Hidden Units? The enemy AI knows they are there. (Doesn't act as if player's units are hidden...)

[DyerWolf]

See the pic. This has happened to me twice. (I rarely get the opportunity to defend, much less camoflage units).

The main body of the enemy is focused on my three units supposedly 'hidden' in the trees. Seems to me if they were truly hidden, the enemy's main body would ignore them and focus on my main defensive line.

But no, it's as if they KNOW I have units hiding in the trees...

[Kazuhiro]

Were they hidden the whole battle? Even if they were visible for only a short while, the AI would still send troops in that direction.

[Amur_Tiger]

I've experienced the exact opposite on two occations actually. Both times I would endevor to hide my entire army save for a considerable cavalry wing which would run off in a different direction, the AI would absolutely react to this and while it still sent something in my direction ( my general was still there after all ) the splitting of their force proved crucial in allowing me to defeat them. What I suspect may happen is that the AI is told to send 'something' over towards hidden units since it may not be good at deducing where hidden units might be, thus creating this result.

[DyerWolf]

No, the hidden units were placed there during the set up phase. They never moved.

The enemy started out all the way across the map, behind a hill.

They marched in a tight formation, oriented on my non-hidden main body, until just when I thought they would attack and I could spring my hidden units on the flank...

...the AI advanced 3 units toward the main body, like a screen, then turned its main body directly at the units hidden in the forest. There was no chance to spring my surprise attack - because it was clearly NO SURPRISE to the enemy that there were three units hiding there.

Another time (which I don't have pics for) my 'hidden' units were significantly far away from the main body. That time the hidden units were all cav.

Once again, the AI split its force, sending 4 spear units and one bow unit to the woods to attack my 'hidden' units - and the rest of its forces to my main line.

[phraetorian]

when they get close enough they will find out no matter what unit u hide, except for kisho ninja with the stealth ability

[Beowulf1990]

I've "fooled" the AI on numerous occasions with hidden units. This is simply not true.

[Bylandt]

I've had similar experiences. I had hidden light cavalry on my flanks. The AI sent its spearmen right at them.

Of course, that could be coincidental. But the impression that the AI ignores hidden units is more likely to be based on coincidence. ( If that makes sense to anyone. )

[Beowulf1990]

I've had similar experiences. I had hidden light cavalry on my flanks. The AI sent its spearmen right at them.

Of course, that could be coincidental. But the impression that the AI ignores hidden units is more likely to be based on coincidence. ( If that makes sense to anyone. )

I'd say it's more likely that the AI sends off a flank, as I've seen them do in normal situations, that happen to go in the general direction of the hidden units. OR that the units weren't always hidden and the AI has a memory for that. Perhaps difficulty affects this as well?

[Bylandt]

I'd say it's more likely that the AI sends off a flank, as I've seen them do in normal situations, that happen to go in the general direction of the hidden units. OR that the units weren't always hidden and the AI has a memory for that. Perhaps difficulty affects this as well?

The AI does indeed flank (the BAI has improved much in this game). But one other thing it has learned is to send units with anti-cav bonus (like yari ashiguru) against cavalry. Which gave me the impression the AI knew what it was doing. But, yes, it could also have been a coincidence.

The AI having a memory of enemy sightings is a possibility, but I doubt it.

Difficulty is pobably not a factor, because I always play on normal.

[Xelathur]

The AI can't spot hidden units unless you move them around, or adjust formations etc. Once seen, the enemy will know they are there and plan accordingly.

Just did a test, if you dont move them the enemy wont know they are there. However, hidden units are easily spotted. Don't count on them.

[Captain Zoran]

Aye, and it seems that if you are facing archers, they can spot your troops in forests the moment they come within range. It's quite annoying.

[Daneboy]

Hmm..Not quite sure about the archers beeing able to see hidden units.

I believe that I have gotten away with hidding troops from the enemy on a few occasions.

[TotalWarker]

I have had many battles now where my hidden units have won me the battle. I play on Hard and as long as they start in the woods and walk without being revealed they have been able to swing round and hit them in the side. There has also been a couple of occasions when they came at my hidden units when closer but as mentioned i think this is due to certain units having the ability to 'see' them once in range. I find if I set up at the back of my deployment zone to one side and put the hidden units on the other side of the deployment zone near the front it helps as the enemy army naturally moves towards the army they can see and gives my hidden units (usually warrior monks) a wide enough berth that they dont get spotted.

[Gulatr]

Hidden units seem to work well for me, AI spot them only if it gets close or if I move the hidden units using the "Run" command instead of "walk".

Units that are in the woods can walk around the woods and still be considered hidden, in maps with large wooded areas this is very usefully.

You should hide your troops farther away from the main enemy body, so even if the enemy tries to flank your men, they will not discover your trap until you are ready to move yourself.

[Katsuhisa]

i've used cavalry and heavy infantry in hide mode while placing my army off to the side. so that the enemy would have to circle around a mountain or something so that my hidden units would be at the back of their army. Work wonders when you have them in a sammich!! But yeah, sometimes, it's just the enemy have direct knowledge of where your units are, even if they are on the other side of the map behind a hill -,-

[Gulatr]

But yeah, sometimes, it's just the enemy have direct knowledge of where your units are, even if they are on the other side of the map behind a hill -,-

In the sake den I have heard rumors that some of the Daimyo employ Mystics and Astrologers, to help them with the arts of the unseen

[Stubudd]

probably been posted already, but i've seen the AI do a big shift, flanking movement like that as they approach, when i had no units hidden at all... seems like it's more often a move to my left than to my right also... it was likely coincidence that you had units hidden where they were shifting

[Katsuhisa]

could it be that maybe the AI actually targets the weakest units? Like, in reality they would focus the bulk of the army towards the weakest link of the enemy in order to break them more easily so if they've actually implented that in the S2 AI, i must say im impressed :O

[arrack]

I used hidden units, last time to great effect chewing up a whole archer flank with my spear. So this works.

Have you considered the fact that the AI knows how many units you have? And if it only sees 4 of the 20 it might guess that the others are hidden somewhere logical, like say, in the trees on the flank? I rely on the hidden symbol on the troops, as long as its lit, they should be safe. But some units are better at spotting I guess.

[Slaists]

Well, look at your pic. if YOU saw this situation: an army lined up right next to a forest and the forest already sort of flanking you? would you NOT be suspicious about what awaits you in the forest? Also, it seems, you have no lack of missiles. Which side does it make MOST sense for the AI to attack you from? Yes, the forest side (protects from arrows somewhat).

Other than that, I have fooled the AI on many occasions by placing cavalry in a forest AWAY from my main army. Sure, you have to make sure that forest patch is not in the way of the AI's advancing army.