AI should emphasize on building forts in capital

[delpiero1234]

I have been observing that the AI does not build good forts in its capital province. This makes sacking the capital very easy. Often provinces right next to the capital have a much stronger fort than the capital itself. Theese observations are from mid and late game in 1.13 beta.This AI pattern is observable in small HRE nations as well as in large realms.
Often the capital has no fort at all besides the really weak capital fort. The AI seems to preferrer to build other buildings in its capital instead and even if there is a building slot available then it does not build a fort in the capital.

 

[Nebnitan]

to be fair if the enemy is at your capital a better fort isnt going to help much

 

[jacobsighs]

I think it's a good idea. If your army has been shattered and your capital is under siege, the time your capital can hold out may affect whether or not you can save it by raising mercenaries or getting help from a far-off ally.

 

[alpaca]

Makes no sense. An additional fort in the capital is always the first thing I delete because it's strategically almost useless. The capital fort itself is enough to slow your enemy down for a month or two, to allow your armies to repel them. Adding additional fort levels to prolong the siege is stupid. Besides, building a fort in a neighboring province or two may completely deny access to the capital until the fort is sieged. The only time it makes sense is if the ZoC is of more use than when you build a fort in a neighboring province.

 

[Zelius]

Makes no sense. An additional fort in the capital is always the first thing I delete because it's strategically almost useless. The capital fort itself is enough to slow your enemy down for a month or two, to allow your armies to repel them. Adding additional fort levels to prolong the siege is stupid. Besides, building a fort in a neighboring province or two may completely deny access to the capital until the fort is sieged. The only time it makes sense is if the ZoC is of more use than when you build a fort in a neighboring province.

No, the AI needs that capital fort. By the mid-game small nations will inevitably become Tall and have many forts, if they survive (looking at you, Livonian Order). But they will often neglect to have a fort on their capital, even with level 3/4 forts on half their provinces.

Enemy moves army onto capital with siege pips -> 35% surrender chance -> instantly occupied capital. Loses some prestige and poof 5 war enthusiasm -> instant peace out.

If they're going to build forts in the general area, I'd like it if they built one on the capital province. Besides, you get a free +1 fort level to that fort.