Mass ranged units or castles are pretty good against AI. Since most AI uses piecemeal engagement tactics a huge mass of range units can cut down everything as it approaches. Paladins are good for smashing town centers quickly but I find they do get eaten up and worn down if just left to their own devices. They need to be managed and deployed in favorable situations.
When an AI comes along that can put up a stiff fight like barbarian, I like to hold its attention at the front with an attrition war with dozens of military buildings, then get stables in behind or to its side, and stream light cavs into its economy everywhere. The AI will collapse for sure after being hammered like this for a bit.
"Excellent could be any map that has the quality of a ES random map or ES scenario. AoK is an excellent, award winning game. That's where I'd start." -AnastasiaKafka
"Hard work is evil. Bitmaps are stupid. Working on a scenario for more than one afternoon is stupid. Triggers are stupid. Testing your own scenario is stupid. The world is stupid. You are the Greatest." -Ingo Van Thiel