Passive AI in battles

**Cheomesh** · November 27, 2009, 02:55 PM

I've noticed that quite often the AI will not actually attack me when in a real time battle. As I am Rome, this is bad because I'm mostly infantry dependent.

In order for them to actually begin an assault, I usually have to take something from them. Skirmishing doesn't work so much, as they only advance enough to chase off the skirmishers. Usually, I have to either attack on foot (usually a bad idea as I'll be moving through bad terrain, up a hill, or something otherwise not suitable) or hit them with my equites (which I've gotten pretty handy at using because of this). Is this how they normally are?

Speaking of equites, hw does one go about forming a wedge with them?

M.

**Quinn Inuit** · November 27, 2009, 04:13 PM

Only particularly good cavalry is allowed to use the wedge formation, since it's more difficult. Roman cavalry was never particularly good.

I generally don't have problems getting the AI to attack me. The trick is to try to make sure most battles are in their territory rather than yours. If they're in your territory, they're generally going to attack your cities directly unless you block them off completely. The AI will usually try to fight you off if you're in their territory, though.

As Romans, hire a bunch of Cretans or Balearic slingers to make them want to attack you more, then move your infantry up slowly with your skirmishers (they can't be chased off as easily with legionaries right behind them). The AI doesn't like getting bombarded any more than you do.

**Ramiro** · December 01, 2009, 08:17 PM

Usually a good trick is to expose a medium infantry unit (like peltast or archers). The AI usually attacks them with their cavalry and generals. Then you move in your heavy infantry units (I love the combination of archers and phalangites as they maul the enemy cavalry) and give the final blow with you own heavy cav/generals. Be sure to have one or two light cav units to fend off enemy skirmishers and chase routers.

One reason i have noticed that prevents the enemy from attacking is when you are in a good tactical situation (protected flanks, uphill) Be sure to find this good position, then move away, the AI will sometimes attack in disorder (cavalry first), in that moment return to the previos position if you can, the enemy cavalry will be engaged and sometimes theirinfantry retreats leaving the cavalry to died alone.

Other tricks that works for me: if you see the AI in a good position and it does not move, try moving to their flank, sometimes they just change their front, but othertimes the AI retreats to a new, worse position, or even attacks you.

Protect you veteran misile units. Playing with Epirus my super veteran cretan archers usually get more kills than the finest cavalry.

**Cheomesh** · December 02, 2009, 01:10 AM

I have a gold chevron slinger group that is made of kill, with the first level weapon upgrade (and armor). Hoping to get more, as they can even damage armored units fairly alright.

M.