Quote Originally Posted by rvg
Now, I must confess that I never played on Hard mode. However, comparing Expert mode to Normal, I notice that the +4 morale bonus the A.I. gets is actually a double edged sword.

On one hand, A.I. units are difficult to rout, but on the other hand, A.I. seems to fight relentlessly even after their core troops have been crushed. A.I. keeps sending its fresh re-enforcements into the meat grinder even when the battle is hopelessly lost.

If only that +4 morale bonus worked on the strategic map, but no, the A.I. is still a wuss there.
Great points and discussion.

The once cavaet to the meat grinder scenario is that the AI is still attacking and chances are your losses will be greater then they would have if the AI simply retreated. Thats definately battle specific but the chances of taking more losses to your troops make it harder. Replacement costs, retraining, or loss of elite troops is all part of the consideration.

I concede its a small part, but a relentless attacking AI means you have to have adequate troops to deal with them. I am not ashamed to say that on expert level there have been times when I havent fielded enough melee troops and have had to use archers to mop up.

Was it harder? Tactically not really but the expense of the battle was greater to my nation. Additionally I have found that I have to bring a larger force to bare against the +4 morale bonus which, as stated increases the cost of the battle for me.