Starving is quite harsh. Do you think it is OK?

[duke_commando]

It seems like only the troops over the supply level in a province get the starving debuff, I've never seen an entire army starving. If this is in fact the way it works I think its fine, though I agree that scouts should be able to report on the supply in a province.

[PyroStock]

I find the severity of starvation fine, but the standard supplies variable at 100 is too low IMO. Thankfully that can be changed at game start. Starvation makes micromanagement worse for the fans of big armies and yet another reason to favor SCs and undead in the long run. Increasing the supplies variable before the game starts lets you focus on more war strategy and less like playing restaurant.

Valandil said:
I'm not in favour of arbitrary bonuses to AIs, inluding design points, supply immunities, gem bonuses, or starting units.

IIRC, you already have that with "Normal AI". Everyone wants AI programming improvements which is why when those are made it is applied to all difficulty levels, but that usually takes much much longer than giving x bonus/penalty. Even big companies with good funding, like Civ series, make other difficulty levels with a bonus/penalty to offer better challenge. However, it shouldn't be too hard to prevent the Dom3 AI from casting spells that hurt it (like AI Arcos casting Utterdark).

I for one am glad most games have more than just a "Normal AI" level. Nevertheless, in the long run SPers will be always be reminded if you want a smarter opponent play MP.

[Valandil]

PyroStock said:

IIRC, you already have that with "Normal AI"...
I for one am glad most games have more than just a "Normal AI" level. Nevertheless, in the long run SPers will be always be reminded if you want a smarter opponent play MP.

Of course. I usually play games on impossible, and actually do some of the AI-boosting stuff suggested on the forums. I'm merely suggesting that in an ideal world, the AI would be subjected to the same mechanics as everyone else.

As regards to starvation, is there any way, other than nature magic and fay boars, to reduce supply costs?

[NTJedi]

Valandil said:

I'm merely suggesting that in an ideal world, the AI would be subjected to the same mechanics as everyone else.

Unfortunately configuring the AI programming to be aware and adjust its strategy in regards to provinces with low supply would be a major programming project.
Since the AI are unaware of supply/starvation variables the AI opponents shouldn't suffer the penalties of starvation and its disease side effect. This programming change would be much easier, but unlikely to be seen within a patch.

Valandil said:
As regards to starvation, is there any way, other than nature magic and fay boars, to reduce supply costs?

locate magic sites such as farm of plenty and forge items such as the bag of wine. The scales of your nation can also effect supplies.

[PvK]

You can also build forts to generate supplies.

Starvation effects are relative, but also randomized.

I would like options to change the way disease works for some games, either only happening to units who were starving the turn before, or having chances for people to recover naturally if left to rest in supply. And of course ideally, the AI would take some care to avoid starving its armies.