Question about POs/lack thereof

[CaptainKoloth]

Hello everyone:

Question, apologies if this seems dumb but I'm not sure I've actually seen this question answered anywhere. I've seen a number of scenarios that say only one side has a PO or that it's PBEM only. However, when I play these scenarios, it's not like the computer just sits there brain-dead or even making moves that don't seem generally relevant and in the direction of objectives - it seems like the AI plays "normally". If a scenario doesn't have a PO and you play against the computer anyway, what exactly is the difference vs. playing a PO? Is there some "generic" AI that takes over? It's not like if you have a PO it plays against you and if there's no PO it just doesn't - it's doing something (at least in a number of scenarios I tried- can't guarantee it's true in EVERY one).

[rhinobones]

Hello everyone:

I've seen a number of scenarios that say only one side has a PO or that it's PBEM only. However, when I play these scenarios, it's not like the computer just sits there brain-dead or even making moves that don't seem generally relevant and in the direction of objectives - it seems like the AI plays "normally". If a scenario doesn't have a PO and you play against the computer anyway, what exactly is the difference vs. playing a PO? Is there some "generic" AI that takes over? It's not like if you have a PO it plays against you and if there's no PO it just doesn't - it's doing something (at least in a number of scenarios I tried- can't guarantee it's true in EVERY one).

In order to make a scenario valid the TOAW engine requires that every formation have at least one objective. This gives both PO and player sides a minimal set of objectives to attack or defend. The scenario, when played from the PO side against the non-PO side, may not be very challenging, but with the minimal objectives assigned it can give the illusion that the non-PO side is playing a legitimate game.
A second consideration is that many designers give the non-PO side (player side) a full set of objectives to conduct scenario testing. The PO vs PO mode can be used to verify that units behave as intended, events activate on schedule and events cause the intended effect. The testing objective track(s) can give the appearance that a real PO has been programmed.

The short answer to your question is that by necessity all scenarios have at least a minimal PO capability, there is no generic PO.

Scenarios designed specifically to be played against the PO may contain features not found in balanced PBEM (player vs player) scenarios. The PO may have up to five discreet objective tracks which enables the PO to respond to the players’ actions. This helps to make the PO more competitive and/or unpredictable. Another design feature is to give the PO an edge in strength, deployment, supply, etc., which compensates for the PO’s lack of intellect. This forces the player to overcome a superior ( at least on paper) enemy force.

Regards, RhinoBones