Armour upgrades and AI?

**Awellesley** · August 24, 2009, 06:24 AM

I just wanted to start a poll and see what the experiences are out there. The question is: How often do you see the AI using the armour upgrades to upgrade units?

**SamZi** · August 24, 2009, 06:56 AM

I don't think I've ever seen the AI build anything better than an Armourer (heavy mail.) The later buildings are so expensive for the AI it instead goes for cheaper buildings or rather, troops, troops and more troops. My games don't usually last much longer than 100 years after plate armour is invented so I'm not sure how long it would actually take for the AI to build better armouries. Probably when plate's outdated.

**Awellesley** · August 24, 2009, 07:43 AM

Sorry about the confusion. Let me clarify: any armour upgrades from leather tanner on up. I just rarely see upgraded units at all and was wondering if this was a common experience.

**Goofy** · August 24, 2009, 07:56 AM

I think that's because they always make so large armies that their amount of money is 0 >> They can't build upgraded armourers.

**Point Blank** · August 24, 2009, 08:16 AM

To counteract this, in RR/RC some barracks types also have the capability to upgrade armor for the AI only.

**Awellesley** · August 24, 2009, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Point Blank

To counteract this, in RR/RC some barracks types also have the capability to upgrade armor for the AI only.

I guess thats what I was getting at-making things easier for the AI makes the game experience better. I know that BC has disabled armourers and I am wondering if the AI makes proper use of them.

**Loose Cannon** · August 25, 2009, 11:44 AM

Does the AI build new units with upgraded armor? Or does it retrain older units with better armor? First question the answer is yes, second question NO. How many times have you been attacked by the AI and find units in its army with only a fourth(or less) of the men it should have? The AI dosen't retrain for quantity so its sure not going to retrain for quality.

**Gorrrrrn** · August 25, 2009, 05:42 PM

From memory my research from last year showed the AI does build armour upgrade buildings -
money plays a part, and only factions with plenty of disposable money will go for armour upgrades at the highest levels
but yes the AI does build them - but making them cheaper would probably help them build them sooner.

**mcv** · August 26, 2009, 01:21 AM

I have no idea how AI mods work, but isn't it possible to give the AI a higher priority for buildings that improve its units? And then figure out how to make it retrain the existing units, of course...

**Mega Tortas de Bodemloze** · August 26, 2009, 01:26 AM

I'd never really considered it...But now that it's brought until I'll take note and report back...

Nice topic BTW....Awellesley +Rep

**Gorrrrrn** · August 26, 2009, 02:33 AM

For those who want to keep track of what buildings the AI builds, one way is to check the save game file every 5 turns and what new buildings each faction has built.

(I don't think we have tools like LtChambers has made for ETW to examine the save game. Only way i managed it was to manually inspect each one in notepad (try notepad ++ if that doesn't work.)

As for applying armour upgrades - yep. Again a lot depends on the availability of money / cost / competing demands on money, but yes it does it. Sometimes it'll upgrade if there's mo urgent need to recruit units and the the building tree has nothing it can afford or its exhausted it.

(Oh another option - run a campaign letting the AI spend your money - and keep a track of what it spends it on. I'm pretty certain the same algorithms are employed for human and AI factions if you do that.)

I ran my tests on HRE as it has a lot of regions so you can compare whet each one builds. You might prefer a faction that can sit undisturbed for a while for comparison.

Another factor is the faction personality - that allots priority to upgrades, economy, happiness etc. (but this is over-ridden by strategic considerations if they are more urgent.)

I'll see if I can track down relevant posts.

**ginger_hammer** · August 26, 2009, 04:42 AM

From my experience I find the AI is quick to get level 1-3 armoury into their settlements, nearly always before me. The later levels seem to take the AI longer as by that time I'm swimming in cash and the AI is generally bankrupt.

**Goofy** · August 28, 2009, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by ginger_hammer

AI is generally bankrupt.

I find that really annoying too.

**bɑne** · August 28, 2009, 08:40 AM

Keep in mind that "bankrupt" in the financial statement or in diplomacy basicly just means that the AI spends all the money they earn at once.
It doesnt necessary mean that it has no money to spend at all.

**Goofy** · August 28, 2009, 09:03 AM

Thank you for answering a question that I've been wondering for a long time, bane ^^
Well done

**bɑne** · August 28, 2009, 10:28 AM

Why thanks

I'm bankrupt all the time thats how I can emphasize with them.
If you want to make sure that they are still healthy check if and how much they are building
(productivity rating or use spies to check for new buildings)
You can also infuse money into AI kingdoms - if they still manage to bankrupt themselves after
gaining positive (well off, rich) ratings due to your involvement (either console or diplomacy)
then I'd say its safe to say that they have more ways to spend money then to earn.

The problem is always how the AI manages their lack of money in terms of priorities
- everyone can run a business in good times but might do not so well in bad times.