BI feature: AI does not throw weapons!

**Duke John** · 10-04-2005, 07:23

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.

**Bartix** · 10-04-2005, 08:19

Have we here first BI feature of major "Gah!!" value??
If confirmed This is some thing that will need a patch.

**TB666** · 10-04-2005, 10:34

Yeah notice that too.
Like CA remove "fire at will" for the AI.

**Duke John** · 10-04-2005, 10:37

Not exactly, archers still shoot, and legionaires should throw pilums before they charge and that has nothing to do with fire at will.

**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:

**Geoffrey S** · 10-04-2005, 13:19

Originally Posted by Duke John

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.

Yeah, these are the sort of things that should be noticed during intensive testing.

**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.