>>2089490
>by that point the game was so forceful with the focus tree bullshit that I [...] just stopped trying with it altogether.
Good to see im not the only one, nowadays the focus are worse, it's a mix of ancient ones where 70 days gives you a factory and the new ones that in 30 days which give you some wacky buff like 10% more attack just because. And most nations even have retarded rules that disable core mechanics unless you do x focus, some only available in y path.

The front ai is better and will try to use it's armor to attack your weak points along the front, however the nation ai is still retarded and will routinely disband it's productions lines. massively reducing their potential stockpile and army size