Matrix Games Forums

What does selecting Computer Control as an option for a task force actually do?

Nothing good?

Honestly, don't do it. I started thinking that it would relieve pressure and make it easier to learn the game. I was wrong.

You certainly do not want the computer to control your capital ships. You can set up a system of supply movement on computer control, but it is easier to just set up CS convoys as they will automatically do what you want them to do. Only downside is when you have a convoy going somewhere the enemy has taken or taken someplace that is threatened. As allies this should only happen in 41 and 42 for the most part.

Setting up a completely computer controlled supply system is more work than it is worth IMO. You have to set the bases in the system and then the ships for that system. And then you have to trust the computer to do what it is supposed to do.

The problem is that that computer doing all this is the same computer you are playing against {if single player} and I think the computer will cheat in order to win. [:D]

If playing the allies, you will soon be swimming in supplies and shipping and can just flood places with enough supply to last a year or five without much effort and still have plenty to move to your central hubs, moving them ever forward as you collect a new jumping off point for the next invasion.

+1 for don't do it. Most of the time the computer's orders won't make much sense.

Thanks Guys, I've not used it much but was intrigued to find out what it was supposed to do. I thought it might help with sub patrols, but I can probably achieve what I want with a patrol zone - Do not refuel. To my mind that would tell a sub to patrol within bounds and when fuel drops below a set limit return to base to refuel.

The AI does not have enough development to decide what needs to be done and put together a good plan to do it. And it can obsess on a single point of issue (like getting supply to the most remote outpost) so much that it sends multiple TFs with more supply than the base can store, or even offload in the tiny port.

There is one time that the computer does handle things well - when you set up a Continuous Supply (CS) convoy. Load at the home port for the TF, select a destination, and click on the Human Control text - it will then change to CS Convoy instead of Computer Control. In this case you have made the key decisions about what is needed and where it is needed and what ships will be assigned.

If the computer is in control, will my ships and subs choose another home port when Manila falls? Because the Japanese have Manila surrounded, so it's just a matter of time, while Australia seems so far away...

There are many potential home ports closer than Australia for the fleet that is no longer able to go to Manila. It is likely that the DEI has not yet fallen or you can even send many of the subs to WEXF

You should not leave ships under computer control, definitely not in an active combat zone.
Subs will choose another port at random. Never tested if they actually choose one that has the needed support for rearming though...