The AI Pretender design is insane!

[Zonso]

Yes I tried setting up the AI myself one game and then switching it to computer. While the self-destructive scales were absent so were any bonuses it seems, and the AI was really inadequate. I aborted the game and effort.

I am really intrigued by adjusting the map itself by placing the Pretenders and Scales manually. I read the modding guide but I guess I really am too old! It seems woefully incomplete to me and I don't even know where to begin. Hasn't anybody modded the map files as suggested here by NTJedi and Twan among others? Where can I download them? Or can anyone post a complete example as a guide to copy and adjust?

Confused.