Idea of how to "fix" the "Naval Search" and "Naval Attack"...

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Apollo11
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Idea of how to "fix" the "Naval Search" and "Naval Attack"...

Post by Apollo11 »

NOTE: I posted this some time ago on UV forum but, what the heck, why not post it here as well... <VBG>


Hi all,

With many threads discussing the player's need for better command & control
over our "little guys" I got one interesting idea.


IMHO, it is, possibly, revolutionary way of how to "fix" the "Naval Search"
and "Naval Attack" for UV and WitP...


Currently our squadrons on "Naval Search" and "Naval Attack" cover full circle
(i.e. 360 degrees) of area and they will recon and attack anything in their
circle coverage.

Sometimes this is good - sometimes it is not.


Instead of this I suggest something completely different...


Leo's proposal for "Naval Search" and "Naval Attack" coverage

What would you say if squadrons on "Naval Search" and "Naval Attack" could
cover user selected arc area?

Instead of default full circle (i.e. 360 degrees) the user would have option
to select arc area for each of his squadrons.

This arc would stretch from very thin "pie" (let's say 30 degrees) to maximum
coverage area of full circle (360 degrees).

Also the arc would enable player to "draw" how much of range he wishes to
cover (and therefore maximum range would be just one option).

NOTE:
We now have two circles for every squadron - black and red (Normal and
Extended Range).

Additionally I propose that two (2) arcs are drawn with mouse by player to
depict the area he/she wishes particular squadron to cover for "Naval Search"
(yellow arc) and "Naval Attack" (green arc).


Image



Obvious gains with this principle implemented

#1
With this implemented every player would have total control over each of his
squadrons tasked with "Naval Search" and "Naval Attack" and he/she would be
able to direct them in areas he/she (as player) thinks are the most important.

Also if player wants the full circle coverage (360 degrees) like it is now in
current UV - he/she can do that as well (since arc can be "transformed" into
full circle).

#2
With this implemented there would no longer be suicide attack at MAX range
against impossible odds (like attacking Rabaul from Port Moresby) unless
player specifically wants it.

#3
With this implemented the player would be able to make his "Naval Search"
concentrate on selected area.

This would increase possibility of detecting enemy (instead of wide 360 deg
search the arc would give total control) and, of course, the increased number
of aircraft over given area would do much better at search.


Possible problems with this principle implemented

#1
Hard to implement for AI

In that case I propose that AI would have to retain the full circle (360
degrees) and max range coverage. This would mean that AI would do as it is
doing right now.

#2
Bigger demand on player (micromanagement) although with default setting of the
full circle (360 degrees) and max range coverage the effect would be 100% the
same as it is now (with no work required).

#3
Possible problems with "forgetful" player's forgetting what squadron covers
what.



What do you think gentleman?


Can Matrix/2By3 please comments on this?


Leo "Apollo11"
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Hoplosternum
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Post by Hoplosternum »

Hi Leo,

I think you have identified one of the big problems with this. The AI.

To programme the AI to use this effectively is going to be a big task. Which with everything else they have to do I suspect will not be done. Even if it is the human players are likely to exploit it mercilessly. This would mean one of two things. Either the AI will just use 360 option or it will cheat.

Just using the 360 option will put it at a huge disadvantage. The search areas you want may be only 1/10th the size of the full circle/max range. That gives you 10x the chance of spotting / attacking than the poor AI. And you will still find some TFs slip through. So you will still have many of the same frustrations, but just another adavntage for the human over the AI.

As for cheating (it gets 360 degrees coverage but at a far better chance of spotting). This will cut down most of the fun of this. You sneaking in undetected. It will also provoke protests from those who don't like cheating.

It would be nice in head to head / pbem though :)

Like a lot of these suggestions - search arcs, different supplies for bombs & shells, production choices, changing leaders, bomb loads for air strikes etc. etc. I'll happily play them if they are there. But this game is going to be a monster by all accounts even without many of them. I am just hoping it will turn up fairly soon and would rather Matrix / 2by3 concentrated on getting out a bigger and better version of UV. Especially one with the decent editor they are now promising :)
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