I just started playing Civ IV (2nd game now). I decided to jump up to Chieftan (finding it a little more involved, but easy).

I'm attacking Montezuma. His neighbor is Asoka (damn music was driving me nuts). Anyway, he won't declare war on Mont despite being angry.

So, many turns later I'm finally down to 1 city left to tax and all of a sudden Asoka decides to come to the party by declaring war on Montezuma. Yeah, he rolled hard. Asoka brought 1 lousy catapult to the capital.

And he just left it there! He never fired a shot or did anything (not even broke down a road). After I wiped out Montezuma he shows up with a calvary unit--way late to the party.

Anyway, I had a good laugh tonight. Soon as I heal up my units, I think I'm just heading a few tiles over to knock him down. Then it's me and Louis XIV on our continent and two civs on the other (something tells me they want to go at it).

Oh, I got one of Montezuma's units to chase my 1 out of 5 point unit halfway across the darn continent to try and kill him. :D

For those that have played higher levels, when the AI declares war on whoever, do they really bring it or just dab around with pillaging and border skirmishes?

Man I love this game. :king:

The AI doesn't get "better" (meaning more inteligent) with higer difficulty. It just gets more bonuses (or you'll get less) so it'll be your 5 catapults against his 10 cavalry.

The expansion packs make it better. BtS Shaka will kill Vanilla Shaka.

Also notice that at chieftain level, you're still getting bonuses over the AI. Things are cheaper for you as for the AI. That's of course totally ok if you're new to the game. The AI is already programmed to know the game rules and for you everything is new.

Everest is right about the higher numbers of AI units at higher difficulty levels and about the better AI in the expansion pack BTS.

The AIs 10 cavalry will still attack your 2 pikemen fortified on a wooded hill and die, though, on any level.

Okay. I guess aside from watching this funny scenario play out, I was wondering about AI vs. AI action.

Oh, I did enjoy Louis's ridiculous trade demands, like horse riding (his) for alphabet + 360 gold. Yeah, I'll get right on that.

For those that have played higher levels, when the AI declares war on whoever, do they really bring it or just dab around with pillaging and border skirmishes?

Uhm ... Chieftain? Yeah, the AI definately is a alot more challenging at higher levels. They'll come at you with big stacks of mixed units usually with alot of catapults etc to do collateral damage.

Okay, so make fun of me playing Chieftain for my 2nd game ever. :(

No one sane is doing or will do that to you, really. Have fun.

Welcome on board!

Edit: One more thing. If you want better AI, try the unofficial patches around here, they make it at least a lil better.

Okay, so make fun of me playing Chieftain for my 2nd game ever. :(

Sorry, I didn't mean to give that impression. I should've written "hmmm" instead of "uhm" ...

Sorry, I didn't mean to give that impression. I should've written "hmmm" instead of "uhm" ...

LOL.

I know what you meant. I'm just playing around.

The thread was half serious. I found myself laughing at the AI last night.

I was more curious about AI vs AI action since I've read posts about paying to get the AI to declare war. On Chieftain and Settler, that seems pointless (feels like I could do anything and win).

Think I'm moving up a level after another game or two of experimenting. My reading here has improved my game instantly. :D

I was more curious about AI vs AI action since I've read posts about paying to get the AI to declare war. On Chieftain and Settler, that seems pointless (feels like I could do anything and win).

Usually they fight for a bit, and quit after 10-15 rounds or whenever somebody takes a city or two. Usually.

Ah okay. Thanks.

I've just ascended to Prince but on Noble, I've seen leaders like Louis or Monty land armies of 20-30 battalions on my homeland being a continent away. Also, leaders like Shaka or Isabella (If you don't have her religion) will be very hostile towards you and will send a huge stack of doom.

Also in AI vs. AI combat there are only a few AIs who will actually attack one another but I've seen eaders like Qin Shi Huang, Alex, Monty or Cathy destroys other civilizations. (I've seen this can happen in low levels like Warlord or Noble.) So you might be close to some actiom.

Wow. It sounds like after I progress up a few levels, the "S" really hits the fan. Can't wait!