Does the AI ever attack forts?

[Turbo]

In my current game, I have built several forts in passes and occupied them with 1 town watch unit. So far, the AI has parked huge armies by the forts but has yet to attack them.

Another bug?

[Plantagenet]

I've seen the same thing. They either pile up around my 1 unit fort or they move off in search of another route into my province. Strange.

[Tricky Lady]

Yes they do. I've had some forts attacked by the enemy (for instance Gauls who attacked/besieged a fort in the mountain pass at the west of Mediolanium).

Haven't seen them attacking forts often though, but that may be related to me not building forts often.

[d6veteran]

You need to play on very hard I think. Anything less seems to not bring out the aggression in the enemy.

[Botis]

I play on Hard and AI has attacked my Forts.

[troymclure]

I've played campaigns on all settings (most on VH/Medium) and the AI will attack forts on whatever setting, it does seem very reluctant to do so though. Doesn't really seem to matter how small the garrison is if theres a fort AI generals will 90% of the time walk up to it and then leave, 5% of the time they will beseige it and then lift the seige within a couple of turns never to return. The other 5% of the time they actually try and take the fort. IMO.

[Colovion]

I've played campaigns on all settings (most on VH/Medium) and the AI will attack forts on whatever setting, it does seem very reluctant to do so though. Doesn't really seem to matter how small the garrison is if theres a fort AI generals will 90% of the time walk up to it and then leave, 5% of the time they will beseige it and then lift the seige within a couple of turns never to return. The other 5% of the time they actually try and take the fort. IMO.

on Hard/Hard it's the same way

[ToranagaSama]

If you build a Fort at the opening of a Pass, does it serve to block the Pass?
Is the only way for the enemey to move through the Pass to take the Fort?
I'm not sure what the purpose a Fort serves.

Thanks.

[Nelson]

If you build a Fort at the opening of a Pass, does it serve to block the Pass?
Is the only way for the enemey to move through the Pass to take the Fort?
I'm not sure what the purpose a Fort serves.

Thanks.

Any army can block a pass with or without a fort. In either case the blockers must be defeated.

Forts provide a stockade to defend as opposed to just defending an open space which is useful when badly outnumbered. They also provide a rally point for retreating armies. Putting up a fort before engaging in a battle or a siege can prevent your army from leaving the area altogether if you lose or chose to withdraw. Forts are so cheap that I build a lot of them when in enemy territory. So did the Romans.

[lars573]

I've had the gauls try to take my forts on easy. Granted I hardly ever use forts the AI will just try to find a way around. Unless you put the fort right on the road them the AI runs right into it and has to deal with it.

[troymclure]

On a related note i've started using alot of forts and watchtowers in my games. There are some largish sections of the map you can block of using 3 or four forts, this tends to make the AI pretty much leave you alone, especially if you aren't at war with the neighbour you're blocking off. I also like watchtowers for early warning and i also seems to spawn less rebels around the place as a result.

[Tamur]

They also provide a rally point for retreating armies. Putting up a fort before engaging in a battle or a siege can prevent your army from leaving the area altogether if you lose or chose to withdraw.

Probably the most useful thing about them, besides the basic walls from which you can sally. Having routed units regroup at the "flagpole" in a fort defence has saved my army more than once.

Forts are so cheap that I build a lot of them when in enemy territory. So did the Romans.

Hehe, yep, every night! The work involved doing that over and over is staggering...