[Renojustin]

No reason to set those AI to defensive. Try playing a 10-15 player game against Impossible, Aggressive AI... it's actually very good practice as you learn to destroy any number of enormous chaff armies attacking you every turn, which DOES translate to MP, I've seen.

You learn optimal troop placements, how to use your mages effectively, pretty much everything except anti-SC tactics. SP gets a bad rap because everyone that bothers paying $55 for Dominions 3 is usually a really experienced and proficient strategy gamer looking for a new, deep challenge, and they really bring it!