Two new AI problems

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Two new AI problems - 12/19/2016 10:11:23 AM

Hartmann

Posts: 888
Joined: 11/28/2000
Status: offline

I think I identified two AI problems which (at least from what I remember) weren't specifically mentioned before:

1) I recently found the German AI had THREE panzer units guarding partisan spots in Yugoslavia, when they would have desperately needed those for Barbarossa. This really should never happen.

2) In all my games against the Axis (and one where I played Italy), I noticed that the Germans seem to have a good idea of what to do when they're on the offensive in Russia, but they just seem to crumble when the tables are turned on them. They pull back aircraft (which is ok), but they don't have any idea of how to reestablish a crumbling frontline by shortening it. I see them clinging to cities that became clearly undefendable and even still trying to attack and advance in spots - thereby suffering massive encirclements, hastening their doom. It also looks as if they don't know what to do with their HQs anymore - I sometimes see two HQs side by side with almost no units (except aircraft) attached, whereas in other regions they'd desperately need one, but there is none.

Some say that von Manstein's biggest (and most overlooked) feat was how he organised the retreat without being overrun. I think we probably need some scripts to emulate this. At the moment, playing the Soviets IMO is only fun up until the turning point. Once tables are turned, there's just ... nothing!!! It actually feels like playing against a different, much weaker player than before. What we should want to see is a coordinated defense along the shortest route from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, and then again a last ditch defense along the fortified positions a the river Oder.

< Message edited by Hartmann -- 12/19/2016 10:14:05 AM >

Post #: 1

RE: Two new AI problems - 12/19/2016 11:29:46 AM

Hotschi

Posts: 548
Joined: 1/18/2010
From: Austria
Status: offline

The Soviet AI has issues too. Playing the 43 campaign, the Soviets were operate-moving units around Leningrad without any purpose. It flooded Finland after its surrender with 20 or 30 units, while at the same time had only about 6 or 8 in Poland against the Germans. One tank unit reached the hex adjacent to Berlin, only to move back the next turn. Berlin wasn't attacked for the next 4 or 5 turns; only when the Western Allies reached Berlin, all of a sudden the Soviets were in a hurry

.

Another thing is the Soviet AI moving into areas already liberated/conquered by the Western Allies. It was fun to attack Zagreb (me with the British) and the Soviets rushing there, busily moving units into towns already taken by the British - must be some posturing for post-war!

_____________________________

"A big butcher's bill is not necessarily evidence of good tactics"

- Wavell's reply to Churchill, after the latter complained about faint-heartedness, as he discovered that British casualties in the evacuation from Somaliland had been only 260 men.

(in reply to Hartmann)

Post #: 2

RE: Two new AI problems - 12/19/2016 12:07:16 PM

Ironclad

Posts: 1924
Joined: 11/22/2006
Status: offline

I experienced the same when playing the Allies and was successfully driving the heavily outnumbered Axis back through the Ukraine creating several pockets whilst the AI continued in its futile attempts to break through my defensive screen protecting the outer approaches to Leningrad. It could easily have thinned out the northern force and retained a viable defence thereby freeing up reinforcements for the south instead it kept up the air supported attacks turn after turn with no success until eventually it had to retreat when the south and centre were overrun.

< Message edited by Ironclad -- 12/19/2016 12:08:12 PM >

(in reply to Hotschi)

Post #: 3

RE: Two new AI problems - 12/19/2016 2:11:56 PM

ILCK

Posts: 422
Joined: 6/26/2004
Status: offline

The AI has issues on the east where the Germans keep trying to "encircle" corps where there army group is being encircled. My impression is that during the "in the balance" phase the AI doesn't concentrate and make a determined push anywhere they are jus frittering away strength points on attacks that are basically meaningless and the Soviets can endure that the Germans cannot.

What seems to be a big time killer is the way it expends MPP. The AI loves it some research. They are always at subs 3, naval 2, advanced air 4 insanely early. Naval in particular is a fools errand for the Germans and I have never seen subs be a difference maker. The AI gets stretched thin and then spends MPP where it just doesn't matter.

(in reply to Ironclad)

Post #: 4

RE: Two new AI problems - 12/19/2016 2:38:25 PM

Goodmongo

Posts: 346
Joined: 9/22/2011
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: ILCK

What seems to be a big time killer is the way it expends MPP. The AI loves it some research. They are always at subs 3, naval 2, advanced air 4 insanely early. Naval in particular is a fools errand for the Germans and I have never seen subs be a difference maker. The AI gets stretched thin and then spends MPP where it just doesn't matter.

And yet there are threads with people complaining the AI is too far ahead and they can't win the game because of the AI's research and that the AI also has too many units.

This is why there is a difficulty setting to adjust MPP levels.

(in reply to ILCK)

Post #: 5