Quote Originally Posted by Bob the Insane
I can't say I fully understand the first post but I do have an opinion on difficulty levels...

I just want one where the AI has all it's clever tricks enabled but without an bonuses or penalties applied to the troops...

Seperating the strategic and and Battlefield difficulties in RTW was a step in the right direction. But I would like to see the some separation of the AI's tricks and bonuses and penalties...
That's always been my sentiments exactly. In all genres, not just the strategy genres, it's bothered me that STILL we watch improved AI be in the form of a predetermined advantage given to the AI side, not a more challenging strategic approach. Was the same with Madden Football for years (has gotten worked out by now)...instead of better strategy and reads by a defense on All-Madden, DB's with 65 speed could run just as fast as WR with 99 speed. That's total garbage.

With Rome, I can't say it's as bad. This is why I don't play video games anymore and focus on pc games...they're just "smarter". But still, giving the AI unit an "invisible" chevron or weapon/armor boost isn't improving the AI. That's just candy-coating the lack of it. I want the AI to perform smarter on the campaign map and on the battlefield..period. Nobody has ever asked for invisible stat buffs to units on the AI faction's side.

I'll tell you the other thing that doesn't cut it either: Phalanx units controlled by the AI running AS FAST or FASTER than cavalry units, strictly because they were about to be flanked and decimated. Now that's exactly what I'm talking about...not better AI, just a cloak.

Still though...I would never have started a thread on this myself as asking for "better AI" is kind of like saying "life's not fair". Obviously.