WTF is with Grexolis

[Stranger]

So I can't get a handle on this mission. First attempt I went with Mirrors and turn 25 I had 5k worth of troops laying siege to my city with my barely 1k army. Second and third attempt went just as badly but much more quickly when I tried Pyroclism(sp?), fourth attempt I tried to rush and went back to mirrors, took out Turiel round 3, got to his city round 4 and started a siege because it was only held by a 300 and 100pt army. Given the buffs I thought it would be rough but doable even thought I had a 650pt and 150pt army. Every round of the siege it put out Tier 2 and 3 troops and had well over a 1k within two rounds -and I didn't get to siege because I was immediately counter attacked. I couldn't even do enough damage to take out a single unit.

So if I understand this right, you get three allies who spend all their time exploring, fighting stationary low level enemies, and sitting on their capital, your city is placed at a crossroad intersection between at least two very aggressive NPCs who start off with all end game benefits unlocked from round 1 and can produce whatever they want regardless of restrictions like initial resources, upkeep, province size whatever.

Is this game really so poorly designed and the AI so inadequate the only way to challenge the player is to cheat egregiously? Rules exist to set a fair expectation so one can make reasonable decisions and fair assessments. There is nothing sporting about a game where only one side has to play by the rules. I don't mind a challenge but this seems dickish.

I really don't get what the idea is here.

[⎝Wyrd Deofol⎠]

https://gamerant.com/age-of-wonders-4-grexolis-guide/