Re: AI competence
 

Iirc Dominions 1 had the option to specificly target mages. But most players found this imbalanced and this attack command was removed for dom2 then.
Imho it is better this way because otherwise some fliers would be way way too strong. Imagine e.g. flying SCs or a ozelot horde that can even directly target enemy mages.

Re: AI competence
 

Yeah, I don't get that. Frankly, the current option of Hold & Attack Rear (H&AR) is pretty much the same thing, especially with fliers. A squadron of Spring Hawks set to H&AR will still do a whole lot of damage....

(Harpies, somewhat less. But Harpies are very weak, even for fliers.)

The most unbalanced command in Dom1 was Fire Commanders/Magic. A few squads of longbowmen (available from many independent provinces) set to Fire Commanders or Fire Magic was absolutely devastating. Thankfully, that command was removed in Dom3. Commanders can still Fire Rear, but regular troops can't even do that.

Re: AI competence
 

Well no it isn't because players like me always put a army right at the rear of the battlefield to deal with this threat.

My mages then go singley spaced in front or in the exact centre of a large army mass depending on what I figure my enemy as. I find this is very effective when dealing with Mictlan flying sacreds btw.