Catch
Auto-translated
More about the AI's attack algorithm in battle.
When it's the AI's turn, it analyzes which unit it can attack within its single turn – then it evaluates which of them is an archer (1), a flyer (2), or an infantry unit (3).
If it can't reach any of our units within one turn, then it evaluates which unit it can reach within two of its turns... and the cycle repeats.
You're wrong here. In Heroes II, if the AI can't reach anyone within one turn, it runs towards archers; if there are none, it goes for flyers; if there are none of those either, it targets the strongest melee unit.
My favorite tactic is to eliminate a lot of elementals on the first day on impossible difficulty using starting troops – sacrificing one gargoyle at a time to prevent neutrals from reaching my knights.
That's a lot of knights needed to eliminate a lot of elementals in 8 shots, isn't it? ;)