Air recon

[jasonbroomer]

For German air recon (at least in the RtL scenario), the AI air assist seems always to give priority to interdiction.

Surely it is units that is what the player wants and I constantly have to adjust this manually.

I am wise to change priority towards units?

[Jango32]

The unit setting means that it will try to raise awareness of already detected divisions. Interdiction means that it will try to detect hidden divisions.

[loki100]

it will also automatically switch between the 2. If its sure it has scouted empty hexes and they are vacant, it will flip to unit to improve detection on known units. If you set it as unit and it can't raise the detection level any further, it will swap over to interdiction as its focus instead

[jasonbroomer]

Thx, much appreciated

[PeteJC]

I play as German vs. AI as well. I find recon invaluable in determining where the AI is setting up its latest line. For the most part my results are OK but I was wondering if there is a specific set of parameters that generally maximizes a recon mission without getting too many planes eliminated.

[Zovs]

Yes there is I thought I posted this someplace but can't find it. I'll be adding to my Axis AAR vs. thedoctorking in a few days, but here is the general idea.

For Recon Missions, do not use Number of Strikes Auto(x) - where x = the area of the mission - and Req AC(Esc) of Auto(Auto). You will get massive recon losses. You'll need to experiment but what I am finding is the following works for me.

Altitude: 22000
Min. Weather: Poor
Intensity: Low
Schedule: D1 and D7
% to fly: 20
Mission AC %: 100
Escort AC %: 25

For each of the Recon AD I set them based on specific factors (like escorts or not, or a 'gut' feeling of where flak maybe or units may be hiding and the recon units themselves, such as Hungary and Rumanians are not as good as the Slovakians and Germans in my experience).

Number of Strikes: 1
I only set it to 2 for ports for right now with an area of 1, for all others the area does not matter, but I usually use 2-4.

Req AC (Esc):
24(8) seems to be a sweet spot if you have escorts in range and the losses are not that bad, 12(4) if only partial escorts and 4(auto) or 3(auto) if no escorts.

At 24(8) you get good DL at +6 to +12 and sometimes higher. For 12(4) I have seen +1 to +6 and for 6(x) generally +1 with some 0.

Losses can still be high if you get unlucky rolls, but in general with the beta .14 patch (I am a tester) I am seeing lower losses.

[Stamb]

ORIGINAL: Zovs

Number of Strikes: 1
I only set it to 2 for ports for right now with an area of 1, for all others the area does not matter, but I usually use 2-4.

So you recommend to use 1 strike or 2-4?

Also do you change number of strikes if area is bigger?

For example i want to recon 6x6 hexes, just to get general overview of the forces, what settings would you recommend? Auto will say something like 12-16 strikes.

[Zovs]

For recon I only use 1 for num of strike regardless of the area. 1 strike each day keeps losses down. The more each day the higher the recon losses. IMO/experience

[Zovs]

Again using 24(8) and 1 strike per day regardless of area (I only use 2-4, rarely 5 or 6) gives me good DL and lowers losses to recon. Again I am testing patch .14 which will be available soonish.

[Stamb]

Aha. Thanks for the info. I was always wondering (was to lazy to make my own tests) how many planes do you need to get an ok recon results.
How 1 strike per day translates into planes per hex? 24/ hexes count ? If this is true then 24 planes with 1 strike per day can recon 24 hexes max without leaving any hexes without a recon ?