I believe the AI builds more units and less buildings than most players.

One of the AI you have is Kraxis. If that was the AI with the jump this makes sense because of the rush ability and wealthy combine to make pioneer rushing a viable option. Don't forget that the AI do trade tech with each other (something that we may fail to do) and so they move up the tech tree quicker in this regard. I don't know exactly what is going on with the AI that is why Tuidjy is presenting some findings with challenging to show some of these issues arising and they are addressing specifically some of the things he is finding.

It is also possible with trade agreements to get massive income bonuses. Also, I don't know what the tax level was on some of these AI factions. That could be an adjustment of tax from low to high to get the cash they need. But I'm speculating here. I think a lot of the inaccuracys can be explained with trades in the diplomacy window. Demand tribute type deals and trade deals. These can raise your revenue, also getting levels and heros with the merchant trait and maxing that trait out. Similarly the merchant bazaar is another building that gives a huge gildar bonus. Something like +30% to the empire's gildar production.

I wouldn't from the graphs alone judge whether the AI is cheating although it is suspect. From this I couldn't say, it would have to be more detailed in the gameplay, watching them.

This is what I've suspected is happening.  The AI factions trade back and forth amongst each other rapidly pushing their research rates through the roof.

From the looks of the graphs it is Altar that is way in the lead.

If he was completing a lot of quests he would get a high faction prestige which would increase his population growth.

Do you have any save games you could post that people could look at?

Nakisisa

I think the problem at the moment is that AI plays very aggressively to win and will take down a weaker nation (usually the player) at the first possible opportunity, which doesn't really lead to the best experience for the player.  I'd like to see an AI that is more responsive to the player's actions, like in Civilization 5 where it is actually possible to play as a relatively peaceful nation and still have a fair chance of winning the game.  That doesn't seem possible in Fallen Enchantress.

Well I don't mind the homicidal maniacs acting like homicidal maniacs. But when say.. Lord markin or Relias decided they want to see you burn then bribe all the empire and kingdom factions to declare war on you at the same time I have issues with immersion. But more importantly its just plain not fun.

I have NO issue with them being like this on high difficulties.. but its an issue even on normal.

As to "cheating" on normal.. many of the issues in Tuijdies thread on challenging I don't think are limited to challenging.. such as the AI being able to place cities in places the human couldn't, and the AI always getting a bonus to their capital cities food/mat/essence.

The game really has potential but there are so many issues that come up that I just don't find it fun.

I'd be curious to see more details about the Sovereigns involved and the relative strengths of various factions at the moment dog-pile-war is declared.  I've played several games of 1.0 on Challenging and Hard and never once had the AI dog pile on me.  

I wonder if its particular combinations of rulers (Altar likes to bring others into war, for example) combined with a "wounded animal" affect.  

Not questioning that this is a problem, but I wonder if some of it is simply the game's failure at conveying each ruler's personality during the game.  If it was clear, based on in-game interactions, that for example Altar will bribe people to kill off the weakest dog you would know that fact and have to plan for it.  It would affect your strategy and you could see it coming rather than coming as a shock.  You would know that if you're weak, befriend Altar or else.  

This could be an issue with other factions as well.   

Try Sean's mod - that's one of his main objectives. I'm personally having a blast playing it - the world can roflstomp you (I'm not even into faction warfare yet and have had numerous battles and close calls with mobs). In a current playthrough: https://forums.elementalgame.com/435202.

I dream of a day where both Sean and Heavenfall's mods are compatible...

I agree. I'm waiting for Frogboy to flip the switch, where I can choose the type of AI personalities I want them to use. Then I can set all the AI to isolationists and then I will have a lot more time to attack the AI at my leisure.

This is an excellent way of putting it.  I hope our voices are heard amidst the cries of those complaining that the game is "too easy".

Coudn't agree more. This is a singleplayer game first and foremost, so I'd much rather have the AI stay in character allowing me to enjoy the game, rather than behaving like players in a multiplayer game trying to win the game as fast as possible.

Has anyone tried setting the world difficulty above the AI difficulty and increasing the wildland density?  That might give a more PvE experience?  I generally like warring against other factions so I haven't tried this yet, but I might for variety.