What is the deal with the AI controlled nations military?

[T-ravis2011]

Before I start I want to make clear that I do like the game enjoy playing it. I am merely pointing out some flaws. So here goes.

How come, for example, the Achaean League or Epirus and other single territory nations can raise and maintain armies of 17,000 or more? Yet usually nations with multiple territories, like Macedonia which starts with 4 territories can only have 12,000 whether AI or player controlled. Not only can they raise and maintain these massive armies but they still somehow make money, sometimes more than I do. Also, I realize that slaves are tax generators and that helps the AI nations make a lot of their money but only because for some reason it seems as though they have a lot of slaves.
Probably the biggest military flaw in the whole game is the fact that the computer doesn't seem to like holding regular armies. Instead they tend to mass up 14 or so separate units in one territory and only one unit will have a general. Also, it seems to me that usually only when they invade your territory that they combine their forces into one army. I have witnessed several times where one AI controlled military attacks another and just sends in 1-3 units at a time against a vastly superior force. But then, when I fight an AI controlled military they mass large armies under a general and attack me.
And I would like to ask about one diplomatic feature that I don't understand. How come I can usually only ally myself with one or two nations before it becomes "Impossible" for me to ally myself with any other nation whatsoever? Even when I am trying to ally myself with my ally's ally and the diplomatic standing is +180 or more. I don't know whether this is another game flaw or what it is. I just want to better understand some of these things which currently make no sense.

 

[Cheexsta]

Welcome to the forums

How come, for example, the Achaean League or Epirus and other single territory nations can raise and maintain armies of 17,000 or more? Yet usually nations with multiple territories, like Macedonia which starts with 4 territories can only have 12,000 whether AI or player controlled. Not only can they raise and maintain these massive armies but they still somehow make money, sometimes more than I do. Also, I realize that slaves are tax generators and that helps the AI nations make a lot of their money but only because for some reason it seems as though they have a lot of slaves.

Because states like the Achaean and Aetolian Leagues represent confederations of a couple dozen poleis each. Macedonia, on the other hand, had been severely depleted of its manpower following the wars of the Diadochi (and the extensive migration of Macedonians to the east), and this is reflected in the game with the two Leagues having much higher population numbers. Because they have higher population numbers, they're able to support a larger army and have a stronger manpower pool.

They are rather disadvantaged in that they don't all have immediate access to iron for heavy infantry, so while they might have a large army, Macedonia's abundance of iron will make the latter's army far stronger. If you want to attack them, make sure you do it while the Leagues have no access to iron.

Probably the biggest military flaw in the whole game is the fact that the computer doesn't seem to like holding regular armies. Instead they tend to mass up 14 or so separate units in one territory and only one unit will have a general. Also, it seems to me that usually only when they invade your territory that they combine their forces into one army. I have witnessed several times where one AI controlled military attacks another and just sends in 1-3 units at a time against a vastly superior force. But then, when I fight an AI controlled military they mass large armies under a general and attack me.

I've noticed it do this sometimes as well, but normally it's not so bad.

And I would like to ask about one diplomatic feature that I don't understand. How come I can usually only ally myself with one or two nations before it becomes "Impossible" for me to ally myself with any other nation whatsoever? Even when I am trying to ally myself with my ally's ally and the diplomatic standing is +180 or more. I don't know whether this is another game flaw or what it is. I just want to better understand some of these things which currently make no sense.

The AI doesn't like accepting alliances when either country is part of a large alliance. I imagine this is more of a balance feature than anything.

Other things that affect the AI's choices include:
- Your Infamy level. Having a high amont of infamy makes the AI less likely to agree to things.
- The Charisma characteristic of the envoy you're sending, though the game automatically assigns the character with the highest value when you send them. The traits of your envoy may affect things, too.
- The relative strength of your empire and theirs. If you're both powerful, the AI tends to be less likely to accept your offer of alliance. If they feel more powerful than you, they seem more likely to accept but once you become too strong they'll break off the alliance. If you're significantly more powerful than they are, they are quite likely to accept, especially if you share a common border.
- Vassals. Countries paying tribute and who have positive relations are almost guaranteed to accept.
- Culture. I don't know for sure, but I suspect that culture differences may affect the likelihood of an alliance.

Hopefully that helps