AI not very smart with retinues is it?

[Beagá]

So, I´ve noticed that the AI always rushes to get a retinue ASAP, which wouldn´t be bad if that often makes it choose the least optimal retinue option. Several examples of this, but the most obvious: ERE retinues. For those who play greeks, it´s pretty clear they have a very potent cultural retinue (300 heavy cavalry, 200 horse archers) that is certainly worth saving slots to get (not only because the units themselves are great, but also because the cultural bonus is awesome too).

Now, what they AI does? Spam those 100 heavy infantry and 400 archers retinues. What happens when said retinue is engaged by one of your cataphract retinues? Hint, it´s not pretty.

So:

1- Should the AI be forced to only build its cultural retinue? Wouldn´t unbalance anything IMO. Pretty much the opposite, it would make the AI a tougher cookie to crack.
2- How do I mod the game so that each culture will only build its cultural retinue?

 

[ASPGolan]

If there's one thing I learned is that the AI shouldn't be forced to do anything.

One thing I noticed about these games is that the AI is always really BAD. And in certain areas is downright crappy. I would expect this from Total War titles, but not from Pdox... (mostly I'm disappointed that it's not very contextual, including your example, and stuff from history files don't end up in gameplay; i.e. start in 1066 no Bourbons, no Habsburgs and Fatimids still in Egypt by 1400). However, as bad as it is, the tuning is such that it leads to enjoyable gameplay and nice outcomes for common playthroughs. Which is impressive. Of course whenever they tried implementing stuff the community suggested and the developers didn't think of yet, it lead to even more "surprises" (not of the fun kind). I kind of understand them... all these suggestions need to be added one by one and their effect most be considered and tested by humans in order to assess its viability.

If I were them, I would use the success of CK2 as a hint and impulse to work harder on an improved AI for future games (among other things). It would be nice, for example, if humans can customize the seed for the random decisions of the AI players - so people can fine tune stuff like the one that your saying.

-> thus, I doubt forcing is a good thing (in your case it might a thing of game balance why the AI choose weaker retinues... - the ERE has some pretty big army it can raise).

I would also want to know the answer to the second question...

 

[Saniala]

Would it work if you just removed the four basic retinue types so all that's left are the cultural ones?

 

[Beagá]

Hm something to think about. Would probably require starting a new game however.

Did anyone try to edit AI behavior towards retinues?