Specifically, on the strategic level. I played mods with Lusted (ss5.), and I've been playing PDER with XAI. There are things i liked and disliked about both, but haven't been able to play enough to make a good judgement before starting a new campaign this weekend.

I will say the AI seems too passive with XAI. As the Turks, at war with the Byz, they have never launched an attack, and my city near them is undefended, while there cities are full of units.

Another thing that bugs me is that the Crusading armies never attack me once the crusade is over, while on there way home. I believe they used to do this.

On the positive side of XAI, the Armenians launched an attack against me which was almost as strong as a human would have - three seperate armies sieging three seperate cities, all on the same turn. I was close to being crushed. It was impressive, if some of the other issues can be reworked a bit.