The meaning of Aggressive and Defensive AI

[vanz]

What is the difference of aggressive and defensive AI? I mean, I always set it to defensive, and expecting them to build a solid, impenetrable defense that would require a large number of troops and multiple attempts to defeat (I thought it would be fun). But instead, they would launch a massive attack and destroy me first, even if I am doing nothing.

[Player of 0AD]

Aggressive means that the first attack is launched rather early, defensive means the attack is launched rather late. That's it, basicly. And maybe the defensive one builds more towers and fortresses, but I'm not sure...

[Outis]

2 hours ago, vanz said:

What is the difference of aggressive and defensive AI? I mean, I always set it to defensive, and expecting them to build a solid, impenetrable defense that would require a large number of troops and multiple attempts to defeat (I thought it would be fun). But instead, they would launch a massive attack and destroy me first, even if I am doing nothing.

Maybe they follow George Washington's advice and mount a good offense as the only means of defense . 

Are you defeated at the first attack of the AI?

[Deicide4u]

Aggressive - attacks early and more often. 

Defensive - attacks late with huge force, builds more towers and Forts earlier. 

Balanced - somewhere in between the two. 

[Outis]

2 hours ago, Outis said:

Are you defeated at the first attack of the AI?

@vanz Reason I ask: i find it a good idea to attack the AI immediately after the AI attacks you, when its soldiers are depleted, and it cannot effectively defend itself. Especially, towers can be captured with ease. If you let it keep attacking, it means it can boom in parallel.

[Deicide4u]

Yes, the Defensive one is actually the biggest threat since it booms before attacking. 

Other AIs just ruin their economy by wasting units that should be working. 

[Player of 0AD]

45 minutes ago, Deicide4u said:

Yes, the Defensive one is actually the biggest threat since it booms before attacking. 

Other AIs just ruin their economy by wasting units that should be working. 

I disagree. It's much more easier to defeat teams of defensive AIs than aggressives. The latter will swarm you early on.

[vanz]

6 hours ago, Outis said:

Are you defeated at the first attack of the AI?

Mostly, yes.

 

But I'm doing better now. I boom to p2, upgrading pierce attack and cav speed, using 10 archer cav to hit and run on enemy border, while a healer metres behind. In this chase, I think it's good that the AI is defensive, because they way easier to get frustrated when chasing my cav. They just walk in and off, while my cav got their heads. 

[vanz]

9 hours ago, vanz said:

expecting them to build a solid, impenetrable defense that would require a large number of troops and multiple attempts to defeat (I thought it would be fun).

Anyway, how do you think about adding this mode? While AI is just booming and turtling? Surround their CC with walls (like Iberian), put many soldiers on it, many mainland units guarding, no scary rams, no attack launched. Sounds lame and not challenging, but at some degree, enjoyable .

Edited 3 hours ago by vanz

[Deicide4u]

1 hour ago, Player of 0AD said:

It's much more easier to defeat teams of defensive AIs than aggressives.

Yes, when it's you against a team of AIs. 

11 minutes ago, vanz said:

no scary rams, no attack launched.

Why? I am positively surprised when I see that the AI has launched a counter attack while my troops were out destroying his CCs. 

It's not fun to always win flawlessly. 

The defensive buildings are generally not worth it in 0 A. D. The Fort is an exception, but only if you get the Murder holes technology.

Four rams can destroy two unguarded Forts with no support. One Siege Catapult can do the same, given enough time. 

[Gurken Khan]

42 minutes ago, vanz said:

a healer metres behind

I like to take ten healers along on my "great peace & unity world tour", they mostly negate any losses, even when capturing CCs. (Put 'em on aggressive so they don't fn flee when they catch a stray arrow.)