Getting that sinking feeling...

[Slaists]

VH BAI is insane.

I sent you a response Braden.

For me M/M or M/H is the best settings. Medium CAI gives you a rational or semi rational response, while M or H BAI doesn't mean your General is going to be hit in the left butt cheek from 450 yards by a cannon ball after the first 30 seconds of battle. That, plus the inability of Flintlock Citizenry to out shoot your 3 chevron Line Infantry, which is a distinct possibility on VH BAI.

There is no "AI" in the "BAI" on any difficulty level. On VH battle difficulty though, the AI's side gets insane battle stat bonuses such that mobs and militias can out-shoot line infantry. Total conversion mods such as Imperial Splendor specifically state that their battle stats are balanced for normal battle difficulty and that harder battle difficulties will result in unbalanced and irrational results (such as militias annihilating line infantry).

This is not new to TW though. I believe, MTW 2 was the only TW game that did not boost AI's stats through the roof on VH battle difficulty. In MTW 2 though, there was practically no difference in AI side's battle performance in N, H and VH.