Mmmh - I think the patch has vastly improved things - the AI is capable of putting troops on ships - that bug was game-breaking for me. The battlemap AI still sucks, but hey - it's an improvement - I didn't expect my 'puter to be Clausetwitz after the patch (although that'd be great).

To the OP - so what exactly are you complaining about? 1-2 stack attacks ore some force showing at at you doorstep in turn 30? I see your point in critism on #1, but I'd hope for more of #2 on VH.