Some SP setup suggestions appreciated

[onomastikon]

I really enjoy this game, and love the way the factions all feel quite different from each other.
I'd like to get my feet wet in seeing how "matches" (1 vs. 1 games outside scripted campaign scenarios) work. Maybe once I get the hang of things I'll try my hand at MP, but I actually enjoy SP (since I do not have much time). What I am looking for are some settings that help me get a good balance of challenge and fun. Can you give me some tips perhaps please?

I have gotten the basics so far: Selected multiplayer, a map, and set the second team to Computer. But I've noticed that the couple of games I have played thusly so far have been me steamrolling the AI or getting swarmed. So...

- Do you usually select a pre-made map, or do you choose "random map"?
- I often change the default gold of villages to 1 instead of 2, because I have seen some maps with tons of villages, and I am not sure how good the AI is at capturing those. What say you?
- I usually give myself -2 gold income and the AI +5 or +7. Wise idea?
- When I give the AI a huge starting gold bonus, it swarms me. What amount would be considered good?
- Finally, are there favorite / good maps that players might recommend for 1vs1 AI?

thank you

[Crendgrim]

- Do you usually select a pre-made map, or do you choose "random map"?

The "Random Map" generators are creating unbalanced maps. You rather want to play on a pre-made, carefully balanced map.
You could download the add-on "Rushed by Yetis" which allows you to play a randomly taken map out of a pool of balanced maps.

- I often change the default gold of villages to 1 instead of 2, because I have seen some maps with tons of villages, and I am not sure how good the AI is at capturing those. What say you?

Play more pre-made maps, there this isn't true anymore. However, the AI (though I'm not sure how good the RCA AI became here) still isn't too good at taking villages back.

- I usually give myself -2 gold income and the AI +5 or +7. Wise idea?

If you still manage to beat the AI, yes.

- When I give the AI a huge starting gold bonus, it swarms me. What amount would be considered good?

Whatever suits you. This totally depends on how good you are, how many units you let the AI kill and how many you can kill. The more bonus you give the AI, the harder it gets for you — but the better you'll get if you still can manage to win.

- Finally, are there favorite / good maps that players might recommend for 1vs1 AI?

I don't know of any. Most maps are balanced for human players, as the AI is quite bad. The biggest problem is that after some time playing against the AI, you'll detect its vulnerabilities, which makes it easier to win. The AI always plays with the same rules, while humans can do unexpected moves.

But I can advise you to try MP against somebody else who isn't that good — or, also, who is way better than you. That way you'll soon learn the difference between human opponents and the AI, and once you adapted to a "new" play style, you'll learn from you mistakes very fast.
You can also watch some top games and see if you understand why they are moving the way they do: Search for "ladder" games with high ELO rating / many observers in the MP lobby; or look straightly for top ladder players which you can find here: http://wesnoth.gamingladder.info/ladder.php
Do one of these (play against humans, or look how top players do things and you'll learn a lot quite fast.

[onomastikon]

Hey thanks much!
I'm actually not really looking to get much "better", just have a bit of fun ;.)
I realize the AI isn't great, but I like SP b/c I often play BfW to pass time in train (no internet). I suppose there aren't any plans to improve the AI.

[Crendgrim]

Ah, I see.
Actually, there are plans to improve the AI during this year's Google Summer of Code: SummerOfCodeIdeas

[Kymille]

I like playing the 8p and 9p maps, with AI allies. Since the AIs are evenly matched, and I control less of what happens, I find it's more fun and challenging. 1 on 1 just doesn't work well after a while.

Otherwise increasing the starting gold can help balance the match.