A Suggestion with AI coding with Annexation Missions

[Atlanteax]

Okay, this may be too late to do for EU3, but hopefully we can ensure this is in-place for EU4.

Regarding AI handling of annexation missions:

1) Is there any way to code the Poland AI to only annex Mazovia when it has the Mazovia mission? It seems like an utter waste for the AI to miss out on the free cores by annexing it while another mission is active (perhaps attempt to cancel mission to see if it gets the annexation one?).

2) France being the prime example #2. France will constantly have the "Annex Orleans" mission, but is always annexing other vassals instead. Is there any way to try to get the AI to annex the vassal it has the mission to annex before annexing at random?

 

[DreadLindwyrm]

Well, the mission to annex something isn't bound to fire at all. It might be better to annex it now, and acquire the core later, as it stops the minor you want to annex allying elsewhere and then joining a war and causing you problems. It might be valuable to take it as even without a core the province may be low revolt risk (same culture/same religion). You might even already have a core on it (border disputes if the minor has had two provinces, or other events).

The Annex Vassal missions are always hit and miss, since the minors will often refuse, and in any case need high relations to allow it. I'd assume there is a weighting in the AI towards annexing the mission target with this mission, but it won't necessarily override the situation "on the board" as it were.

 

[grommile]

Well, the mission to annex something isn't bound to fire at all.

Poland's mission to diploannex Mazovia is pretty much certain to fire sooner rather than later, since it has the customary sky-high weighting of a nation-specific mission.

 

[DreadLindwyrm]

Fair enough. I've not seen it turn up much, but then an independent Mazovia doesn't tend to last if I'm in the region.

 

[Chamboozer]

At least Paradox should teach the AI not to annex unconnected landlocked vassals. Too often I've seen the AI do this only to lose the territory to revolts.

 

[Alerias]

Missions as we know them were indeed tackled on without ideal AI coding following up.

The AI can generally manage to pursue the mission's goal, but better priorities when it comes to AI missions is a given on the WANT list. As things now stand, the AI cannot use missions anywhere close compared to the player. Its a great concept but it could use better mechanics.