AI a little /too/ aggressive?

[John Lansford]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

I guess my only question is do folks think the AI is giving them a reasonable game ? - we only promised no worse than stock - from what I am reading and seeing people seem to think its better which is good but there seems to be real concern that its going beyond history?

So far (1/42) it's giving me a BETTER game than the WitP AI did. I held onto Wake and invaded Kwajalein in 1/42 in my WitP campaign game, had Rabaul isolated by mid-42 and never lost Balikpapan or Kendari or Timor. I don't see that as being possible vs this version of the AI, but if it keeps overextending itself the phrase "hollow shell" comes to mind.

[John Lansford]

Andy,
 
Another thought came to me; is it possible to get the AI to stage raids on isolated Allied bases?  The goal wouldn't be to hold the base, but to take it, eliminate the defenders, then leave.  Many of the South Central and SWPac bases are vulnerable to such an attack early on, but there's no way the AI could hold, say, Pago Pago if the human player wanted it back.  Wiping out the base support units and active defenders, though, would be a real PITA if the AI could get his LCU's back out of there.

[Erik Rutins]

John,

I believe it knows how to do that already. [;)] Let's wait and see.

Regards,

- Erik

[Scott_USN]

Yeah it knows how to do that well...

[lostsm]

ORIGINAL: John Lansford

Is there a real point, though, to the AI assaulting bases that they've got no realistic way to hang onto for any length of time?  Canton is a good example; the AI landed a SNLF there and was more than enough to wipe out the base force, but nowhere enough to stand up to the force the Allies had available and fairly close by.  They kept it for roughly 10 days, never tried to bring in reinforcements (or evac the SNLF, which would have REALLY ticked me off), or resupply.  A few days bombardment by some cruisers, bombing by my CV's (not even all the DB's since I expected some naval intervention), and the two NZ brigades and it was all over.

Now, had the SNLF landed, wiped out my base force, had some way to destroy the facilities (returning Canton to its original condition, for example), and then left, simulating a raid on the base, now THAT would have been great.  It would force me to try and beef up all those isolated bases with garrisons or risk losing them with no way to 'get back' at the AI, and the AI doesn't lose anything in the process (assuming they evac successfully).

that would be very cool if the AI did stuff like that. i've yet to play as allies, but i can imagine them doing that to me, and it would be a real pain

[mjk428]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

I guess my only question is do folks think the AI is giving them a reasonable game ? - we only promised no worse than stock - from what I am reading and seeing people seem to think its better which is good but there seems to be real concern that its going beyond history?

You only promised no worse than stock but I expected better - and I got it.

There was only one thing you needed to do to make the AI light years better than the original. Move the subs around. You've done a great job with that. Too good.

Like some others, I'm also concerned that the AI may burn itself out too quickly by overreaching even more than the Japanese did historically but I also see the importance of maintaining the initiative. Whereas in the past I'd already be inching forward in the South Pacific, now I'm just concerned with protecting what I've got. Which is as it should be the first month or three.

[Laxplayer]

Andy,

I've said this before in other threads, but I'll restate it again here. First of all, great job so far on the AI. But my one critique is that when making large invasions (PM, Northern Java, Caledonia), the AI completely lacks ANY CV coverage. That alone would help alleviate a lot of the unescorted Amphib TFs getting shredded by a couple CA/CLs and some DDs. IJN has a ton of CVs early on, but in my game I only ever see the occasional Ryujo strolling around Borneo and hitting the odd empty base that's been skipped over during their advance (like hitting the lone base force at Jessleton when Miri/Brunei/Kuching/Sinkawang are already in IJN hands).

I like the aggression, they just need to have the same aggression with their CV groups, at least in covering their invasions and large movements. In my game, they've been absent for probably 80% of my game turns.

[Andy Mac]

All of the TF's are supposed to CV coverage
 
its not CV's that are the  issue its DD's to let the TF's form !!!

[Laxplayer]

Follow up...

I just got too impatient and finally loaded up the game as the Japanese and ALL of the Japanese CV's are sitting in Tokyo Harbor (2 in other ports on the home islands), completely repaired, fueled and with full squadrons aboard. Lord knows when they last headed out. Only the CVL Ryujo is at sea and her TF is actually headed back to Tokyo to join the rest.

With regards to the BBs, 6 are sitting mostly unused (though fully repaired, armed and fueled) in Singapore. The Kongo is getting repaired in Shanghai. I saw the Ise and another (Usugi? I think? ) once or twice helping out early on with Rabaul and the area nearby. And I saw the Kongo and another ran through Batavia 2 or 3 times prior to the invasion fleet arriving, but it was just an SCTF, no Bombardments (which is odd). They didn't seem to mind that I had a CV and multiple CL/DD SCTFs in the area, while theirs are still sitting in Tokyo.

I'd be happy to send you a save if it will help, or if you'd like to see it.

[Laxplayer]

There are 7 unscratched DDs sitting in Tokyo with them.
Hatsuharu
Nenohi
Hatsushima
Wakaba
Sawakaze
Katsutade
Okikaze
...though no CA/CL.

And 6 unscratched DDs in Singapore with the BBs.
Minegumo
Asagumo
Ikazuchi
Sazanami
Ushio
Mochizuki
...plus 2 CAs and 1 CL.

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

All of the TF's are supposed to CV coverage

its not CV's that are the  issue its DD's to let the TF's form !!!

[Laxplayer]

Looking further...

I've sunk 343 ships so far (Feb 2, 1942).

14 DDs, 3 CA, 6 CL. ...and 1 CVL (Zuiho.. by a 6" gun shot near Singkawang!). The rest small escort PB/AM types and AK/AP.

There are only 2 DDs in need of serious repair atm, the rest are under 10 sys damage. 7 in Tokyo, 6 in Singapore, 7 in Babeldaob, 6 in Singora, and 4 each in Ominato, Patani, and Pescadores, and a few doubles and singles in another 8 ports or so spread all over the place. Probably less than half the DDs available are actually at sea at the moment.

[Andy Mac]

What date is the game at now ?

[lostsm]

ORIGINAL: Laxplayer

Looking further...

I've sunk 343 ships so far (Feb 2, 1942).

...

no wonder all the ships are in port! the IJN must have officially retired in your game

[AttuWatcher]

wow must be a bug?

[Laxplayer]

2/2/42

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

What date is the game at now ?

[Laxplayer]

ORIGINAL: lostsm

ORIGINAL: Laxplayer

Looking further...

I've sunk 343 ships so far (Feb 2, 1942).

...

no wonder all the ships are in port! the IJN must have officially retired in your game

Heh, that's what happens when the IJN never uses CVs to cover any landings... especially in the new bloodier (and better!) naval surface battles of AE. And like I said, it's probably 90% AK/AP. What's amazing is that the true total of IJN ships lost is about DOUBLE what I've got on my list as the allies due to FOW.

[GB68]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

All of the TF's are supposed to CV coverage

its not CV's that are the  issue its DD's to let the TF's form !!!

Are you able to clarify that comment?

I understand the concept, but from many posts, it seems this not occuring. Perhaps the AI needs a requirement for the Cv's but is ,for some reason, ignoring this condition. My understanding, would be that if the AI is unable to establish CV (or LBA) coverage, it should not proceed with the assaults or sorties until it can achieve this.

Not having tackled a campaign game yet, it does appear though, from others posts, the AI is applying the "short term gain for long term pain" strategy.

I'm speaking solely of the Japanese AI, as most people are not far enough into the game to see the long term outcome of Allied strategy.

[Andy Mac]

Send me a save please at least 4 scripts should be trying to form CV TF'as at that point
 
a.mcphie@btinternet.com

[Dixie]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

I guess my only question is do folks think the AI is giving them a reasonable game ? - we only promised no worse than stock - from what I am reading and seeing people seem to think its better which is good but there seems to be real concern that its going beyond history?

It's doing OK so far, there is a real feeling of despair at times as the AI takes another base from me. I don't mind that it's going beyond history, it promotes that feeling that the Allies must've had worrying about where the next blow would fall. The issue is that really the invasion forces are too weakly protected to stand up to counter attacks. By Jan 42 it's kicked me out of Malaya and the PI due to my poor attempts at defence [:D] and is generally strolling around China kicking my poor lads to pieces [:(]
However, in the Pacific...
The AI attempted to take Midway from me, the first attempt was spotted about 200 miles out and when I was happy there wasn't any air cover I moved a CVTF out to intercept. That invasion and it's supporting surface combat TF got hit quite hard a ran away. A week or so later another invasion turned up, this time with the KB in tow. Obviously the presence of the IJN carriers meant that a counter attack would hurt me more than them, but after a couple of days the carriers withdrew leaving the invasion TF unsupported and still unloading troops. The USN went in again and caused carnage with carrier and surface attacks against the TFs which were still unloading troops. A week after that and the Japanese troops on Midway were wiped out, the initial CV coverage the AI used was not in the area for anywhere near long enough to protect the rest of it's forces, with the result that the Japs are now down by a large number of ships and troops.

[Valgua]

ORIGINAL: Dixie

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

I guess my only question is do folks think the AI is giving them a reasonable game ? - we only promised no worse than stock - from what I am reading and seeing people seem to think its better which is good but there seems to be real concern that its going beyond history?

It's doing OK so far, there is a real feeling of despair at times as the AI takes another base from me. I don't mind that it's going beyond history, it promotes that feeling that the Allies must've had worrying about where the next blow would fall. The issue is that really the invasion forces are too weakly protected to stand up to counter attacks. By Jan 42 it's kicked me out of Malaya and the PI due to my poor attempts at defence [:D] and is generally strolling around China kicking my poor lads to pieces [:(]
However, in the Pacific...
The AI attempted to take Midway from me, the first attempt was spotted about 200 miles out and when I was happy there wasn't any air cover I moved a CVTF out to intercept. That invasion and it's supporting surface combat TF got hit quite hard a ran away. A week or so later another invasion turned up, this time with the KB in tow. Obviously the presence of the IJN carriers meant that a counter attack would hurt me more than them, but after a couple of days the carriers withdrew leaving the invasion TF unsupported and still unloading troops. The USN went in again and caused carnage with carrier and surface attacks against the TFs which were still unloading troops. A week after that and the Japanese troops on Midway were wiped out, the initial CV coverage the AI used was not in the area for anywhere near long enough to protect the rest of it's forces, with the result that the Japs are now down by a large number of ships and troops.

Yeah, I have also noticed this issue. When the IJN's CVs cover some of their major invading forces they often leave the theater of war too soon. I wonder what is triggering their impatience. I realize that one major problem with the Japanese AI is the chronic lack of DDs for escort, but this issue seems something different, does it not?