AI Bonuses

[MarshallEllis]

ORIGINAL: easterner

Marshall, can't you find something better to do than cloud the issue with FACTS! [:)]

Yes, Sp indeed daunts invasion. But she needs do better scooping up Africa and snagging up loose Italians. In one game I played I nearly fell over dead when a Sp amphib took Genoa, though it would have been cheaper walking in from Pama. Need more of that.

LOL!
I cannot argue with you here Easterner! Your point is well taken! I may have to make her take some higher risk options. The AI is not taking advantage of conqeured minors as bases very well either.

Curious, does anybody here actually like playing Spain? If so then why and how?

[easterner]

In 1793 Spain isn't bad, still has strong European presence.

In 1805 Spain's job is to be someone's toady and that is not fun. Even more depressing pbem eliminated the Deguello http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=DE&hl=de&v=cIh_J8CB_x4
So you can't put GARR to the sword the old way.

A couple of versions ago I played as Spain, conquered 1/2 of Europe and lost ignobly from A.I. VP bonus, but getting there was a blast. But in face to face you danced too much to other player's tunes.

So outside of 1793 NO FUN.

[MarshallEllis]

I must agree that my AI bonuses were a little elevated
 

[j-s]

ORIGINAL: Marshall Ellis

I must agree that my AI bonuses were a little elevated

Please, remove all AI bonuses to money or VP. They make this game unplayable, becouse you can't win no matter what you do (AI just collets VP:t whitout doing anything). I hope that we can see more clever AI. That should be best way to move on.

And Marshall, please do not add any more "new ideas" like if you beat a major power they will lose their additional VP:s ect. Just keep it simple and as close as in original game.

[pzgndr]

There are AI bonus changes already implemented for v1.06. Maybe we should wait to see how they work out.

Please, remove all AI bonuses to money or VP. They make this game unplayable, becouse you can't win no matter what you do (AI just collets VP:t whitout doing anything).

At default settings, there are no bonuses. The issue is how to make the AI tougher at higher difficulty. There should be a synergy between VP adjustments that should make the AI "hungry" for action, and some bonus money and/or PP to help sustain more aggressive AI behavior. The AI needs to be tough, not unbeatable. Maybe there should be some additional adjustments to reduce bonuses when the AI is ahead and increase them when the AI is lagging behind? Just not sure what to propose to help make all that happen.

It's probably more important to get the AI to stop making stupid errors and start making better operational and strategic choices. Again, there are several AI enhancements in v1.06 we need to see and then consider what to do next.

[iamspamus]

ORIGINAL: Marshall Ellis

Easterner:

I think you will see some strategy improvement in 1.06. I have trained it to build longer supply chains deeper into their enemies. Wars with Spain do not seem to happen too much because of a few items (I even remember this in older board games). First, she rarely has enough money to take her fleets out of port for very long thus preventing numerous amphib ops. Second, nobody else is setup good enough to invade Spain. Granted France could BUT a prudent French player (someone who learned from the actual history) would never try this while at war with Pr, Au or Ru. And lastly, those pesky guerillas can really drag out an invasion attempt! I guess my point is that Spain is simply in a boring position (Even the board game was like this). The only thing of value that she has is her fleet. I only say this becuase you're right! Spain plays the sitzkreig quite well.
Thanks for the feedback!

ME, for the highlighted part, this is and isn't true. As pretty much anyone, but England, I never am out over an econ phase. I invade in Jan, Apr, Jul, or Oct. That gives me two months of sea supply before my navy is going home. If I MUST HAVE sea supply, then my minor allied fleet (and I usually have one of those) is the one providing supply. If I don't have one of those, odds are I'm not invading anyway.

[iamspamus]

Huh, I disagree. After Russia, Spain is the country I like to play most. I don't consider it being a toady, I consider it alternately blackmailing, conjoling and begging BOTH England and France. I get the French to build my ships and the English to build my cav. They usually do it for a while, as I gravitate one way or the other. (Actually, it's usually france who's more accomodating.)

Then the trick is walking the tightrope of taking countries, without stripping Spain (thus tempting France) or leaving the navy vulnerable (thus tempting England). So, I like playing Spain.

ORIGINAL: easterner

In 1793 Spain isn't bad, still has strong European presence.

In 1805 Spain's job is to be someone's toady and that is not fun. Even more depressing pbem eliminated the Deguello http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=DE&hl=de&v=cIh_J8CB_x4
So you can't put GARR to the sword the old way.

A couple of versions ago I played as Spain, conquered 1/2 of Europe and lost ignobly from A.I. VP bonus, but getting there was a blast. But in face to face you danced too much to other player's tunes.

So outside of 1793 NO FUN.

[obsidiandrag]

I have to agree with iamspamus here, Spain has always been my favorite (maybe because I like the challange, I always like the underdog, or it was the first country I played in the board game).  I like the challange of not ticking off France or England but using them as a cushion so no one else can touch you.. (by land or sea).  Then be sneaky (or not) and take the ottoman, naples and whatever else is potentially unguarded in the med (even denmark and sweeden for the daring).  You do not have the large numbers or high morale but you have a decent leader and decent troops when it comes to kicking on Turkey to take stuff, you have more ships and purchasing power.  So, I guess in all I like the challange and the safety net of being able to survive (quite well actually) on 7VP per econ phase.