Effect of different difficulty levels

[Leatherpenguin]

Hi all! I got the game today, but didn't have much time to play. What I did though were some short tests on the difficulty levels, too see if it was true that the AI didn't get any bonuses over the human player on VH. I pitched an all upgraded unit of dismounted feudal knights versus an identical unit, and lo and behold, it seems like it is inded true. The results varied each time, sometimes I won, sometimes AI. Great to see.

I then tried a few custom battles, though I didn't have time to test many, and couldn't really spot a big difference. So basically, what I'm asking (ahead of my campaign start tomorrow ) is how you experience the different difficulty levels, both on the campaign map and in battle. Let us know what you're playing on and how you feel about it. Do you feel like the battles are longer on VH or vice versa? Think the AI gets unfair fatigue bonuses or something? Does the diplomacy get wierd on VH campaign?

[Lusted]

Well as you've shown yourself, the ai does not get bonuses, it just gets smarter on the harder difficulty settings, and morale and fatique have more of an effect in battles, but affect both you and the ai equally.

[Miraj]

So no cash bonuses for the AI factions either? Man, thats great news. This is like a dream come true. So basically hurting the AI financially (sacking cities, blockades) will make a difference. That adds so much.

[Lusted]

Im not sure of that yet, though im playing on hard difficulty and the ai appears to struggle for cash as much as i do.

[turtle]

Heck ya, this is great news. I kind of knew that the difficulty levels would be much better this time around, but it's nice to hear it from lusted.

[thomonkey]

ya, all im wondering is about the campaign map. I hate when the AI just gets extra money. I'm hoping that at the harder difficulty levels there isn't any bonus money. Is there any way for the people with the game to check if the AI is getting extra money?