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Peter Hugo -> Observations and suggestions (1/11/2020 6:10:57 PM)
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Played several games, once as CP and two as Allies, on default settings. As CP I defeated the Allies in Oct 1916, and as Allies I defeated the CP in July 1916 while enforcing the blockade, and have them on the ropes, but not defeated, in a similar game without enforcing the blockade at all. Given the default settings, the AI takes huge MPP losses, which greatly contributes to their overall NM losses. Anyway, it seems the blockade is very effective since it will inevitably result in a naval clash with huge MPP losses for the AI. Therefore, suggest the AI be made to employ unrestricted submarine warfare as soon as the Allied player starts enforcing the blockade to counter the effects, regardless of the consequences this will have on the US. Otherwise, the AI will face a daunting challenge of making it to 1917 on default settings. Also, since there are reports for the impacts of Raiders, Strategic Bombing, and Plunder, which few countries actually use, strongly suggest adding a report for tracking the impact of the Blockade over time.
Another issue is that the AI is hopeless when it comes to utilizing it's units correctly, and I believe the setting levels have no bearing on this as I've seen it happen at higher levels. However, I'd like to make the case for stacking HQ units since the AI routinely puts HQs in the frontlines. I love the HQ unit because it adds benefits to units and play when used properly in games against other humans, but the AI seems lost. My suggestion is that HQs be able to stack with another unit, other than another HQ, to force the AI to not screw up so much. As we all know, stacking is commonly used in nearly every other computer wargame except SC, but if HQ units are not meant to be ground combat units, then the AI is at a permanent disadvantage. It misuses them like ground combat units in defense, and is especially disturbing when there are actual ground combat units available nearby to use. So, either employ stacking or change the nature of HQ units and give them combat capabilities so the AI can use them however it wishes.
Lastly, it's been mentioned in several other threads how the naval war is difficult, but I believe it works alright since both sides are equally impacted, and once you get the hang of it and figure out how to play "cat and mouse" with the AI, then you'll think it seems too easy. I've read a suggestion about adding an attribute to certain naval units so that they can support each other when attacked, just like artillery units do for ground units now, and would like to echo this suggestion since it seems the AI has an awful disadvantage because of terrible naval tactics. This change would help the AI to survive a bit longer and fight another day. However, I think stacking is the long-term solution to the naval warfare as depicted in the game, so would also kindly ask that it be given due consideration, along with renaming units as task forces, flotillas, etc., instead of as individual ships, which is very odd given the scale.
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