BI feature: AI does not throw weapons!

**Uriel** · 10-04-2005, 11:37

If may be too much to hope for, but could the AI be seeking a tactical advantage? For instance if confronted to the front with well armoured troops holding shields, the AI will not use missile weapons, as they will be relatively ineffectual. I've seen several people state that missiles are ineffective against well armoured troops in a frontal assault.

If the AI is presented with the unguarded rear or sides of these troops, or unarmoured opponents without shields do they let loose? They could just be holding their fire, saving their missiles for the opportune moment.

**Duke John** · 10-04-2005, 12:12

I did new tests; 1 peasant defending against 1 AI comitatenses, which immediately charged. 1 peasant attacking AI resulted in the AI immediately marching and charging towards the peasants. To avoid this I added 2 backup peasents who did not nothing besides being spectactors. I marched up the lowly peasants just in front of the AI Comitatenses and took this spectacular screenshot that showed the AI at its best; doing nothing:

**Jambo** · 10-04-2005, 12:30

maybe the AI doesn't deem peasants worthy enough of wasting a javelin on? Do skirmishing units/legions still throw their weapons in RTW 1.3, or is it just BI that this problem occurs in?

**Puzz3D** · 10-04-2005, 13:03

Originally Posted by Jambo

maybe the AI doesn't deem peasants worthy enough of wasting a javelin on? Do skirmishing units/legions still throw their weapons in RTW 1.3, or is it just BI that this problem occurs in?

AI skirmishers are throwing their javelins at my troops, hastati mostly, in RTW v1.3. This is happening at the start of the battle when the battlelines get close to each other. The AI sends it's skirmishes out front, but not too far forward. If I send my velites forward, the AI with charge them with cavalry or melee infantry which seems correct.

**Kraxis** · 10-04-2005, 13:07

Kurdish Javelinmen and other true skirmishers do throw their weapons, but units with FAW off do not throw them at all. Siege units do shoot though, despite starting with FAW off.

I noted this a long time ago when I was fighting some rebel Hastati in RTW. They never responded to my own Hastati throwing their pila.

Then I came here but there wasn't much response to it. I guess I should have posted a new thread for it.

**Jambo** · 10-04-2005, 13:20

Didn't the AI Hastati, Principes, etc, used to throw their pilum before charge in 1.2?

Am I right in thinking that this is what is claimed is no longer occurring in BI (and possibly 1.3)?