Game mechanics questions for CA

[Duke John]

I'm sorry for piling on, but I just need to ask this as it's ruining the battles for me:

Why do missile units controlled by an attacking AI charge immediately leaving the Ai combat units behind?
In M:TW battles it was quite normal to have a "missile war" but this interesting phase is often disregarded by the AI in R:TW.

Why are some combat units so undecisive in charging?
I have setup equal battles and when the AI approaches my line it becomes indecisive. Units move up, decide not to charge (perhaps the algorithm for comparing values is flawed?) and move back. It becomes a little dance that is repeated until at one point the unit decides to charge, most of the time unsupported. As a result the player just needs to line up, and take the AI units piecemeal and win without a single click.
The AI would perform better if it would form a line with some reserves and flank guards and just charge without changing course into the players line. Now it seems to be getting too much information and once a decision has been made (move to enemy unit) it gets new information which makes it change its decision (move back).

But still many thanks for already provided answers

[econ21]

Thanks for the long list of answers, Jerome, it is greatly appreciated.

[buujin]

Id also VERY VERY very much like to know the answer to Duke John's question.. i think its one of the most important things for modders to know.

however, thanks already for your previous responce jerome !

[hrvojej]

Thank you for the info, Jerome.

[Vinsitor]

- Is the spear/pike rank bonus the same as in MTW/VI (2 ranks for spears, 4 ranks for pikes, bonus= 1/.5/1)?

- How does the combat equation work (included rank/AP bonuses)?

- How does AP bonus work? Is it the same as MTW/VI?