Just HOW STUPID can the AI get??

[Psycho_Mantis]

Why does the computer always keep its outdated units?

Although, I'll admit, there is a certain appeal to tearing through a stack of warriors with my tank battalions.

The computer can be stupid. But at least you never quite know what'll do next...

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by Psycho_Mantis
Why does the computer always keep its outdated units?

Although, I'll admit, there is a certain appeal to tearing through a stack of warriors with my tank battalions.

The computer can be stupid. But at least you never quite know what'll do next...

I've look at player-posted games, and people sometimes keep low-tech units for garrisons too. I mysefl sometimes use them like the computer -- to harass the enemies supply lines.

[MonsterMan]

I don't think the AI is stupid when it doesn't update units. The choice is between updating the unit to slightly better values, or supporting it for maybe sixty turns. I try to think that while this unit may be worthless, it's still a military unit. It can fortify in cities to make (communist) people happy, or it can be a look-out spotting suspicious enemy movement, or it can capture workers and cannons. They are also good as cannon fodders, keeping enemy troops occupied while my real forces move in. So, keeping some outdated units and spending the "extra" money on building brand new ones can be a good idea.

Plus of course, old units are good door-stops. Send them out to cut off access to parts of the unsettled continent you want to keep, etc.

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by MonsterMan
I don't think the AI is stupid when it doesn't update units.

I agree. The AI has taught me to never underestimate the destructive potential of a spearman sauntering across your territory. Indeed, the fact that many people complain about spearmen indicates their usefulness, as according to "Zachriel's Nightmare Strategy".

Beware the lowly Spearman!

http://www.crowncity.net/civ3/CounterAttack.htm

[sgrig]

It seems as if the AI is almost always short of money- so this is the reason why they rarely upgrade units. I think they try to set the science/ and or luxuries rate as high as possible, so many civs always have 0 gold. Hence old units are not upgraded.

But... When a civ changes to democracy, they become rich quickly and actually upgrade quite many of their units.

In my current game, I was in shock when I found that most of Persian cities had Infantry in them - I expected to find spearmen!

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by sgrig
It seems as if the AI is almost always short of money- so this is the reason why they rarely upgrade units. I think they try to set the science/ and or luxuries rate as high as possible, so many civs always have 0 gold. Hence old units are not upgraded.

But... When a civ changes to democracy, they become rich quickly and actually upgrade quite many of their units.

In my current game, I was in shock when I found that most of Persian cities had Infantry in them - I expected to find spearmen!

Yes, I agree. I was advancing on a city once. The enemy had riflemen. When I attacked they had all infantry. It was quite a surprise. Fortunately, I had plenty of cannon and a good mountain to fire on the city from.