AI still kinda stupid.

[Vkkhamul]

I had an Irish "army" of mostly peasants going against rebels. The rebels had their infantry in a line and a cavalry right behind that line. I had the same formation.

I sent my infantry to assault their left unit, and brazenly maneuvered my cavalry to flank that same unit. I knew I risked getting attacked by their cavalry because they were almost touching.

Their own cavalry did not budge. Did not budge an inch.

For 5 minutes of the battle. By that time about half their army was decimated, and I went on to win a heroic victory.

[bɑne]

Congratulations on that victory.
I'm just guessing here but was that cavalry unit maybe their general or flagged as general?
Not risking the general is something I see as an improvement for the AI and from what you describe you seemed to have a mass of low quality units versus a lower number of infantry putting a single cavalry unit at the risk of easy encirclement.

Regarding the "still kinda stupid." part - if the AI was easy to improve the original developers would have done it themselves ...

[Vkkhamul]

Congratulations on that victory.
I'm just guessing here but was that cavalry unit maybe their general or flagged as general?
Not risking the general is something I see as an improvement for the AI and from what you describe you seemed to have a mass of low quality units versus a lower number of infantry putting a single cavalry unit at the risk of easy encirclement.

Yes, it was in fact the general unit. And the cavalry unit I sent was my own general. I guess it makes better sense the way you put it.

Also, how much longer until I am no longer stranded on this island? Can't seem to build a port.

[bɑne]

Yes, it was in fact the general unit. And the cavalry unit I sent was my own general. I guess it makes better sense the way you put it.

Also, how much longer until I am no longer stranded on this island? Can't seem to build a port.

Besides building a port you should already be able to hire mercenary ships - check the coasts for offers.
If they arent there already check back in a few game turns.

[sbroadbent]

That kind of thing happens on occasion.

I've had the AI sit and let me use them as target practice until I ran out of arrows, and only when I started moving towards them did they shake themselves loose.

Sometimes when you attack their stack and they are in a superior position (terrain-wise) they wait for you to come to them, preferring to maintain their defensive position, but if you have missiles and they don't, sitting and waiting can be to their detriment.

The AI is only as good as the changes that can be made in the AI files, and I think the modders have reached the limits of what they can do with the AI.

[newt]

You need a large town or greater to build a port.

[JorisofHolland]

Irish are kinda stuck on their Isle most of time. When AI controlled they rarely leave before turn 50, and then the only thing they do is assault Wales (if still rebel). That's why they are removed in RR/RC. Their roster has a few good spots, though. IIRC they had "Saethwyr", those Welsh Longbowmen and also a few powerfull cavalry units.

[Tomato_Sandwich]

have you tryed using Germanicu5's innovations? every mod should have the improvements he's made to the BIA. believe me you will notice the difference.