From what I see in 40 game saves Britain is stuck in England and does not protect its ports and does not make many ships (how can it when its ports are destroyed turn after turn) so it cannot expand. How about a garrison of troops posted in all British ports with a good starting navy protecting them. On the other hand the story is different with 20 unit games-I have seen Britain invade Holland and Spain and France but not Northern Germany. I have seen them take over Spain by 1809. This is on Hard settings. Maybe on 40 unit game the AI cannot use 40 unit armies with ships? Trade nodes in 40 units games are not being use much by the AI-again better with 20 unit games. AI expansion in 40 unit games AI makes stacks but they just huddle around capitals-on 20 unit they attack other countries-more action with 20 units. On the spotting test I upped the spotting by 25 on light cav and skirmishers and the response on the battle field is better as they reacted to nearby enemy units by countering their moves so spot woods=75 scrub=150 long grass=200
these units are scouts. I think all units should have the hide in woods setting as it is better for surprise attacks help AI on battlefield. And on the Infantry vs CAV charges for better balance setting of 12 and CAV deceleration to 3 and knock backs to 0= 25 and knock downs 0 = 40 so they just do not stop right in front of infantry line and do some penetration and some knock down of units.