How good is the AI?

[EwaldvonKleist]

I am really intrigued by this game, but how good is the AI in this latest iteration? Do you have the feeling of facing a competent opponent in battle, or a braindead zombie horde doing random actions?

Wargame AIs often leave much to be desired, and I wonder how things are with this very different environment compared to the usual hexagon map.

[Stelteck]

There are two types of AI in this game :

- Campaign AI: This AI is asymmetrical. It is not a 4X opponent, and do not obey as the same rule as the player. It is a simulation of an international environment. I think it is doing a good job to create realistic and plausible international relations. The AI also build a quite plausible and comprehensive fleet according to its budgets.

- Battle AI: It is the AI used during fleet battle. I think it is doing quite a good job, but in my opinion to have the best experience, you have to play in admiral mode, where you command only the flag ship, and both the enemy fleet and your own fleet react to flagship commands using the same AI. In this mode i find the AI reaction quite decent.

But, if you use a mode where you can individually command each division, or even each ship, this unrealistic amount of control will probably allow you to greatly outperformed the AI and create unrealistic battle results.

[EwaldvonKleist]

Oh hi Stelteck!

Thanks for the info. How would you rate Battle AI compared to WitE AI (without crazy bonuses)? More or less capable, if such a comparison is possible?

[Nicholas Bell]

RTW3 is based on the Steam & Iron engine which IMO has the best AI that I have seen in 40 years of computer wargaming. Naval warfare by it's 2D nature and usual lack of terrain is somewhat easier to program. The AI is very adept at maintaining optimal ranges depending on gun type and ship speed, and also is good at launching torpedoes. What makes it really stand out is that unlike so many other wargame AI, it has a sense of self perservation. It figures out when it is outnumbered or over-matched and will flee the combat zone. The only time I have seen it have problems is when you surround it on three sides and the AI fleet formations end up turning in circles attempting to avoid the player's forces. Of course having your own forces firing from all sides on an enemy in the middle is something likely only to occur in a game, as such action in real life would make shell spotting impossible, not to mention the possibility of friendly fire incidents. In this case the AI doesn't know to pick a weak spot and force it's way through. But other than that situation, the AI will give you a tough, believable fight. I've certainly lost many battles which on paper I should have won.

I would highly recommend you purchase Steam and Iron (WW1), or Russo-Japanese War (it's sibling) which are on sale at NWS for $10 now and see for yourself before diving into RTW3. I don't think you will be disappointed in the battle or campaign AI for that matter. I can't comment on the world campaign AI in RTW3 as I am just learning the system and am pretty much lost on what to build. I wish it had a single battle generator like Steam & Iron/RJW has, but that is lacking.

[EwaldvonKleist]

.......

Thank you! I am glad to hear this since the rest of the game looks very convincing. Wargame AIs usually are very bad and since you can only paly against the AI right now, this is important to me.

Them, the only question is if buying the game can be justified in face of my to-do list which will certainly be neglected in this case

[Stelteck]

Oh hi Stelteck!

Thanks for the info. How would you rate Battle AI compared to WitE AI (without crazy bonuses)? More or less capable, if such a comparison is possible?

Wite and RTW are so different, i do not know how to compare them.

Eventually, if a have to criticize the AI, i would say two things :

- Coastal battle. The AI have issues to manage fighting close to land, leading to often divided fleet and broken formation, but it is the entire system that have issues with land. The coast is managed in a very simplified way (no risk to hit rocks for example or things like that) that lead to unrealistic behavior and best is to avoid it as much as you can.

- The AI could be more bloodthirsty. Sometimes in battle, an enemy ships have an "unfortunate" problem, such as a critical hit or critical failure, leading to a uncontrolled/slow ship that become very vulnerable. The AI will not go for the kill, like a player will do. It is often the only chance to sink an enemy ships especially early game when guns are weak.
A player will go for the kill, try to separate the damaged ships from the herd to finish it. The AI may not (although it can still be difficult to save the ship, as he will be slow and unable to run; and the AI will still shoot at it a lot).

[EwaldvonKleist]

Understood, thanks again for the feedback

[cwemyss]

Them, the only question is if buying the game can be justified in face of my to-do list which will certainly be neglected in this case

Eh..... if you finish that "to-do" list, it will just get replaced. You may as well buy the game.

[RFalvo69]

Another reason to play in "Admiral" mode is that "Fleet Tactics" is "A new exciting area of research!" (sic) which is unlocked after a while. The ability for your feet to pull their hands from under their a**es by themselves increases over time, and it is wonderful to see how your sub-divisions grow in competence over time.

[Stelteck]

Yes for example in Fleet Tactic, when you discovered scouting you are able to manage two ships instead of just your flagship.
Your flagship for BB and the one for the scout group BC/CA.