Why Does the AI Keep Lame Units?

[MysteryX]

I don't like to upgrade units until I have to. In peacetime, there is no practical difference between a Spearman and Mechanized Infantry.

In my cities that are in 1-turn striking distance of my opponents, I keep everyone upgraded. Otherwise, units are upgraded on an as-needed basis.

The problem with disbanding old units is when an opponent launches a dishonorable surprise war, it may take me several turns to generate an appropriate reinforcement/counterstrike force. If the old units are available, I can just drop some cash and have a capable fighting force in 1 turn.

 

[RJMooreII]

I don't like to upgrade units until I have to. In peacetime, there is no practical difference between a Spearman and Mechanized Infantry.

In my cities that are in 1-turn striking distance of my opponents, I keep everyone upgraded. Otherwise, units are upgraded on an as-needed basis.

The problem with disbanding old units is when an opponent launches a dishonorable surprise war, it may take me several turns to generate an appropriate reinforcement/counterstrike force. If the old units are available, I can just drop some cash and have a capable fighting force in 1 turn.

I can see all your points here, but that is why I tend to do outside-in-upgrades and inside-out disbands.

 

[TheOverseer714]

But what if longbows are actually the strongest offensive unit you can build? Just busting your chops Overseer.

Hmm, yeah but in that case you would be losing...badly. Maybe in a game where you can only build resourceless units. Call it a "Resourceless Wonder" variant.

 

[Raliuven]

I don't like to upgrade units until I have to. In peacetime, there is no practical difference between a Spearman and Mechanized Infantry.

I don't completely agree with this, though I see the major point you are trying to make. The AI calculates relative strength all the time. The difference between a spear and mech are huge, though degraded by the lower value that the AI places on defensive units. The difference between horseman and cavalry could be the deciding factor that causes the AI to declare war. If you generally leave your forces without upgrades or you are not replacing them with new builds, then you may be inviting a war you could have avoided.

If I am in Monarchy I don't really care so long as I don't go over my support limit, keeping them around for selected MP duty, etc. For Republic, I will replace old units with new builds as the queue allows and disband old units in partially corrupt cities to push along critical builds, such as courthouses, marketplaces, etc.

I'm not against upgrades at all. There is a time and a place for everything (except coastal fortresses).

 

[Jyhawk]

If you have railroads, can you dupe the AI into declaring war by stationing weak units in your outer cities and then switch them out with modern units once the AI has declared war?

 

[Ataxerxes]

If you have railroads, can you dupe the AI into declaring war by stationing weak units in your outer cities and then switch them out with modern units once the AI has declared war?

I seem to remember that working in vanilla long ago. Another tactic would be to reverse Raliuven's idea above. Keep a lot of cash around and don't upgrade your units except what's needed for initial defense. As long as the AI can't reach an important city on the turn it declares, you can then transfer in the obsolete units and upgrade them. Obvious note - move them in and then upgrade in that order, if you upgrade first you can't move them that turn.

A third tactic (dangerous) would be to give them right of passage and leave some unimportant city empty. I've seen the AI move in one Warrior to capture the city and declare war when I had 4x his power. You'd better have good garrisons in your other cities although the AI doesn't ROP-rape any better than it does anything else.

 

[Raliuven]

If you have railroads, can you dupe the AI into declaring war by stationing weak units in your outer cities and then switch them out with modern units once the AI has declared war?

Better yet, leave a city totally undefended but just out of reach. They declare and suddenly you have 20 modern armor on the front line to welcome their 'invasion'. Just make sure you calculate correctly!