Weak AI on most maps ? INFO needed !

[Bashem]

Im trying to get the most in SP, but the AI just doesnt cut it in small maps.
Only time its challenging (as in regular to moderate difficulty, the way it should be), is in Orania with plenty of Impossible AI (14+)and Indy 9.
But the games were way too long and at the end, it was all the same and micro. vs 6 nations at once is mind-boggling. And most of them get eliminated way too fast.
So i tried sundering with about 4 impossible AI and Indy.6 (Thought maybe it would allow them to expand a bit more). Mistake, by turn 20 they had 3 provinces max, i controlled about half the map, was highest in everything (even with Ulm and drain 3 was first at research). They still had militias and archers, poor income, poor everything. And i was really going easy, i know its easy with Ulm wo rush the AI with strong infantry, so i was building defences, temples, was researching a lot. Was giving them time damnit.
Tried Aran, Desert eye , all the same. AI was just mediocre and offered 0 challenge. I got Talis, but im keeping it for MP, 2vs2 will be fun.

So, question is, any way to play on relatively smaller maps vs 4-5 GOOD AI ? Maybe i should try the scenarios, haven't yet. Any thoughts , suggestions ?

And how about 1vs 1 comp. ? Maybe it just needs time to expand and research, then it starts to roll. Any info on AI appreciated

Thanks, Bashem.

[Bashem]

Forgot to say tho, GREAT GAME ! Fantastic really, its quite something.

[fahdiz]

The best AI in the game isn't AI at all...it's human players. Play multiplayer if you're feeling the need for more challenge.

[NTJedi]

Human players will provide the best challenge because the AI opponents in this game do not have different personalities... so you'll eventually master their behaviors. Hopefully in Dominions_3 the AI opponents will have random personalities assigned to them before the start of each game.

My suggestions if you can only do singleplayer:
1) Independent setting of 6
2) Large or X-Large Map(takes longer but worth it)
3) Set everyone with 3 starting provinces
4) Set all AI opponents for Impossible except maybe Ermor
5) Set the following as AI opponents:
a) ERMOR {the greatest threat in 95% of games}
b) R'yleh {pray he doesn't get a vastness}
c) Ulm {his dark knights are cruel}
d) Caelum {usually does air attacks far away}
e) Abysia {his summer lions don't play nice}
f} Jotun {They're giants... nothing else to say}


Last don't be making the game easier by giving them donations during the game. Take it as it comes.

And if you are really really brave follow the steps for making all these computer opponents allies which is found in a different topic:

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...;f=74;t=001470

[PvK]

I've had fairly hard games on crowded maps against the AI. Been beaten by the Tien Chi and Marignon AI's, when I didn't have much room to expand. I was stalemated against C'tis AI with Pangaea on my flank on the small (Aran?) map until I was saved by luck. I think a lot of the difficulty depends on things like:

luck
specific circumstances in the game situation
your settings
how competitively and aggressively you play
your nation design

PvK

[Pirateiam]

Hmmm. I am actuallly impressed with the AI in this game. My first game was on Aran and I just randomly picked AI's. By turn 50 Ermor had 1/3 of map, I had 1/3 of map and R'yleh had 1/3, the rest of AI's were eliminated. The battle stalemated, everytime I made ground against one the other would beat on me and vice a versa. I basically called it a stalemate. Try this if you want a challange - Ally Ermor and R'yleh on a medium/large map and hope for the best!

[SATANS PAWN]

I think the AI in D2 is the best AI I have ever seen in all past and present fantasy strategy games.

I just got the game a few weeks ago. I'm still playing on easy lvl. No, I dont suck, the AI is good. Depends on your settings, I guess.

Right now I'm on my third day of a great battle on Targas Kingdom of Karan map. I have to fight for every inch of land. This might be the best map (Kingdom of Karan)) of them all. I'm really enjoying this battle, and Targas Karan map.

>>>SATANS PAWN<<<

[ February 18, 2004, 14:07: Message edited by: SATANS PAWN ]

[General Tacticus]

Something that has been mentioned before : impossible AIs do relatively poorly on small maps, because they are trying to build for the long term (researching, site searching, ...) and will be rushed by a player who knows the map is too small for that time frame. he AIs are also slowed more than the player by high indy settings.

Playing on small map, you could try to set the AIs as allied, or give them a mix of difficulties (hoping for one or two to gobble the others and offer a challenge), and put indies to 5 or 6, no more.