RE: AI Questions

[Remulak]

I have noticed the last few games, played on Emperor level, that I am able to stop my nearest neighbors from expanding. If I can get a military unit, usually a warrior, either built or popped from a hut, near on the AI's cities, before they have built a second city, then that city will not produce a settler until I remove the military unit. Specifically, I attacked the AI's worker and captured it. Then pillaged all the improvements and then fortified that unit next to the AI city. The AI will not attack the unit nor create another settler. However, this does not work if they have created a second city. This seems to be an easy (and cheap) way to prevent your nearest neighbors from expanding. Has anyone else noticed this?

[Dominae]

The AI will not send out its unit unescorted, that's true. But it will attack your offending unit at the first opportunity with whatever unit it can build. On higher difficulties, you may find its own army come knocking on your door...

So, yes, early-game terror tactics do work, but they're not what I would consider an exploit.

[vmxa1]

It is very hard on std maps or larger to catch the Ai in that position. You need to start pretty close to it.

If that is an iron clad rule, it will not work above emperor as they start with an extra settler and will have two cities immediately.

You need to be close and find the Ai with all its units out and about, which is another factor and it can't be a civ that starts with better than warriors (Germany).

At emperor they get 6 units and some get archers like Zulu, so it could get ugly to try to fort nex to the city. I get attacked, if I am not on a hill or mountain as soon as they build a spare unit.

[vmxa1]

Ok, I just ran a quick debug and none of the civs sent out all their units and they all had 4 in the city after a few turns, except Zulus. They had 5 in the city.

Persia started with spears, so taking on 2 spears is tough with one warrior. You have to wait until 3600BC when barbs showup. Then the AI will send out more units to barb hunt. It will keep two back while the settler is being built. Once it comes out, then all bets are off and you can find the city with only one defender.

If you are lucky, the barbs may have taken one unit out, but 5 are about and will head for you or your empire.

[Remulak]

Thanks for your response. I am going to try it again after I finish my current game. I have only won consistently at Emperor level, so I do not play at Deity yet.