1861 Campaign vs Union Expert AI Ver. 1.02

[Patrat]

First let me say that the Union AI has much improved its blockade efforts. It no longer wastes valuable ships futilely bombarding my land units and it blockaded many more of my MPPs than before.

However now it futilely bombards my naval units in ports, wasting valuable ships and taking losses for very little return. These ships could be put to much better use blockading. Also, the ships insist on attacking my forts, which is fine. Except that they attack with only one ship a turn. If they would just use more than one ship, they would have taken out my forts pretty quickly. But since they only attack with one ship a turn, I'm able to reinforce my forts.

As far as the Union land forces go, the AI is IMO still committing to many forces west of the Mississippi. I took Washington, while it had 2 corps and 7 divisions mucking about in Missouri against my handful of brigades and Indians.

The Union AI lasted until April 1864, which is the longest game I've had yet. So, it has improved from the last version. But when the game ended, I saw the AI had 2500 MPPS in the bank, and 4 unbuilt corps. It could have used those corps to either save or retake Washington. It didn't just unlock those corps, I checked. They had been unbuilt for quite a while, despite the Union having MPPs to build them.

In a nutshell, it's my opinion, that if you can stop the AI from wasting ships bombarding naval units in ports. And have it concentrate even more on the blockade, along with its land units concentrating more on Washington as opposed to Missouri, you will have an Ai, that at expert level at least, will give a player a real challenge.


All the above is meant as constructive criticism. I think you have created an excellent and fun game and I really enjoy playing it.

[BillRunacre]

Thanks, it's great to see that it's much improved from your original games in beta, and where you think it still needs improvement. That's very useful Pat.

[Patrat]

Oh I forgot to mention that I noticed that often the AI would seem to be blockading inactive supply lines with several ships.

[stormbringer3]

Something to possibly look at in my opinion, is that the AI attacks a lot when it shouldn't.