Re: Request: Settings or Mods?
 

I'd also recommend using my AI Opponent Balance Mod so the AI Opponents use their gems more wisely, here's the link:

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=42679

Re: Request: Settings or Mods?
 

Thank you all. I will check those links out as soon as I am home. Endo, thank you for that tip with the special VPs, that makes sense.
Just two more questions, if I may, right up front: Can the AI recognize the value of VPs?
And in general, what would you believe would be a good opponent density? (In other words, I have tended to look for smaller maps, e.g. those with around 100 provinces (Aran, Parganos; did Silent Seas a lot but tired of water nations; those were suggested for 6-10 players. I usually put me +5 AI in, that is, the lower density.) I mean, on the one hand, I want to avoid extremely dense maps, where neighbors fight right from the start, but I want to avoid the lack of conflict that can come with empty maps. So I guess my maps have had between 17 and 19 provinces per player. Would you say: more? Less?
Thank you!

Re: Request: Settings or Mods?
 

AI doesn't care about VPs, no.

Re: Request: Settings or Mods?
 

Have you tried the Tower map?
http://www.dom3minions.com/files/Tower.jpg
http://www.dom3minions.com/files/Tower.zip
Especially if you ally the AIs together.

There is also a much longer version suitable for really big games.

Re: Request: Settings or Mods?
 

Have you ever tried playing with 300 gold and 300 resources settings? You could use semirand to make gods for your opponents with 3 gold, 3 production and 3 growth, and give yourself 3 turmoil, sloth and death. That should create a pretty large imbalance in resources between you and the AI as the game goes on.

Re: Request: Settings or Mods?
 

Sorry, one last question, if I may?
Would you suggest "Normal" , "Defensive", or "Aggressive" AI? I have never tried defensive, but I was wondering if that might be a good idea, maybe that keeps the AI from making rash mistakes? I have no idea how the settings work, but perhaps you do?
thank you!

Re: Request: Settings or Mods?
 

Like many things in this game the results vary wildly with each nation and game settings such as map size or indy strength. The results of Pangaea AI defensive, standard, aggressive is very different from Abyssia AI playing defensive, standard, and aggressive. I have personal choices but Im sure I am very biased by my RPG concepts of the nations. Arcos has always felt defensive, Pangaea standard, and Abyssia just hits me as being built for aggression. And while some people feel the giants of Niefelheim should be aggressive I find that they are more effective playing defensive.

Re: Request: Settings or Mods?
 

I honestly haven't noticed it make any difference. It's much less important than other settings, that's for sure.

Re: Request: Settings or Mods?
 

A few things I find helpful with SP:

1) Slash gold to 50%. This prevents the AI from recruiting boring armies of militia/archer chaff. It also makes the initial game more interesting -- you have to work harder to balance gold and resources.

2) Set research to easy. With gold at 50%, you'll never get anywhere on spell research otherwise.

3) Stick with maps with < 150 provinces, and play against 6-12 AIs. You'll soon find yourself surrounded, outnumbered, etc. After you whack his pretenders a few times you'll be #1 on everyone's kill list.