AI update question

[itsamouthful]

Are there still AI mods to download to improve single player or are those added into the newest official patch? Is there somewhere I can find the most updated ones if so?

[Yaab]

Let's say you want to play stock scen002.

Go to the SCEN folder. In the folder you should see scen002 ai files. Look at their dates. Some are new (2022), but most scen variants are old (2010). Thus, you don't need to download any additional files.

If you want to be 100% sure you get the AI script from year 2022 when starting scen002, just delete the ai files dated 2010 (or copy them somewhere).

[JanSako]

IIRC these are chosen & then locked in at game start. So there is nothing you can do with the scripts after you started your scen.
The game will pick one of those it uses 'at random'.

[PaxMondo]

Both answers are correct, but let me tie them together.

The "older" AI files with different numbers are variants. If you delete them, then your replay games will tend to be the same. The variants allow the AI to try different strategies against you. Not necessarily better, but it prevents the player from anticipating the AI moves.

The odds of which file is chosen are NOT equal. The 001 file is chosen at least 30% of the time, maybe as high as 50%. Then the other files are chosen in a descending percentage based upon how many there are. We haven't been told the exact percentages, but the 012 file is selected VERY rarely.

There are no mods to these files as Andy Mac is the only person who has really mastered this skill. I can tell you from personal experience that working with these files takes a lot of patience and you need to be an extremely adept modder. High Excel skill and full knowledge of the csv files is also needed. Then, you need to be a good strategist and understand the mechanics of how strategies are implemented in the game. Finally, Andy Mac has figured out how to do certain things by trial and error; you need to be able to duplicate those. IOW:

ALL HAIL the ANDY MAC!!!!!!