Quote Originally Posted by anders
the lack of other means to victory than steamrollering the world is really something that is inherent in the very formula TW was first built on; it is a tactical battle game with a strategy part whose only function is to set the stage for tactical battles, iot is not a grand strategy game with tactical battles.

that sais, on lower difficulty you can achieve a lot with subterfuge, but it is more costly and far less effective than pure military means. and irrational and overtly aggressive AI makes subterfuge irrelevant in some games.

I agree but if you look at the thread on 'the poll results' a few weeks ago, MP was unpopular - most people said they didnt play MP because of lack of context for the battles - this is key

yes it is a tactical battle game with strategy to set the scene

but the battles lose context if they are boring, repeditive or clearly some AI cyclical pattern - those battles your wanting to auto

the battles people love are the battles WITH context - ie the great crusade for constantinople, a huge battle with your allies against your enemy and their allies for control of Italian peninsular - with 10's of thousands of men


if the scene is not set adequately then the tactical battles lose context and become pointless and boring, and at that point you stop playing - atm that point is coming not long after starting the game