AI Deployable Defenses - anyone seen the AI actually use them?

[DyerWolf]

Here's the situation: I'm attacking the AI & at the end of the deployment phase I see the enemy army arrayed behind a variety of defensive positions (Chevaux de Frise, etc.). Almost immediately the AI moves its troops to completely different positions on the map - thereby abandoning all the defensive gear they set up.

I saw this first when I modded the demo & thought the Demo AI wasn't complete - but I've seen it happen again in several battles now that I have the full version.

The last one had the Brits establish a truly impressive looking defense - which they advanced away from (putting the defensive gear at their backs) - which turned out to be a bad move - especially when they set off their command detonated minefield while they were standing on it, killing many of their own troops!

So the question - anyone else seen this - or better yet - anyone seen the AI actually use its defensive positions?

[God-Emperor of Mankind]

Seen it use it's cannon cover and used it well.
Haven't seen it use any other type of cover.

[Space Wolves]

only cannon cover, however, even then, they usually deploy it the wrong way lol

[Nickpes21]

only cannon cover, however, even then, they usually deploy it the wrong way lol

same on me

[Alkarin]

just a sec ago i was fighting for the capital of the Rhineland. and they spammed the anti cav emplacement where they deployed but then foolishly ran away the second the game started lol

esp since i had no cav but my general

[Mikelus Trento]

just a sec ago i was fighting for the capital of the Rhineland. and they spammed the anti cav emplacement where they deployed but then foolishly ran away the second the game started lol

esp since i had no cav but my general

Perhaps that's why the left from behind them.

[Legion 88]

Seen cannon cover and spikes cept the spike generally are put at the back as if to deter my cavalry from a rear attack, i just hit the flanks instead

[nostradamouse]

I,ve seen them using the large anti horse thingies... They moved away from it, but after the first wave, they retreated back to it.

[EmperorJulian]

I too have seen the AI deploy defenses, then move about three football fields away from them, leaving their artillery to be slaughtered. I have no idea why the AI does it, but it seems to be omniscient when it comes to player decisions so it might be reacting to the players movements instantaneously, and forgetting that it has a strongly defended position ready at hand. The AI is anything if not mostly clueless, but perhaps there's more to it than just apparent idiocy. I'm no programming expert so I can't say, but it seems to me if your going to deploy defenses you should stay with them, even if you suddenly figure out some other deployment scheme is better.

[Skyline Pete]

As said above the AI tends to leave it's arty behind, but to give it some credit once I start flanking it I've noticed the AI will turn about some units and race over to intercept me.

[Bawha]

I saw some wooden stakes once, but as soon as the battle began the AI moved all over the place and it all became worthless. =d

Could have been light infranty stakes tho.

[CtrlAltDe1337]

I've seen them guard cannons with spikes on the flanks of the artillery point, which is a good idea.

[aeoleron9]

Well, if they sat there behind defenses then ppl will be calling it passive AI bug, like in M2TW.

I think there is already a more defensive-minded AI personality, but it appears randomly. They should code it so the AI will only turtle when it's 1. outnumbered 2. is on the defensive 3. has fortifications or 4. Has a big range/arty advantage

[snuggans]

the only reason they use defensive artillery emplacements well is because once you set it down and end the deployment phase you cannot move the artillery again. everything else is then moved frantically about with no real sense of direction.

[ilikeicehockey]

Yup, I've seen put like 3 rows of spikes in front of their artillery. My general lost 10 units to them. I charged from behind but they overcharged and got stuck and died. Funny thing though. Saw some of my generals unit hopping over them without getting injured. To add to that I don't think your own units can be hurt by your own defences.

A note about the AI. They are decently smart. I prepared defences for a full frontal attack but the moved the flank a bit and attacked from there. I had to pull my reserve line infantry and some 2 guard units to hold the flank. Improved Fougasses worked like a charm and routed a couple of the units though. THey're cool to watch if you can get them.

[Frederf]

To add to that I don't think your own units can be hurt by your own defenses.

Oh yeah they can >.>

[Kazang]

Oh yeah they can >.>

Earlier today, the battle was practically over, just a few fixed arty and some cav left. So I decided to get move my general back away from the front lines a bit, while I moped up, lest he bit hit by a stray cannonball.

I had some spikes behind my mortars and my general thought i would be a good idea to walk directly into these spikes, walk mind you not charge, the entire 24 man unit casually walked into the spikes and died one at a time, i only noticed it was happening once i got a "your general has been killed" msg.....
I watched the last few trot to their doom and and was struck with a terrible fit of frustrated laughter as i looked at the neat pile of white horse carcasses.
He was an 8 star general, and yet he doesn't think to walk AROUND THE SPIKES it was only 2 lines of them They WALKED into them.......... how would that even kill a horse? Let alone the rider...

[Megalos]

Yep, I've seen them use loads. I was just facing a rebel british army who even deplyoed those land mine things. My line infantry were very surprised, as was I!

[tokaiser]

Its probably one of the only features actually working as intended.

[johncage]

yes, all of them have been used against me, including fougasse which blew up half their town when i stormed it