Does the AI ever use mercenary troops?

[Maximus the Meek]

I have only been playing for 4-5 months, so please forgive me.

But does the AI ever use mercenary troops? I have played and fought quite a few battles, but I don't recall seeing the AI using mercenary troops?

I play on expert level, VI.

Thank you,

Max

[Soulfly]

In my 2 years of playing, I've never seen the AI use them, so I'm guessing no.

I wonder if there is a way to mod it in though, it would deffinitely make things interesting.

[Togakure]

On page 72 of the Viking Invasion user pamphlet, regarding "Disbanding Units," it states:

"Remember that any unit you disband many no longer cost you money, but it hasn't completely disappeared from the game. It becomes a company of mercenaries and is available for hire by anyone with the cash. Be careful if you decide to get rid of a high valor unit--it could end up working for your enemies!"

This suggests that "your enemies" (the AI) can and do use mercenaries, though I have never specifically noticed them doing so in my campaigns.

[mccaffery]

i have seen the holy roman empire use them but that was on expert dont know if it was just on that level or not

[Procrustes]

Occasionally. (It certainly builds enough inns!) It also seems to like to bribe rebels when it has the money - I've had to race their emmisaries to rebel stacks more than once.

[Soulfly]

Not only rebels, but they like to bribe alot of my own armies too. Sometimes I wonder where the AI gets all the cash, because alot of the time, I don't see them with a huge (or even complete) trading empire.

Anyway, I get that a couple times a game, so it's not really something rare. However, I have never seen the AI hire mercs. Is there anything I can change in the game files to increase the frequency of them doing this?

[Maximus the Meek]

Merc's give the player an advantage. I have often hired about 8 units of mercs, and invaded a province, slaughtered their army, while taking losses of my own, and then moving in with my peace and defense forces. It is a big advantage that is cheap to obtain, given that mercs cost less to hire than your regular units, though they cost more to maintain. If you slaughter the mercs in an invasion like I do, then there is no maintainance...

I wish the AI used mercs more, otherwise I almost feel like I am cheating when I hire them...


Thank you,

Max