Why isn't the AI kicking and using the shield bash in combat?

[Pejot]

Also flinching because being hit by another arrow, so that my perfect wannabe-headshot misses.

In the arena (mostly, because in battle one on ones are seldom for me) I sometimes have the feeling that my shield is pushed away despite holding it up, and I get hit by the AI. Do others have similar experience?

Some weapons (two handed axes for example) can hit above the shield in some situations. So it's totaly possible. also the side from which You're blocking is important cause attacks from side can pass through if You block up or front.

Going back to the original question of "why the AI doesn't use those moves?" I believe the answer is very simple. It would probably be a huge pain for TW to code it. I hope I don't sound too salty when I say this, but the AI in Bannerlord is extremely bare bones(or, to be more honest, just brain dead) as it is. Adding kicking and shield-bashing, with the prerequisite conditions for use would be a pretty major endeavor for TW, I believe.

Or to put it another way, if they can't be bothered to make an AI that utilizes the most basic of functions of attacking, defending and moving proficiently, I don't think they would be willing/able/both to make it use kicking and shield bashing effectively either.

I cannot agree with it. AI is totaly capable of using shield bash and kicks and it was using them at release. They nerfed the AI to make skill more important cause we had looters using same moves as legionaries. They just did not balanced it good cause from all troops using all moves they changed it to only some lords using all moves and others not using them at all. This is basically connected to skill lvl of weapon they use and more complex moves start around 230-250 skill.

 

[Askorti]

I cannot agree with it. AI is totaly capable of using shield bash and kicks and it was using them at release.

I played the game since day 1, and I absolutely do not recall the AI ever using kicks and shield bash. Also, they did nerf AI, but not before first buffing it significantly for a short period of time. Point being, the AI did not start out good at all, they first had to buff it.
So basically it went something like this: Terrible AI -> decent AI -> bad AI

 

[Terco_Viejo]

As Askorti rightly says, the AI never shieldbashed or kicked at any time ( no idea what game some people are playing).... it really puzzles me this behaviour in still not implemented. It is curious that in VC the AI knows how to shieldbash and Bannerlord's not....
---
Edit: I finally found the devblog (it's been 84 years...)

21/12/17 devblog

HOW GOOD IS THE COMBAT AI ON THE HIGHEST DIFFICULTY? WILL THERE BE DIFFERENT COMBAT AI FOR DIFFERENT UNITS IN BANNERLORD?
“Until now, we mainly worked on the tactics of formations and armies, but not the tactics on 1v1 fights. I believe that we will add some variety on that only after we feel like the AI is good enough and missing only unique tactics. So far the AI has been buffed with improved ranged and melee accuracy, decision to use kicking, keeping distance according to combat states and so on. In the end, our aim is to expand the range of intelligence of AI in order to help new players more in combat, and create more challenge for the experienced players. With the addition of more complex army AI, you should also expect a hard time on even reaching the army commanders in the battlefield. And a challenging duel would be your reward (or punishment) when you penetrate the defences.”

Well... here we are ?

 

[Cowbbebop]

And we don't even speak of the cavalry who only aim horses and other non addressed issues.
The overall difficulty is way too easy and it is BORING
If they can't give us good roleplay element either than a good combat AI what is the point of this game?
They do some effort but as they look for the newcomers on console with very simplified mechanic, it will never be good. I am waiting for mod to but it is a never ending night