How do I optimize Athena's behavior?

[Meagher]

My question is "What settings and house rules should I choose to get the best game out of Athena?"

I especially wonder about the aggressiveness setting. It says normal is best, but it seems too reckless. Is playing as the Union considerably easier? How big is the battle bonus on very hard?

As for house rules, I have in mind:
1. No cutting rails except in CSA states because AI is too slow to repair.
2. As CSA no industry/blockade running
3. Transported leaders can not move or form corp/division that turn
4. No transferring units from unactivated leader to an attacking stack.
5. Return half the captured supply wagons to enemy
6. Printing limited to once every 6 months (I printed 1 or 2 times in last game)
I obviously stole some of these ideas, any more I should include?

If you care to read on, I have described my experience and some shortcomings of Athena. I have played two games as the CSA and won. Both were on hard and in the second I gave Athena high bonuses and set historical attrition to me only. Athena consistently tries to bypass my armies (by land) and threaten NC or Chattanooga. I try to protect major supply depots out of necessity and seem to have little choice but to cut off the invaders.

In game 2 Athena (all but) abandoned DC. She moved the capital to NYC then sent a large army to easily retake Grafton, WV and drive ineffectually south. Soon afterward most of the remaining defenders left to easily retake Harper's Ferry. I allowed time before moving on DC and then more before taking it, but US forces were too spread out.

Thanks for your advice.

[arsan]

Hi And welcome to the forums!

Have you take a look at Clovis Mod??
http://www.ageod-forum.com/showthread.php?t=14006
Besides tweaking a lot of game concepts one of his big points is that he has worked a lot on the AI so on both sides play more historically and intelligently.
I have not had time to try it myself but for what i have read its great!

Cheers!

[Meagher]

Thanks, I will check it out. It looks like the mod should address my concerns. I'm excited.