AI modding

[NicSO]

AI is stupid, we all know this. Im playing on medium and Im never going to play on easy or hard because I like that all stats are on the same level not +4 or + 7. I just wanna good AI...Is there a way to make computer controlled units smarter?

[Turbo]

To answer your question, yes, there are ways to improve the AI but they require either modding the game yourself or using a MOD. My complaint with most of the mods out there is that they eliminate units or otherwise change
some aspect of the game that deviates the MOD too far away from the original.

I wanted a better challenge without radically changing the game so, I made myself a "patch" to the vanilla version to tweak the AI to play better. Here is what I did:

- Fixed the stamina bug: The AI does play differently with the stamina fixed.
- Fixed the Bodyguard bug: The game doesn't upgrade the bodyguard unit properly. This fix gives the bodyguard more survivability against more advanced types.
- Tweaked the bodyguard unit: To make it charge less
- Increased morale: To make the AI less likely to rout
- Fixed some spear units that were ineffective against cavalry
- Use the 75% speed reduction for battles to slow them down
- Use the naval build settings recommended by Spartan
- Use the behavior optimization settings recommended by Spartan
- Increased the build opportunities for specialty units such as Naked Fanatics, beserkers, etc. These units are a challenge to fight against.
- Eliminate the bribe for diplomats (hate this aspect of the game). I find the AI wastes a lot of cash that could be better spent saved for units.

As I tend to play the Roman factions, I overhauled the non-roman factions in terms of infrastructure and alliances to allow them to tech up a bit faster. All and all it is more challenging for me and more enjoyable.

This is pretty easy to do and the forums provide interesting ideas to experiment with.

[NicSO]

Thnx;)

[Duke John]

Turbo, how did you turn off bribing?

[.Spartan]

You did something very, very near my private setup.

Those changes used with our Cherry Vanilla Pack (CVP -to be published today) for the VnV aspects make it something of a new game.

Congrats on your effort!

-Spartan

To answer your question, yes, there are ways to improve the AI but they require either modding the game yourself or using a MOD. My complaint with most of the mods out there is that they eliminate units or otherwise change
some aspect of the game that deviates the MOD too far away from the original.

I wanted a better challenge without radically changing the game so, I made myself a "patch" to the vanilla version to tweak the AI to play better. Here is what I did:

- Fixed the stamina bug: The AI does play differently with the stamina fixed.
- Fixed the Bodyguard bug: The game doesn't upgrade the bodyguard unit properly. This fix gives the bodyguard more survivability against more advanced types.
- Tweaked the bodyguard unit: To make it charge less
- Increased morale: To make the AI less likely to rout
- Fixed some spear units that were ineffective against cavalry
- Use the 75% speed reduction for battles to slow them down
- Use the naval build settings recommended by Spartan
- Use the behavior optimization settings recommended by Spartan
- Increased the build opportunities for specialty units such as Naked Fanatics, beserkers, etc. These units are a challenge to fight against.
- Eliminate the bribe for diplomats (hate this aspect of the game). I find the AI wastes a lot of cash that could be better spent saved for units.

As I tend to play the Roman factions, I overhauled the non-roman factions in terms of infrastructure and alliances to allow them to tech up a bit faster. All and all it is more challenging for me and more enjoyable.

This is pretty easy to do and the forums provide interesting ideas to experiment with.

[wilddog]

Are either of these mods available and if so where? I spent a few hours yesterday doing the change on the stamina bit and some naval changes then a few changes to cabvalry and arhers (size reductions) but looks like you've got most of the amendments I'd like.

In particular how did you trun off bribing? - I make diplomats only to bribe their diplomats - to stop them bribing my units/cities!

[Encaitar]

I'd guess he probably edited the descr_character.txt file, and removed the "bribe" actions.

[BobTheTerrible]

I think there was something over on the twcenter abut how Hardy and Very Hardy were mixed up. The AI apparently recognizes units as the inverse of what they are. By giving the opposite traits (ie make a Hardy unit Very Hardy) the AI will see them correctly. I heard the AI will try to break the center of your line much more, and use its cav to take out your archers, etc. I can't find the exact post but it might have been something under the Total Realism mod forums.

And BTW if you would upload your "patched" version, I would definately download it, minus the speed reduction. I can't stand the reduction until the animations are change.

[wilddog]

I'd guess he probably edited the descr_character.txt file, and removed the "bribe" actions.

Encaitar - I looked through thta file and only identified 2 references. So I removed and still had a couple of birbes against me at H/H within the first 10 years.

I'm still not sure how you can stop this. About to start a new game but back to the old tactic of having to bribe their diplomats before they bribe you