AI Diplomacy

[rogergargantua]

Hey guys,

Played this game some time ago. Still active on these boards but im currently ( again ) addicted to Medieval2:total war mod Stainless Steel.

I'm more willing to begin a new game in XGM but the thought of having constant full-stack attacks of the enemy makes me withdraw from it. I am not sure about the AI-behaviour in 5.9 since I played XGM 5.6. It sure was agressive AI opponents in 5.6 and it kinda exhausted me to fight all those battles ( i didnt do auto-resolve since CPU always messes it up somehow ).

Maybe an idea for the future is to give some factions a less agressive behaviour?

Im the kind of player who likes to build up their economy slowly and see whats going around. I also rememer that it was very hard to make peace treaties during the game. And if you had peace, the so-called same ally would backstab you in the round after it.

Perhaps any changes in 5.9 or maybe some changes I can do myself by altering some files?

I do miss XGM a lot, its the best mod for Rome Total War, no doubt. Even if I cant do any changes to this, I will play it nonetheless. Seeing some good old spartans in action is always a must-see.
But I just think that this mod needs to be tweaked a bit when it comes to AI. I know a lot of players like me who are easy at start, expanding their empire slowly by diplomacy.

Any thoughts or perhaps solutions for me on this matter?

[RedFox]

Well, you could always try out XGM - Diadochi, a submod for XGM, if you haven't already. It's slightly harder than XGM, but you don't face endless levy stacks.

[rogergargantua]

But in what way is it harder then?

And how does AI respond to diplomacy and peace treaties?

[LucretiusTC]

Any thoughts or perhaps solutions for me on this matter?

On some level you could use the option of force diplomacy to make reasonable contracts with those AI Factions, not for cheating easy money, but offering a ceasefire and trade rights after clear military victories. You could also capture the original capital of an AI Faction, but after that you could make a peace treaty and leave them a couple of regions as a buffer state against possible bigger enemies (e.g. Thrace comparing to Scythia).

Luc.

[RedFox]

The diplomacy part is pretty much hard-coded into the RTW engine, making it impossible to improve. Other than simple boosted influence bonuses, there's nothing different about it - all dependent on the difficulty setting of the Campaign map.

It's harder in the beginning, while being very much similar to XGM with not so ridiculously high upkeeps, but still a considerable amount. While the units the enemy recruits are often higher level, due to the rather unique way the barracks are set up. Though it still requires some tweaking. The other side is new units with different stats and melee battles last slightly longer, while ranged units have considerably less ammunition.

[Scutarii]

To stop the endless stacks, check reduced AI bonuses when installing. The diplo is hard-coded, as has been said, but force diplomacy really helps in that perspective.

Unfortunately, XGM is a mod that doesn't really allow for the player who likes to turtle at the beginning, as it is supposed to be challenging right from game start. A mod like RS would allow turtling for 15-20 years before facing serious opposition (actually I believe turtling is recommended). Expanding by diplomacy, however, is not an option in RTW.

[rogergargantua]

To stop the endless stacks, check reduced AI bonuses when installing. The diplo is hard-coded, as has been said, but force diplomacy really helps in that perspective.

Unfortunately, XGM is a mod that doesn't really allow for the player who likes to turtle at the beginning, as it is supposed to be challenging right from game start. A mod like RS would allow turtling for 15-20 years before facing serious opposition (actually I believe turtling is recommended). Expanding by diplomacy, however, is not an option in RTW.

Thanks for the replies, you all. Well, then I dont have an option but to kick their a$$es, rite?

[Stilgar CG]

There is also The alternate gameplay submod by Zarax. But it is not only about slowing the game down. I think, a combination of reduced AI bonuses, forced diplomacy, and use of buffer states will allow you to slow the game down. Then, with certain factions it is easier to go slow (after initial expansion, of course). Iberia, Germania, Carthage (if you leave Sicily and build a good fleet), Scythia , Saba, Ptolemies, just to mention a few.