Is it normal AI behavior?

[Cruelsader]

Also typical and normal AI behaviour in RTW. This game is not noted for it's battle AI which has been proven to be worse that the previous two games. There is no doubt that tactical battles in STW and MTW were superior in almost every respect.

Sad news. I knew that RTW is primarily about 3D graphics and new strategy map and did not expect much improvement from battlefield AI. Nonetheless, it comes as an unpleasant suprise that CA failed to keep the previous standard.

The campaign is easy enough to start with but all the micromanagement tends to get a little overhwhelming once you're past the Marian reforms and have conquered a larger area and have conquered Rome and wiped out the SPQR. I usually give up at this point because it usually involves taking on massive Brutii or Scipii stacks in numerous rather large and dull battles.

I see. I finished the Julii short campaign: it was rather boring in the end despite the fact that it was my first game. I had plenty of cash, so all I did was sending armies toward fronts and auto resolve, except when the stacks were very large. When I commanded the armies on the field, it was ridiculously easy: often I was able to destroy the enemy with 1:20 losses - and these were not bridge/ford battles! However, I guess I understand what you mean by micromanagement. My greatest worry in the end was not the enemy but my own cities. I had to micromanage constantly to keep them happy.

There is worse. Sieges can be tedious. One of the major issues is where the AI is sieging you and sends it's units into the city piecemeal to be systematically destroyed. Once they're all dead the general continues to camp outside the walls. His lack of involvement keeps him safe, but ruins his army's chances of taking the city.

By piecemeal do you mean that AI only attacks from one side? I have had only one siege battle where I was a sort of defender. Well, I was an attacker but since the AI had a small garrison and lot of reinforcements it turned out I had to defend the settlement after taking it. Taking it was very easy because the AI pulled most of its garrison out of the plaza to join the attacking force