Making an AI that avoids engagements with unwinnable odds is fine and all, but I would expect that to be a relatively simple matter that doesn't flex the streng

Making an AI that avoids engagements with unwinnable odds is fine and all, but I would expect that to be a relatively simple matter that doesn't flex the strengths of modern approaches to AI. In fact looking back on my extensive albeit dated experience playing Civ2, I'm pretty sure the AI does in fact prefer engagements in which the odds favor it. If anything, the biggest gripe I had with it is the AI would often employ sound but tedious tactics, moving several dozen units per turn which, although not forbidden by the rules, isn't a lot of fun for the human to wait through. That is a trickier matter, since some humans do in fact play like that, so perhaps the AI should when the human does, but shouldn't when the human doesn't. I don't think difficulty in analyzing the odds of engagements like that is the reason good AI for Civilization is elusive.