If I were CA one of the things I would adjust is keeping a bit better defense in their cities and castles. The two/three full stack rush against an inexperienced human player I'm sure is frustrating for those 12 year olds and teenagers. But, for me it's just a delaying action and just waiting till I can get that first attack stack out there without worry about my rear. The AI builds great, I'm amazed at all the buildings they have, but, they don't seem to build the units to support what they've built. Every long standing city/castle I've captured has yielded high value gold like that 71000 from taking Prague and I got more than half of that taking one of the Russian Castles. They build good infrastructure, but, don't protect it, thus for the experienced player its a landslide advantage for them when they capture one of these gold mines. You have to be willing to SACK it first and then sell off ALL the buildings. That's my torch and burn method of play. It works great as I don't really need the income from these provinces. I just need them out of the hands of the AI. I let them revolt even lol. I just take my army and continue marching onward until that AI is destroyed. Then I go back and take the provinces again and settle in.
All that money you get from sacking and selling you can build up your main infrastructure and churn out enough stacks to spread out your terror and still protect your homeland with another stack or two.
I still have enjoyed the getting there part. I wouldn't call it EASY by a long shot. I got some lucky wins in there as well as actions by the AI that allowed me to expand and grow without fear. There was a point I could have been in a bucket load of shlitz malt liquer if Scotland had of continued the war they declared instead of asking me to become a vassal. England also had its chances, but, it also backed out. She had a full stack in my territory for a long time 20, maybe 30 years just sitting there near my capital and major castle and never attacked, never did nothing, but, sit there for that many years. Then finally just recently she pulled it out, much to my satisfaction.
I think I'm going to start a Hungary game now. From the looks of its placement and being really totally surrounded that one should be more challenging.
In the future I can probably see a couple of house rules to put into effect. No accepting vassaling and no selling off captured buildings. Sacking is still allowed though.
perhaps even a couple of ironman rules, no accepting or asking for peace and no sacking cities/castles lol there goes my income that would be a tough one to play. I would say that vassaling has been the single best thing for me in this game as it gave me much time and freedom to build up my infrastructure. Of couse the well timed peace agreement sure helps as well.
