Questions about upgrades

[Grand_Armee]

I notice in every game I play that many nations don't upgrade their forces often. France and whoever I am playing reach the high double-digits while most countries never seem to get above level 7. Do others notice this trait?

Turkey, I've noticed is always wasting it's money on walls. Others seem to put their effort into roads...or other things that won't really improve them much. Is there any way to get them more competetive in this area. BTW...if it takes programming smarts just tell me "no". LOL

In any event, despite the improvements that France has, it always seems to end up doing poorly...surrendering to Britain, and shamefully Spain...and eventually everyone else. It gets so bad that I end up doing all I can to support le Francais...no matter who I am. I even make war on those who've taken French provinces, force them to cede em to me, then give em to France as soon as they've turned my color.

[Ralegh]

Thats not a question - its a recommendation. And I agree - especially at higher levels of difficulty, the AI should priotise developments that lead to upgrades.

On your views about France: (a) I assume you are starting in 1792 or 1796 - you shouldn't see that in 1805. (b) If you "always" want to boost France, start them with a positive power setting - I am often "handicapping" myself a little, and boosting some particular AI country in a game.

[Grand_Armee]

ORIGINAL: Ralegh

On your views about France: (a) I assume you are starting in 1792 or 1796 - you shouldn't see that in 1805. (b) If you "always" want to boost France, start them with a positive power setting - I am often "handicapping" myself a little, and boosting some particular AI country in a game.

Ok...guilty as charged. But I was asking for group opinion. Yes, I usually play 1792 or 1796 because I don't always want to start out at war, and I feel that everyone is more or less level at that point.

I never considered hampering or boostging some countries. How smart am I? Doh! Think I'll try that in my next game. I'm a bit slow now after burning hour after hour with this game because I'm waiting on the patch. Maybe a less desecratable France will keep me busy till 1.2 arrives.

Cheers!