Could the AI be more agressive?

[Ratters]

Hi Everyone,

First time poster, long time lurker from Oz.

Anyway, great game so far, having a blast. But one thing I have noticed since playing as the CSA is that the Union really seems too passive and is not eager to a) make attacks into CSA (both west and east and b) is not responding to my deep raids into union states. Its almost like Little Mac is at the head of each army and corp. I am at the start of 63 and have been able to dictate terms across all states. Im playing on normal level but giving the AI extra FOW bonuses.

My question is, does anyone else find this to be the case? I dont mean to dis the game as I think it is a gem, just that it can be even better.

cheers,

Ratters

[Doomwalker]

I noticed this in the version 1.0, but since the 1.01 patches started coming out I have noticed that the Union is much more aggressive.

Most of my games now start and within two turns the Union is in Kentucky and Missouri. This is not even nice because I don't get to build any units until after they have already started their invasion.

I have been able to get a militia in Rolla before they captured it from me, but this is just a minor delay as they will assualt it next turn.

I have had several turns where I would get a new unit announcement, just to find out that he was killed that very turn. So basically I spent the money for the unit for nothing. I definitely think this part needs to be fixed. I do not feel that a unit should be killed before the units icon even shows on the map.

Anyways, I think that the AI is about on par with what it should be now. I would still like the new units that I have bought, to be able to recognize that the unit standing in the nextdoor province will be in their province the next turn. This would definitely save me the frustration of spending the money for them and never even getting to see them deploy.

[jhdeerslayer]

Hi Everyone,

First time poster, long time lurker from Oz.

Anyway, great game so far, having a blast. But one thing I have noticed since playing as the CSA is that the Union really seems too passive and is not eager to a) make attacks into CSA (both west and east and b) is not responding to my deep raids into union states. Its almost like Little Mac is at the head of each army and corp. I am at the start of 63 and have been able to dictate terms across all states. Im playing on normal level but giving the AI extra FOW bonuses.

My question is, does anyone else find this to be the case? I dont mean to dis the game as I think it is a gem, just that it can be even better.

cheers,

Ratters

Yes I have seen the same thing. Turn up the Aggression setting and wait for some AI tweaks in process.

[Adlertag]

True , Pocus is currently working on improving AI.
If you can't wait too long ou can change the setting "fog of war" and let the AI see with a better view than you.
It's currently the best setting to change if you want a little boost to the AI.

[McNaughton]

I can second the reducing of Fog of War penalties for the AI. Since doing that, starting in June 1861 I have been under constant pressure on all fronts by the Confederates as the Union. They always seem to escape when I bring strong forces to bear on their corps as well! Can't wait for more AI refinement to make it even more of a challenge!

[el_Gato]

Hi Everyone,

First time poster, long time lurker from Oz.

Anyway, great game so far, having a blast. But one thing I have noticed since playing as the CSA is that the Union really seems too passive and is not eager to a) make attacks into CSA (both west and east and b) is not responding to my deep raids into union states. Its almost like Little Mac is at the head of each army and corp. I am at the start of 63 and have been able to dictate terms across all states. Im playing on normal level but giving the AI extra FOW bonuses.

My question is, does anyone else find this to be the case? I dont mean to dis the game as I think it is a gem, just that it can be even better.

cheers,

Ratters

Same here.

Playing the 1861 campagin as the CSA, I've had very little problem from the Yanks. The sharks are circling, but they rarely bite. My biggest headache is from the occassional cavalry raid. The major Union armies seem content to stay on their side of the Potomac and Ohio rivers.

[Doomwalker]

OK, I see it now. Started a new game and the Union moved most of its units into 3 stacks, then just sat there. I moved into Missouri and Kentucky without too much trouble. The AI will move the 3 big stacks (no divisions or corps) in reaction to my large armies, but never use them for an offensive. I will try the FOW change and see if that helps.

[Ratters]

Thanks deerslayer,

I forgot all about the agreesion level choice when you start a game.

I'll just have to start again. Not that I mind. Bring it on I say.

[Huo long]

If you change the agression level, or the fow level now it will afect your current campaing.

No need to restart the campaing if you can live with what has happened.

[Jacek]

Part of Union AI ineptness may be its poor generalship. They must suffer from inactive generals quite often. In my game I have seen intermittent action from lousy Union generals and constant action from their best ones. So in my opinion it must be inactivation that makes them so passive.

[richfed]

I just had Grant completely manhandle Polk in Kentucky/Tennessee. He was very aggressive. Settings on normal. It must be a General thing!

[Adam the VIth]

I've actually almost won now (siege of washington in progress, whole coast held (or retaken)) DUE to the AI being overly aggressive in the East.....AOP tried to cut my left flank in the Shenandoah, and I staved it off and ended up with them trapped behind my lines as winter came on. Needless to say, it did take me two months to mop up, but now there was nothing to stop me in Washington.

Pocus once said that the AI will not do anything that you would not (meaning senseless attacks across rivers and against superior forces). I've found that this is true....so it makes sense that giving them the FOW bonus will allow them to be more aggressive when they see a favorable opportunity....right now, on normal setting of FOW, they can't "see it."

I'm going to play as USA on tough settings and give the CSA a bunch of bonuses.....result may not be as rosy!

[Jacek]

I give AI a small FOW bonus, but quite frankly I don't know what that means exactly. Does AI see deeper into your territory? See units in greater detail? From my observation, with small FOW bonus AI tends to gamble more but isn't overconfident. Makes for an interesting gameplay.