AI logic when ransoming troops?

**SupplyWagon** · December 30, 2013, 01:59 AM

I've just had a surprising situation in my ongoing campaign. I defeated German and Mongol armies in the same turn, and since I desperately needed some cash, I chose to ransom instead of relasing their troops. The Mongols have paid the ransom despite being very poor at the time (they basically had to give all their money). The Germans on the other hand, refused to pay even though they not only have mountains of cash, but apparently they lack ways to use it (despite their mobilizing to fight me, their treasury grows by thousands each turn).

The only difference except their treasury size was that in Mongol army there were two family members caught (not their only ones though, so I don't think it's about concern for faction survival). So what could the AI have been thinking?

**godofhoss** · December 30, 2013, 02:21 AM

Originally Posted by SupplyWagon

I've just had a surprising situation in my ongoing campaign. I defeated German and Mongol armies in the same turn, and since I desperately needed some cash, I chose to ransom instead of relasing their troops. The Mongols have paid the ransom despite being very poor at the time (they basically had to give all their money). The Germans on the other hand, refused to pay even though they not only have mountains of cash, but apparently they lack ways to use it (despite their mobilizing to fight me, their treasury grows by thousands each turn).

The only difference except their treasury size was that in Mongol army there were two family members caught (not their only ones though, so I don't think it's about concern for faction survival). So what could the AI have been thinking?

I guess you pretty much summed up your own question. The Mongols were programmed to do what they did in the past, a nomadic conquest spree. They pretty bought back their only chance of survival; from what I understand the Germans are set and they have their cities/castles, where as the Mongols have to fight and forge their own dominion from the start.

**SupplyWagon** · December 30, 2013, 02:52 AM

Originally Posted by godofhoss

They pretty bought back their only chance of survival; from what I understand the Germans are set and they have their cities/castles, where as the Mongols have to fight and forge their own dominion from the start.

Not exactly, as this is the Teutonic campaign in Kingdoms expansion - Mongols start with their own territories here, also from the start of the game they've conquered at least two rebel regions. Of course the AI for Mongols might indeed be programmed as you've said regardless of their actual situation...