first post here after reading and playing AOE3 extensively for the last week or so.
One of the things I have found and haven't been able to make sense of yet is the computers AI in skirmish mode. Let me explain.
I've played a few games on moderate and found that my computer opponents and my ally all roughly advance and develop at the same level.
When I set the game to hard I find that the computer AI really kicks in and they develop far more quickly than my ally. He/She doesn't develop anywhere near as fast as the computer opponents. Infact it almost seems my ally is dumbed down to the point of being worthless.
The one time my opponent was useful when I was under heavy heavy attack and they sent in some troops to assist (I think my computer ally was russia at the time). Otherwise it's almost as if i have to take on both computer opponents at once on my own.
Has anyone else played enough skirmish vs the computer to find this to be a problem?