Is the Single Player AI Reasonable now?

[anthonykevinluke]

Hi,

Just wondering if the single player version is worth playing as I gave up on this a few years ago as the AI was so bad. Particularly in not massing it's armies and having single corps of 1 or 2 factors wandering around .... I know multi player is the best as with the old board game but was hoping single player was improved based on patches and time! Your thoughts would be appreciated. We need a good Napoleonic game after the miserable failure of AGEOD's promising Wars of Napoleon Old Crown of Glory still seems the best of a mediocre bunch.

Courage,

AKL

[pzgndr]

"Reasonable" would be a good description now. Let's review what's changed since the v1.08.07 official release several years ago:

Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars - 1.22.02
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- 0000152: [AI Enhancement] AI vs. AI combat now trivial / change to chits assigned – resolved.

Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars - 1.22.01
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- 0000166: [AI Enhancement] AI doesn't defend its navy in port - resolved?
- 0000829: [AI Enhancement] AI never attempts to reinforce - resolved?
- 0000830: [AI Enhancement] AI never commits guard – resolved.
- 0000850: [AI Bug] Battle crash when selecting units to lose - closed, could not reproduce.

Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars - 1.21.04
=============================================
- AI Enhancement to restrict risky British and Russian amphib invasions into France and Holland prior to 1813 - resolved.

Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars - 1.21.03
=============================================
- Resolved several issues with AI builds, reinforcements and placing new corps units.

Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars - 1.21.02
=============================================
- 0000819: [AI Enhancement] AI Garrisons - resolved.
- 0000827: [AI Enhancement] AI Builds for free states - resolved.
- 0000828: [AI Enhancement] AI never fights a second day of combat - resolved.

Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars - 1.21.01
=============================================
- 0000781: [AI Bug] French corps at Paris chose withdraw (which should not have happened) – resolved.
- 0000818: [AI Enhancement] AI Bonuses - resolved.
- 0000820: [AI Enhancement] AI DOWs on Minor Countries – resolved.
- 0000821: [AI Enhancement] AI Builds and Money for Supply – resolved.
- 0000824: [AI Enhancement] AI Ship Building – resolved.

Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars - 1.21.00 (03/01/14)
=============================================
- Fixed issue with AI surrender calculations. It was improperly evaluating forces on map versus enemy forces when trying to decide to sue for peace. Bottom line is that the AI will probably surrender a little earlier to save their forces. – resolved.

Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars - 1.09.00
=============================================
- 0000760: [Game Bug] AI Taking ALL cav losses on break for that round (marshall) - resolved.
- 0000662: [AI Bug] AI too generous giving away minors (marshall) - resolved.

So, the computer opponent has improved over the years. It's a bit less stupid, a bit more competent, but not quite brilliant yet. Something else I've added is a modest AI bonus to the Natural Alliance Table values for increased difficulty levels; so, where nations are naturally friendly/hostile, they are a bit moreso at medium and hard levels. Overall you should find single player more challenging than it used to be.

A couple of items listed above are marked "resolved?" because I've done something but I'm still evaluating effectiveness. For example, I've seen the AI commit guard and fight another day, but I have not seen a case where the AI reinforces itself. Player feedback is welcome!

I did also make some adjustments to reduce single corps, particularly guard and artillery without support. But the biggest improvements? Getting the AI to build minors and ships, getting the AI to use chit combat and make improved chit selections, and getting the AI to make fewer frivolous DOWs and lapses of war. Again, overall it's better now.

My current effort is getting the 1812 campaign going. I've had to make several code changes to allow French and French minor setups in Poland and forced access areas of Prussia. I still have one more issue to tackle. What I hope to gain with this is to make further AI improvements for allied operations, getting the AI to cooperate better with its human and AI allies. 1812 provides a good situation for evaluating French/Austrian/Prussian alliances and British/Spanish alliances. So we'll see. [8D]

[gwgardner]

Just wondering if other players who have tried this game single player could chime in with their opinions. Same general question as the OP.

[Daniel Amieiro]

I'm used to try the single AI player and i have seen it has improved.

But....

Empires in Arms depends a lot on what country you choose AND initial deployment.

I have found that if i play France in 1805, depending on deployment i could sure Crush Prussia, get and inconditional and then a sugar game... Nations deploy only seeing themselves and not their allies, which is a must. With other countries it's not as easy. Even worse, because if you play Prussia or Austria, you can get a very erratic behaviour for Austria or Prusia, even as allies.

On the other hand, Brits do kamikaze attacks to french corps if English channel option is activated. And defend badly their ports or do not go badly for Denmark or even, defend badly and let France a fleet to go for north england, deploy a corp, and then crush all inside britain...

If you play Brits, it's very easy to crush enemies fleets and have a good collection of minors .

Diplomatic are a bit stupid. Taking some vital minors from allies are sometimes too easy.

Well, it's my opinion.
I have fun playing vs AI. But i think AI should have more an "agenda" than AI...