AI Warmongering Habits

[Landwalker]

I've hit upon this issue twice in the span of about 40 turns, and was wondering if anybody else had run across it. Basically, it seems that as long as you're at peace with everybody, the AI is content to leave you alone. However, as soon as you enter a state of war against one faction, all of them, regardless of whether or not they are bordering, allied to, or whatever that first faction, jump into the fray against you.

For example: As Aragon, I just joined a crusade against the excommunicated French. That very same turn, the Moors attacked the settlement I owned furthest from France. In fact, this is the second time this has happened (although in the first rendition, France declared war on me, and the same turn the Moors did the same).

Is this common practice, or sheer coincidence?

Cheers.

[Inhuman One]

Well they might think you are an easier target when you are already at war with someone.

[Frodo52]

I buy the AI's line of reasoning there. If I find myself wondering which direction to expand, I usually look to see who's involved in a major war and decide that's a good direction.

Along the same lines...

The AI (usually) doesn't seem to believe in 'Total War'. They seem happy to trash profitable trading agreements and a long history of peace just to blockade ports for a few years, then ignore you for another century.

Or they'll send a minor force to siege a minor town somewhere.

Then it escalates from there.

Why doesn't the AI choose to attack in force when it declares war?

[tup]

Yeah happened to me, too, not with my neighbours but under similar circumstances.
Which goes hand in hand with a point that bugged me in my major game:

Small factions tend to be more aggressive. As HRE, I took the opportunity of a crusade to declare war on Denmark and battled with them.
Shortly afterwards, I got attacked by Scotland who had at this time 3 provinces, with one in Norway under siege by Norway. The relations weren't that good, still I find it weird for a 3-province-faction to attack one with like 15.
After defeating Denmark, I still had a good relationship with my norwegian allies, got some nice tributes, bought Uppsala from them, only to get attacked 2 turns later. They had 4 provinces at that time, I had like 20.
After defeating Norway and some time after Scotland (annoying Pope and the AI's tendency to position multiple large stacks near their last settlement delayed that matter), I got attacked by Ireland. Relationship was bad, still, they were already at war with my English allies. Could be the very reason to declare war on me though. I had like 25-30 provines, they had 3.
After destroying 3-4 large armies and taking Dublin, my English allies turned on me. They had 6 provinces.
After defeating Englang and taking Galway, my Byzantine allies got pushed from the south by Egypt and from the west by France, with me helping them out by taking Iraklion and Rhodes and buying Venice from France, thus cutting off the french supply routes.. Enough reason for them to declare war on me, with me having... 45? provinces or so and them 10-12.

Sure, if I have the largest Empire it's natural getting attacked by smaller faction, still I wonder why it always happens that the AI attacks when being significantly weaker. If they'd strike some alliances to turn me it would be another point but as it was I constantly battled with 1-2 weak factions with them already on war with some other small faction.
I wonder if it would be possible to buff the AI so they battle other weak factions, becoming larger and attack when actually having a chance to win. Or striking some alliance consisting of 3-4 small factions to turn on you, or allying with the second or third largest power to turn on you, as it would make sense...

Another point is that the only time when the AI really pushes you or follows on a goal is during a crusade, or in that case, Jihad.

[y2day]

I wonder if it would be possible to buff the AI so they battle other weak factions, becoming larger and attack when actually having a chance to win. Or striking some alliance consisting of 3-4 small factions to turn on you, or allying with the second or third largest power to turn on you, as it would make sense...
Another point is that the only time when the AI really pushes you or follows on a goal is during a crusade, or in that case, Jihad.

Tup; I don't think boffing the AI would work.

Sounds like a qestion for Lusted.
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=135208
His new experimental AI is really good. I was playing a game as the French and was assaulted by crusade/ jihad like armies from spain and milian.
I started a new game (still have that save, because I will go back soon.)
just to try another stradegy and see if the AI is consistent. I actually think I could lose.
It's pretty cool.

[Henry X]

You know, I've noticed this myself and it happened as the Holy Roman Empire. Though the four factions that attacked me were on all sides and were in the top five in all categories. I placed first, except in military.

[Vasquez]

Folks you are reading far too much into it. Keep in mind this is not the information age. It is possible you are being attacked by a force whose orders are 6 months old or more. At least that's my "gamey" explanation.
Thing is, do we really want to decrypt and analyze the AI to the point where practically everything becomes predictable?

[xeryx]

Sure, if I have the largest Empire it's natural getting attacked by smaller faction, still I wonder why it always happens that the AI attacks when being significantly weaker. If they'd strike some alliances to turn me it would be another point but as it was I constantly battled with 1-2 weak factions with them already on war with some other small faction.
I wonder if it would be possible to buff the AI so they battle other weak factions, becoming larger and attack when actually having a chance to win. Or striking some alliance consisting of 3-4 small factions to turn on you, or allying with the second or third largest power to turn on you, as it would make sense...

Unfortunately, one of the commands..Alliance_against does not work properly. so this is making it, more difficult to get factions to "gang up on" another faction. There are other tricks that are used, and have helped. The alliance against command is the best way.