Is the AI any better yet?

[bob_x]

I've been playing Civ4 BTS with the Better AI for a few weeks.

I can't win at Emporer level. Is it because the Better AI is so good, or because I'm bad?

I like to play on tiny maps, and have been using the Big and Small map. I keep tech trading turned off.

 

[glider1]

Yes, the Better BTS AI (0.41b) is definetely a better AI in various ways, mainly navy and airforce which were very important to improve. I think but I'm not sure, that the AI plays better on smaller maps generally. It seems to be able to push through domination and conquest victories in simpler contexts on small maps. On the big maps with lot's of players (say >10), the AI can get bogged down strategically for those victory types but is good on peaceful victory paths and minor conquests. As for transcontinental invasion, on small maps it seems possible for the AI to pull off, but on bigger maps it appears to set up outposts in the new world and try to conquest but makes little progress. Suggest you forget archipaelego style maps because the AI doesn't know how to distribute and recombine forces located on distributed island bases and can leave important military strength wasted there.

Only my two cents worth.
Cheers.

 

[bob_x]

Two thirds of the time, the game is one or lost before a single plane is built. By that time, I'm far enough ahead that victory is a foregone conclusion, or I've already been conquered.

On the other hand, the computer AI has always been bad at naval strategies, going all the way back to Civ I. It was always easier to win on an all island map.