BI feature: AI does not throw weapons!

**Susanne** · 10-04-2005, 15:26

Originally Posted by Duke John

I read at TWC that the AI does not throw weapons (axes, darts, javelines). So I did 2 tests, one defending, one attacking with equal forces (3 types of WRE infantry) and in both cases the AI either attacked immediately or waited for me attack. But not a single javelin was thrown. Not good.

I'm sure BI was tested before it was released, but if this is indeed a bug and not a feature like the siege one then CA should really re-evaluate their testers.

I have noticed this too. In a test battle featuring one unit of Eastern Roman Plumbatarii vs one unit of Western Roman Comitatenses (this is irrelevant, but I thought some of you might care). Charging the Comitatenses, the AI made no effort to bring up the javelins.

**Kraxis** · 10-04-2005, 19:37

As I said it has long been so with the rebel Hastati in the original campaign. I have never seen them throw their pila.

It is disturbing though that it now applies to all similar units.

**TB666** · 10-04-2005, 19:46

Can also confirm this.
Hopefully we will see a fix for this soon.

**Rodion Romanovich** · 10-04-2005, 19:55

I also found out this in my first battle vs ERE as the goths. They didn't throw at my horse archer mercs despite the ha mercs passing very close by in one of my manouvres. Then it was repeated when they ran forward towards my line of spearmen. They just stood there for a while, then retreated.

**Afro Thunder** · 10-04-2005, 22:34

I think it has to do with the fact that those units do not have Fire at Will turned on by default. If you approach an AI Comitatenses unit they won't throw Pila at you, but if they decide to attack, then they will throw a volley and charge. Again, it's simply because the AI doesn't know how to turn on the Fire at Will ability.

**Duke John** · 10-04-2005, 22:49

Did you see AI Comitatenses firing a volley before charging? In my tests the AI simply shoots never; not when charging not when standing within shooting range.

**Crazed Rabbit** · 10-04-2005, 22:51

Wow. This doesn't look good.

But then, perhaps its another 'feature' of the AI, like that other clever tactic involving raising a siege to confuse and frustrate players, so they quit the game and the AI wins!

Crazed Rabbit

**Red Harvest** · 10-04-2005, 23:05

Ouch. This is one of those issues that gives the player an edge. Seems CA forgot to build in some sort of logic test for whether or not AI infantry should or should not throw their projectiles.

**Mr Frost** · 10-05-2005, 01:47

Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

But then, perhaps its another 'feature' of the AI, like that other clever tactic involving raising a siege to confuse and frustrate players, so they quit the game and the AI wins!

Such cunning !

Has anyone tested this in the Demo ?
If it is different there , it could help C/A {whom I hope have more support for game patches than they used to from Activision} pin down whatever is causing the problem .