- Several fixes with new vanilla update.

- Small script fixes.

- AI adjustments by Hecleas.

- Updated for 5.2.2

- Cults agents bug fixed.

- Hidden effects bug fixed.

- High King Decrees bug fixed.

- Black texture bug fixed.

@everyone

Hey Everyone!
Venris Here!

I would like to have a chat about update 5.2. SFO III was just updated to work with a new vanilla game update. We did not make any big changes beside small nerfs to Dwarf Deeps. We really like that idea (we began work on a similar system making crypts for Vampire Counts a few weeks ago). But we also think that system is a bit too much for Dawi, which already has a lot of strong features. So for now we increased construction time and costs of all buildings. Chaos Cults and Cathay Caravans on the other side are not touched from vanilla, we may get back to them in future but no changes from vanilla for now as all is good here. Same with Unusual Locations that we really like and hope more will be added in future.

But there is one thing that we really do not agree with. 5.2 update mentions big changes to AI among many other things that should make it more “smart”. While playing now you can see AI more aggressive and harder at the first glance. We went deep into those changes and found out why. Actual AI changes are very minimal to the point of not affecting the campaign at all. The big change that was introduced is the insane amount of cheats that AI received. We are talking about 80% cost reductions for buildings, recruitment or units upkeep. No technology costs, high replenishment, no attrition damage or free experience for units and characters. Those values are almost double from the previous vanilla version and a base when the game begins so with few more technologies that AI researches way faster than players we have a situation when everything is just free. But what really changed that AI has more elite armies is not the fact that it started to move to proper provinces and recruit there, no. AI after the update has NO global recruitment time and cost. Yes, AI can do it for free now and instantly. And things that I just mentioned are not only on Legendary difficulty but on all of them, added to AI stronger the player is (even 3 player provinces can provide 50% reductions for AI). It all causes situations when 1 enemy province can produce an unlimited number of armies. So if you want to win a war you need to wipe out the enemy. Things we really don't like and do not agree as players of Total War. So with all respect, we are not adding AI changes to the newest SFO III update.

As a team we still plan to work on AI improvements and try to make it smarter while giving it less and less cheats. We want more natural situations in campaigns when taking big economic hits actually makes a difference for AI and not be just a festival of cheats. And yes, cheats are needed right now because without them AI does nothing. But we have SFO Mod Menu if you want them for AI, not forced on you on all difficulties.

Next SFO update will be focusing on Vampire Counts.

Venris Out!

- Celestial Dragon Guard, units; fationwide caps doubled.
- Ambusher Druzhina skill fixed.
- Gift of Slaanesh trait fixed.
- Empire models bugs fixed thanks to Snek.
- Small UI fixes.