combat is also a little illogical

[Xikar]

have fought way too many battles where I had superior morale, leadership AND outnumbered the AI as much as 4 to 1... and they massacered me. Way too much to be random chance. Just fought a battle where I had 61 strength factos (french) against 18 russian factors and they annihilated me.

[JavaJoe]

ORIGINAL: Xikar

have fought way too many battles where I had superior morale, leadership AND outnumbered the AI as much as 4 to 1... and they massacered me. Way too much to be random chance. Just fought a battle where I had 61 strength factos (french) against 18 russian factors and they annihilated me.

That's not a bug that's bad chit choice.

[Minedog]

ORIGINAL: Xikar

have fought way too many battles where I had superior morale, leadership AND outnumbered the AI as much as 4 to 1... and they massacered me. Way too much to be random chance. Just fought a battle where I had 61 strength factos (french) against 18 russian factors and they annihilated me.

I think you need to provide more information on this, specifically;
1. Composition of the forces in infantry, militia, guard and cavalry
2. Chit choices
3. Terrain
4. How the losses were derived, in particular pursuit losses.

61 French militia versus 6 Russian Guard and 12 Cavalry in the mountains could do this easily, especially French Esc Assault versus Russian Defend.

[Xikar]

Nope. Almost entire infantry on both sides (I actually had some cavalry), and one of my leaders was napoleon. His was benningson.

And this isn't the only occurance of this out of balance combat resolution.

Funny how lucky AI's get in combat in so many games.

[Grognot]

Funny how you're not mentioning your chit choices or posting saved games.

[Xikar]

I did mention that I used napoleon- and another was davout- as leaders, all he had was benningson.

Don't know what you are impying but i've hit a brick wall here so this must be a "good ole' boy agreement" i've stumbled upon here, a "don't complain about this, it's just the way it is and we'll attack anybody who does post a comment about it."

thanks anyway. i've been *here* before I know the routine. *sigh*

[NeverMan]

Once again, you fail to mention the chit choices.

It is a "it's just the way it is" thing since the game is Empires in Arms and that's how the combat system works in Empires in Arms (originally a board game and this is the computer adaptation of it).

Why do people continue to complain to complain?

If "good ole' boy agreement" means rational logic and a sense of sanity, then yes, you are right.

[JanSorensen]

Xikar
Post the chits each side picked and post the dice each side rolled.
If the opponents picks a better chit and rolls the dice better than you may very well lose the battle despite having more troops in the area. Historically that means you had the troops in the generel area but failed to deploy the wisely instead getting suprised and hit in the flank by your opponent.
If you dislike the combat mechanism thats obviously fair enough but dont expect it to be changed as thats how the game is meant to work. Unpredictability in battle is very much a core element of EiA.
 
Now, if your complaint is that the AI cheats and looks at your chit before picking one for itself and/no cheats with the dice then its a different matter. I havent seen that myself and doubt it very much but its possible.

[Thresh]

Xikar,

Being French and Having Napoleon in your stack, and outnumering your opponent, doesnot always guarentee a win.  Chit choice plays a huge role in whats going to haappen, as well as the die roll.

If you, As France with Napoleon, are Figithng Russia, and You choose attack and the Russuans choose defend, the battle got a lot harder because the Russians get a defense bonus.  And if you roll low, even with the modifier, and the Russians roll higher, you will break.  You will not be "annilihated" because at the numbers you quoting thats an impossibilty.

So, if you have a complaint aboiut a specific battle, you need to tell us the chit choices, and if possible the dice rolls involved.  It's quite possible you were outpicked and had poor die rolls, which means even if Your Napoelon and 12 Corps you may not win.

Thresh

[JavaJoe]

ORIGINAL: Xikar

I did mention that I used napoleon- and another was davout- as leaders, all he had was benningson.

Don't know what you are impying but i've hit a brick wall here so this must be a "good ole' boy agreement" i've stumbled upon here, a "don't complain about this, it's just the way it is and we'll attack anybody who does post a comment about it."

thanks anyway. i've been *here* before I know the routine. *sigh*

Having more leaders with the stack does nothing. The numbers the senior leader has do matter. RTRB.

Egads he's stumbled onto the great EiA wall of secrecy. We must send out our minions to dispose of this one.....[:@]

[bresh]

Yeah, leaders mean nothing if chit where assult/esc assult vs Defend.
Then leaders tac ratings are ignored.
And the Morale level of Russians increase with that chit outcome.
 
So would help if you described how the battles went, chit/rolls etc.
 
I had no problems winning vs the AI, as France, didnt fight the Russians much though, they surendered when i passed their border..
 
Regards
Bresh

[Xikar]

Leader advantages are ignored? Well, that's makes about as much sense as a rubber crutch in a hospital ward. I am also finding out that the AI mysteriously knows when I am about to get reinforcements and sends a nuissance corp to hit my depots so.. guess what... I can't get reinforcements to my front lines. Wonder how the AI knew I happened to have some scheduled then.

Sad when they program the AI to get advantages like that. Guess this game only makes sense with all human players so you can't "know" things conveniently.

[mr.godo]

There's also a "bug" where the computer doesn't let you pick your outflanking force when it picks outflank too. Then I attacked a turkish force (assault vs counter attack) and it gave him extra morale! Then I got attacked by an Austrian force. The computer picked Echelon and I picked Cordon and the computer added one to his roll! I figured something was up, so I attacked a lowly spanish force. Davout with 4 corps against one spanish corps. Outflank vs Withdrawal. When my outflanking force didn't show up in the second round, the computer cancelled the battle! Next I had Ney with a corps get attacked by Hohenlohe (1/2). I picked defend and the computer tried an outflank. Instead of outflanking me on a 1, it outflanked me on a 2! I could go on... <sarcasm>there are just so many "bugs" with this game!...</sarcasm> rtfm!

[bresh]

ORIGINAL: mr.godo

There's also a bug where the computer doesn't let you pick your outflanking force when it picks outflank too. Then I attacked a turkish force (assault vs counter attack) and it gave him extra morale! (B) A side’s final morale level is increased by "+1" if commanded by a Turkish leader.

Then I got attacked by an Austrian force. The computer picked Echelon and I picked Cordon and the computer added one to his roll! ((C) An Austrian commander adds “+1” to Combat Resolution Chart (see section 14.10) random number (net maximum “+1”

I figured something was up, so I attacked a lowly spanish force. Davout with 4 corps against one spanish corps. Outflank vs Withdrawal. When my outflanking force didn't show up in the second round, the computer cancelled the battle!
((D) If the outflanking force does not arrive after the first combat round, the defender automatically withdraws before the second combat round and cannot be pursued.

Next I had Ney with a corps get attacked by Hohenlohe (1/2). I picked defend and the computer tried an outflank. Instead of outflanking me on a 1, it outflanked me on a 2! (E) The attacking commander’s strategic rating is increased by “+1”

I could go on... there are just so many bugs with this game!... rtfm!

I think you guys should study the table 14.9 and 14.9.1
Each and every battle you pictured follows the rules, so how can you say this is a bug ?

Regards
Bresh

[bresh]

ORIGINAL: Xikar

Leader advantages are ignored? Well, that's makes about as much sense as a rubber crutch in a hospital ward. I am also finding out that the AI mysteriously knows when I am about to get reinforcements and sends a nuissance corp to hit my depots so.. guess what... I can't get reinforcements to my front lines. Wonder how the AI knew I happened to have some scheduled then.

Sad when they program the AI to get advantages like that. Guess this game only makes sense with all human players so you can't "know" things conveniently.

Xikar you have to check the tables when you do your chit choise.
Defend vs Esc Assault/Assault.
(F) Tactical ratings are ignored for the modification of random numbers

If you leave your supply lines open, why should the ai not attack those ? Human players would not ?
Just like a human player the AI can count bit. To have an idea when someone could get reinforcements. But i doubt thats the reason why he attacks supply lines.
I think you should try play more careful, and you might have more success.

Regards
Bresh

[NeverMan]

Once again, it's VERY obvious that many people didn't read the rulebook before sitting down to play this game and then choose to complain that the game "doesn't make sense" or that there are "bugs", when there aren't.

Essentially, to those that are complaining, it's hard to take you seriously when you haven't even read the rules and understand the game. Furthermore, for your OWN ENJOYMENT ( you paid the money, you should get full enjoyment from it) you really should read the rules before playing the game, the things bresh mentioned can be taken full advantage of by yourself too, since they are part of the rules.

Like bresh mentioned, nothing mentioned in this thread is a bug, these are all part of the rules.

Xikar, I don't believe you when you say " Just fought a battle where I had 61 strength factos (french) against 18 russian factors and they annihilated me." since I think that's statistically impossible. Even if they took 25% all three rounds (18*.25-4.5, rounded = 5, 5*3=15) then 61-15 > 0, so how were you "annihilated"???

What you meant to say was " Just fought a battle where I had 61 strength factos (french) against 18 russian factors and they BROKE THE MORALE OF MY MEN." There, all fixed.

[Xikar]

Thanks for the input bresh... and you are of course correct; human players would and attacking supply lines falls on page one of nearly any historical commander's strategy hand book... I guess what I am referring to is the extraordinary number of incidences where the AI hit my depot prior to the turn when I had reinforcements about to arrive to the front lines. I am aware of the fact that it would be easy to incorporate an algorithm into AI logic to "count" the months- seems the available from purchase date to deployment date are all factors of 3 months- I noted that with amazing efficiency he hit my depot on the CORRECT 3 month time interval. Had I bought infantry in january, the infantry I just bought would arrive at a different month than had I bought them in febuary... unless there is something I missed in the rulebook about the 3 month time intervals all being forced to fall on the same months regardless of date of purchase. I hope this all makes sense.

[Xikar]

ORIGINAL: NeverMan

Once again, it's VERY obvious that many people didn't read the rulebook before sitting down to play this game and then choose to complain that the game "doesn't make sense" or that there are "bugs", when there aren't.

Essentially, to those that are complaining, it's hard to take you seriously when you haven't even read the rules and understand the game. Furthermore, for your OWN ENJOYMENT ( you paid the money, you should get full enjoyment from it) you really should read the rules before playing the game, the things bresh mentioned can be taken full advantage of by yourself too, since they are part of the rules.

Like bresh mentioned, nothing mentioned in this thread is a bug, these are all part of the rules.

Xikar, I don't believe you when you say " Just fought a battle where I had 61 strength factos (french) against 18 russian factors and they annihilated me." since I think that's statistically impossible. Even if they took 25% all three rounds (18*.25-4.5, rounded = 5, 5*3=15) then 61-15 > 0, so how were you "annihilated"???

What you meant to say was " Just fought a battle where I had 61 strength factos (french) against 18 russian factors and they BROKE THE MORALE OF MY MEN." There, all fixed.

okay, yes, to play a game of symantics.... I used a poorly chosen adjective. Point is, with all the advantages I had, it was a good selection of an example of AI luck- I had him outnumbered in favorable conditions with a little over 3X the men. And the degree I got whipped was nearly comical- I would lose 12 to 15 strength factors each round while he lost in the neighborhood of the lower single digits- no more than 2 to 5 a round.

I must concede that perhaps this game was designed for a different purpose than real-world accuracy, and there are factors and ideas implimented to incorporate that dreaded concept of "game balance". Anyway, ka sara sara, what can you do.

[NeverMan]

ORIGINAL: Xikar

okay, yes, to play a game of symantics.... I used a poorly chosen adjective. Point is, with all the advantages I had, it was a good selection of an example of AI luck- I had him outnumbered in favorable conditions with a little over 3X the men. And the degree I got whipped was nearly comical- I would lose 12 to 15 strength factors each round while he lost in the neighborhood of the lower single digits- no more than 2 to 5 a round.

I must concede that perhaps this game was designed for a different purpose than real-world accuracy, and there are factors and ideas implimented to incorporate that dreaded concept of "game balance". Anyway, ka sara sara, what can you do.

I'm not sure how you could lose 12 to 15 factors if he only has 18 there, that's like 80-90% casualty losses. Did this actually happen or are you exaggerating? If that is actually happening then something is wrong UNLESS you mean you lost a lot of troops in PURSUIT.

[mr.godo]

ORIGINAL: bresh

ORIGINAL: mr.godo

There's also a bug where the computer doesn't let you pick your outflanking force when it picks outflank too. Then I attacked a turkish force (assault vs counter attack) and it gave him extra morale! (B) A side’s final morale level is increased by "+1" if commanded by a Turkish leader.

Then I got attacked by an Austrian force. The computer picked Echelon and I picked Cordon and the computer added one to his roll! ((C) An Austrian commander adds “+1” to Combat Resolution Chart (see section 14.10) random number (net maximum “+1”

I figured something was up, so I attacked a lowly spanish force. Davout with 4 corps against one spanish corps. Outflank vs Withdrawal. When my outflanking force didn't show up in the second round, the computer cancelled the battle!
((D) If the outflanking force does not arrive after the first combat round, the defender automatically withdraws before the second combat round and cannot be pursued.

Next I had Ney with a corps get attacked by Hohenlohe (1/2). I picked defend and the computer tried an outflank. Instead of outflanking me on a 1, it outflanked me on a 2! (E) The attacking commander’s strategic rating is increased by “+1”

I could go on... there are just so many bugs with this game!... rtfm!

I think you guys should study the table 14.9 and 14.9.1
Each and every battle you pictured follows the rules, so how can you say this is a bug ?

Regards
Bresh

sorry for speaking in code... no more drinking or posting past my normal bedtime... i was reading from the manual. and you missed one.

ORIGINAL: mr.godo
There's also a bug where the computer doesn't let you pick your outflanking force when it picks outflank too.
(A) Armies are not split into pinning and outflanking forces

xikar,
you need a hug. and you need to buy this game.

ORIGINAL: bresh
Yeah, leaders mean nothing if chit where assult/esc assult vs Defend.
Then leaders tac ratings are ignored...

ORIGINAL: bresh
Leader advantages are ignored? Well, that's makes about as much sense as a rubber crutch in a hospital ward...

From the combat tables, Assault/Escalated Assault vs Defend...
(F) Tactical ratings are ignored for the modification of random numbers

ORIGINAL: Xikar
Just fought a battle where I had 61 strength factos (french) against 18 russian factors and they annihilated me....
I would lose 12 to 15 strength factors each round while he lost in the neighborhood of the lower single digits- no more than 2 to 5 a round.

Assuming this is from the same battle, let's ignore chit choices. Let's just go off of tables! Okay, we'll assume you have all infantry and cavalry, making your morale 4. The russian, let's say he's got 10 guard and 8 cavalry for a morale of 4.56.
If you can only get 2 to 5 in a round, that is in the area of 3 to 8%, which equates to no more than 10%. Great, that means you're rolling on 1-1 or 1-2.
Okay, the russian is inflicting 12 to 15 on base 18... that's 67% to 83%... I don't see those values in the table. Hmm. What could be wrong here? No matter! Let's go for MAXIMUM DAMAGE. The russian is on the 5-5 chart! Oooh the carnage!!!
First round that russkie computer kicks out a 7 on the die! Whoot! 25% losses (5 factors) and -5 morale! ... Hmm. You're broken. That doesn't work!
I'm finding it hard to fit in 61 vs 18 where you lose what you say you lost AND managed to go more than one round. When the casualties are high, the morale loss is high. That's just common sense. You see your comrades dying, you either get heroic and die too, or you panic.

ORIGINAL: Xikar
Had I bought infantry in january, the infantry I just bought would arrive at a different month than had I bought them in febuary... unless there is something I missed in the rulebook about the 3 month time intervals all being forced to fall on the same months regardless of date of purchase. I hope this all makes sense.

How are you going to make purchases in February? Or get Infantry reinforcements in other than three month intervals from the Economic phase?

12.0 The Economic Phase
During this phase, which occurs only at the end of the March, June, September and December months, money and manpower are collected and certain expenditures are made.

Yes, it does make sense. Have you actually played the game?

rtfm - Read The Manual
mr.godó