Hi

I'm no modder, and claim no great insight into MTW, but...

1) I think it's generally accepted that the AI is pretty poor at exploiting trade goods on account of its inability to maintain a 'ship in contiguous sea regions' infrastructure; and

2) By contrast, the AI does a reasonable job of building the farming and mining technologies so getting good returns from these resources.

It seems to me, therefore, that trade income potential should be significantly reduced, and farming and mining income increased.

I would also approve of an increase in the cost of building and maintaining ships, plus making them take longer to build. I feel this is preferable to other strategems to cut down on (or at least make more expensive) teleportation-like long distance naval invasions and vast trading networks

I definitely think artillery should be much harder and more expensive to build.

I sympathise with the desire to help smaller factions, but see this as a forlorn hope. I am inclined to boost the staying power (and challenge) of the larger factions, and rely on revolts and reappearances to keep the smaller factions in the game.

I really really wish the player could gift sums from his treasury to AI factions.

Just my ha'penny worth.

Best regards
Victor

Sapere aude
Horace