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Basically what we are calling an 'exploit' here is a situation that is not believeable to us because we appreciate relative target values, as opposed to 'units' that simply do as their limited programming instructs. There is no 'awareness' of the general situation or even local circumstances.
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Incorrect. We're calling it an exploit because in smaller scale games clever use of decoys results in benifit that so far outweigh their cost as to be considered exploitative.
Changing the AI to avoid targetting small groups would fix the problem, but I think its more likely that having the tac ai not target certain groups would just open the game up to other (potentially greater) abuse:
Get a n4+ blessing on any small sacred troop type you want. Sure they have 4 protection, but if you use them in squads of one unit - no mages or archers will target them. Then just put 10 squads of two guys there - they'll never rout (berserk), they'll never be targetted by mages or archers. Perfect units.
This is just one example of how to abuse this kind of tac ai logic, there are many - it'll just take some time and prodding to find them. Making harsh exceptions like "the ai should completely ignore individual units" is just asking for more exploits.
Frankly I don't understand the resistance to minimum group size - my guess is most people are just uncomfortable w/ the idea of any change in the mechanics of the game. Even if it would be a very clean fix.