AI Question on Upgrade Cost of 0

[Lothos]

If an upgrade cost (which is percent based) is set to 0 will the AI upgrade it automatically if the unit is set to Garrison Duty?

I am particularly interested in units assigned to Garrison Duty, since the AI does not upgrade any units assigned on Garrison Duty I noticed that Russia uses Garrison units to try and slow the German advance but the problem is they are so weak they they do not even offer a speed bump to the Germans.

My goal here was to try and find a way to upgrade these units for the AI or have them Auto Upgrade. I noticed when I looked at the Auto Upgrade list it is limited to techs on the right hand side of the list while Increment Upgrades are limited to tech on the left hand side of the list. So my thought of have techs such as Anti Tank and Anti Air to auto upgrade for Garrison units was not feasible but then I realized I could set the cost to 0 which then lead to my question here.

[BillRunacre]

I think it'll be best to run a test, though a way around would be to have any required Garrison units arrive by scripts with Full Research.

[Lothos]

I think it'll be best to run a test, though a way around would be to have any required Garrison units arrive by scripts with Full Research.

Placing all the garrison units down by script is not really an option. You are talking about every partisan hex in Europe and then their is no guarantee the AI will leave it assigned their. Wish this restriction on the AI would be removed, not sure what was the thought behind blocking AI upgrades when assigned garrison duty.

[Hubert Cater]

Hi Lothos,

Upgrade cost will not have an impact, and AI upgrades for our WWII games only blocks HQs, Garrisons, Brigade and Division sized units while on GUARD duty. All others, including if they are on GUARD duty, have the possibility to be upgraded.

The reason being was through testing, prioritizing stronger units, and or active units, worked out better overall in terms of value achieved per upgrade, at least for our default campaigns.

Hubert

[Lothos]

Hi Lothos,

Upgrade cost will not have an impact, and AI upgrades for our WWII games only blocks HQs, Garrisons, Brigade and Division sized units while on GUARD duty. All others, including if they are on GUARD duty, have the possibility to be upgraded.

The reason being was through testing, prioritizing stronger units, and or active units, worked out better overall in terms of value achieved per upgrade, at least for our default campaigns.

Hubert

This block is also is being applied to planes. Have a strategic bomber i locked in the UK so the AI would bomb France and Germany for the entire game but it never upgrades. Mentioned this to you before.

Problem with not letting this units be upgraded is when they do get into combat they are easily destroyed.

[Hubert Cater]

Air units even if on Guard duty should now upgrade as long as they are not used for combat etc on that turn and funds are available. I've just run a quick test with the latest EXE, via a test campaign, and I can confirm this.

This may be a recent undocumented change based on your previous feedback.

[Lothos]

Air units even if on Guard duty should now upgrade as long as they are not used for combat etc on that turn and funds are available. I've just run a quick test with the latest EXE, via a test campaign, and I can confirm this.

This may be a recent undocumented change based on your previous feedback.

Hmm, I still see that strategic bomber I have locked in the UK never upgrading. Maybe because it is constantly bombing France and Germany. Perhaps having planes take a break from combat so they can upgrade (if MPPs is available). THeir is always a danger with the AI always having to do combat (or reinforce) so it wont ever upgrade them.

Perhaps making planes choose upgrade over combat if the hex they are in has bad weather. This way they wont waste away good weather turns.

[Hubert Cater]

Good catch and that could indeed be a side effect of the recent weather changes that allow combat during bad weather, e.g. there is no potential operational pause allowing for proper reinforcement, upgrades and so on.

[Hubert Cater]

I've double checked and the possibility of upgrades does happen before combat, so weather, and our recent weather changes are not likely the issue regarding your bomber not upgrading. It could just be bad luck or a combo of insufficient MPPs as reinforcement is done prior to upgrades.

But as mentioned, with the latest released EXE, I can confirm that under ideal conditions, a Strategic Bomber will upgrade even if set with a GUARD position.