2 questions about the AI

[Pericles]

[QUOTE=Ash]

For a tougher fight, here is an easy modding tip:

Well that's nice, but I'm not looking for a tougher fight, I just wanted to know how aggressive the AI is towards you then towards other factions.

It's approximately 1100 AD and all of the major factions are at war - no one has been eliminated yet.

I'm playing on Hard - so it's tough from that standpoint. The AI is definitely more aggressive. And with the extra income and aggression the AI factions are definitely pushing their weight around; the AI is attacking each other as well as me.

But it makes sense that England and Italy would attack me. They are next to me, plus my provinces are very rich and I have a sizable income. So they are obviously after my country for the infrastructure. It should be noted that they DO NOT pillage when they enter Spain. That means they WANT those provinces for the income.

At the moment Italy and I (as Spain) are locked in a titanic struggle for control of Spain.

Italy has complete naval supremacy in the Med and Atlantic around Spain. It also has sizable stacks and has been landing in my provinces at will. They have also been upgrading. Italy is also building up for another attack on Aragon from the landward side with three stacks and counting

I have an excellent infrastructure and income and have gone on a total war footing, churning out units every turn including Royal Knights, Jinettes and Feudal Men at Arms. I hold a slight edge on land, with wins/losses about equal between me and Italy.

My plan is to crank out land units and defeat Italy in Spain. Hopefully, Italy will sue for peace. THEN I will work on producing a fleet. As it stands right now any ships I pump out now will be lost to Italian ships. So I'll wait.

So far, I have engaged in at least two battles per turn, and they have been close run battles - the outcome is usually decided by the side with the better tactics. The AI has surprised me on more than one ocassion

I must say that usually these types of fights occur later in the game, so it is a pleasant surprise to encounter them early on. I'm having a blast

Stay tuned to find out who wins this Spanish/Italian War.