No offense, but is it me or is the AI pretty ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ retarded in this version of disciples 2?

[zerrr]

So i had not encountered major AI problems with maps other than the high level ones ( which are actually rather nicely designed with an interesting emphasis on fights against really powerful parties ), even on Dark prophecy or ROTE i recall there was no AI lacks that were as huge to make the game nearly unplayable, but here i am struck with an unusually dumb AI which keeps on randomly and mass spamming all the offensive spells they've got without any kind of purpose or goal behind it : they will do that almost every single turn even through they won't have the guts to fight your main party at all, it's like they're doing this just to piss you off, ruin your experience of playing through the expansion and further prevent you from retrying it. What's even weirder is that i've read multiple times the AI was apparently meant to be improved in those 4 mini campaigns, except it seems to be the exact opposite in practice. Therefore i am looking for your opinions and if i am wrong ( which is still possible ), to tell me why so. Finally, whatever could be said about this particuliar topic, i am looking forward to a way to revert the AI back to it's original state like it was in Dark prophecy. Again, even through what i said might sounds a bit harsh at times, it was not meant to be hateful, but i just don't understand the AI behaviour in this add on of a game i truly cherish.

[QWEEDDY2]

Disciples: 2 Dark Prophecy - Galleans's Return is a compilation of base game and two expansion packs. With 2.01 and 2.02 patches also installed (for 4 CD Gold version, Steam and GOG - partially installed; for Steam version you should extract VPKs archives and use DRM-free exe from 2.02\3.01).
Improved AI - is from some pre and after 2.0 patches. So GR is indeed improve AI more than 1.41 already did.
His main leader accompany with second party and thief or some. He will attack your main party by his backups and thiefs with magic before use his army. Or use also summon if this is needed. Or retreat if your army is stronger not matter how many spells he can do on you (AI always see everything - in every games, so if you buff your party - AI use more spells or retreat).

Addon campaign itself do nothing to AI this is just a maps. But on that maps AI - same as player - already have some spells researched.

Yes, AI prefer to spent money and mana on currently available units and spells. Sometimes he spell-attack your main party for nothing. Usually he spent mana on to Rod Planter leaders or on main if there is AI party nearby to attack. On on any player parties near AI capital.

So this AI is 50/50% good and bad.

[QWEEDDY2]

You ALMOST dont need to update game as it is already ALMOST ultimate package with latest improvements and maps\heroes included. Only thing missed in Steam - patched exe (custom steam ones)
(GOG require gold upgrade and 3.01 installers from forum thread).
Every digital Gold edition is 2.02 but with 2.01 main menu file TApp.dbf. Only differences is v.2.01 string in that file. 4 CD version have only patched 2.02\3.01 exe - but since this is Retail you can easily install gold upgrade +3.01+2.02 on that retail edition. Steam ROTE Gold is latest again with custom wrong exe files. Most digital is latest. But GOG is same as retail CD version have only partially 3.01 and no latest content - gold upgrade and 3.01 patch required.

So for game files you need combine Steam files with GOG exe or GOG with Steam files. Without Steam VPK files for GOG ROTE or 4 CD and later Gold Retail releases you need 2006 gold upgrade and patches installers. And to install them on GOG you need proper registry entries.

Then combine compatible maps from ROTE (original DP back to D2) to GR and GR maps to ROTE (ROTE do not have any previous maps from GR), same as 12 blank heroes from GR (and optionally archangel from ROTE that is only one who compatible with GR).

GR 2.02 and ROTE 3.01 is a completely differ games. Officially maps and heroes files are not compatible with each others. 13 heroes i mention is compatible but have minor glitch in stats scroll on pre-mission setup screen. Else heroes from ROTE (2-3 level even looks compatible ones) will crash GR if you try to use them.

If you already have everything updated there is only one disadvantages against previous original D2DP release. After 2.0+ (and 3.01 ROTE) Dark Prophecy campaign maps have broken UnFOG script - every unFOG scripts work as addFOG. That only for base campaign 7x4 missions. Look carefully where camera move. or use Herecomesthesun (and Allalongthewatchtower as AI can see everything anyway) (Ai+neutrals will get more XP for nothing while them hided in FOW).
Also, some minor balance changes (noticeable balance changes are for ROTE 3.01 release, but this is differ game) and changed Dark Elf Lyf campaign hero and unit description as no more only one dark elf.

[Anatolius]

They also spam rod planters and don't give a flying f*** about economy.

[QWEEDDY2]

Originally posted by Purple Flame:

They also spam rod planters and don't give a flying f*** about economy.

Yes, AI spent gold and mana for producing more parties and summon\attack spells. Usually Rod Planters, yes. But AI at least well use them trying to collect every resources on map. Always retacke it from player. And sent summon\attack when you try to retake it.
This is not so useless, cause it is make you weakness and force you to protect own rod planters, resources, cities. Make more backups parties (and you need a lot of gold for that).
Still, campaign is main hero RPG gameplay. Skirmish\online and more for Disciples 1 (inc campaign) - Disciples1 is more strategy game - with more armies.