying to watch the AI suffer...

I just can't resist. I've hated the AI ever since it stuck a unit of my precious war elephants RIGHT in front of an enemy tower. Stupid thing basically destroyed the whole blessed unit. So I like to see it suffer.