Improving Allies

[Son of Horus]

A thought struck me while observing the supply system; is there any way you can boost allies? In particular, with research points? Is there any way in which you can allow allies to benefit from your accumulated research points? The cultural osmosis and learning being shared by allies?

Other implementation, such as the theft of information as an agent action/passive/stance - a spy using Intercept Orders gives a one turn boost to all researches (5% Base, 10/15/20 with upgrades) for one turn only, a Dignitary in their Diplomat stance in enemy lands increasing your research while in diplomat stance in allied lands increasing their research points, while a Champion as part of their adventuring bonus increases your military research by a significant enough amount that it becomes worthwhile to do it.

Perhaps a new Edict, which allows you to grant nearby friendly territories an increase in Research points, trade and growth (Call it "Lowered Borders" or something?), at the expense of something to do with reduced public order due to foreign cultures, decreased security against enemy actions (all locations have a base level of 3 zeal etc). Those traits or skills which improve the lowered borders can either improve the benefits that it brings, or reduces the penalties.

It gets quite disappointing when I'm playing a campaign, and I see allied armies lagging behind fielding low tier units because that's the best they offer. If I take over say Pergamon, and make them a client, I'd love for them to be able to become a capable roadblock. Letting them get better researches is mutually beneficial.

[Augustusng]

Well, unit upgrades in DeI aren't based on research. For the AI, they'll unlock upgraded units after a certain turn count, no matter what you do.

However... the AI will never upgrade or replace their units. Unfortunately, we can't fix that. It's AI behavior we can't change. The AI will only start recruiting those better units once they have room in their armies (units being destroyed), or if they gain enough imperium to recruit more armies. This is why you'll sometimes see Roman AI armies with units from all the different reform levels.