Is the AI intentionally not defending Russian cities

[Redmarkus5]

The AI appears to have a pre-programmed set of defensive Phase Lines, linked to hidden triggers (e.g. Axis take Hex X/Y and the AI automatically goes back to Phase Line 2, then it starts thinking on its own again and maybe moves forward a bit). It is also programmed to avoid being pocketed, which I personally think should only be turned on from 1942, given that more than half of Soviet 1941 losses were related to being pocketed.

I think that the retreats made in 1941 by the AI with this design are somewhat unrealistic, although I'm sure it will kick my Axis behind come late summer until I learn some gamey ways to make better pockets.

The Axis AI failing to take Riga has been reported before and is almost certainly a bug of some form, though I've been told it's not.

Is it a game or is it a simulation? That's the question...

[Joel Billings]

I have to laugh a little at some of these posts. If you saw the kinds of pockets that our experienced playtesters can get in 1941 against the Soviet AI (at Challenging level), you wouldn't be asking for any code that would get even more Soviet AI units pocketed. Let's see what you say after you get some experience.

[Joel Billings]

I also reject the idea of is this a game or a simulation. It's both. For me, first and foremost it is a game, but depending on your definition of simulation, it is that as well. I think it can be and is both.

[PyleDriver]

Theres really no "gamey" way to beat the AI. I boils down to good organization and supply management. If you learn to do this well, then you can start having the Soviets lunch...Plus a good long term plan helps...

[Redmarkus5]

No doubt you are right - all I have been experiencing so far has been a slightly buggy first release, as evidenced by the Tech thread. However, it's good to see the fixes coming fast and furious.

As a new consumer of this product, it's impossible for me to tell where bugs end and design begins sometimes, so you'll have to be patient with me.

Which of these impressions of mine is false?

1. The AI appears to have a pre-programmed set of defensive Phase Lines.

2. These pre-programmed defensive Phase Lines are linked to hidden triggers.

3. It is also programmed to avoid being pocketed.

4. The Axis AI failing to take Riga is almost certainly a bug of some form.

The rest is subjective opinion - in my subjective opinion. As I say, once I have learned the game, I will possibly be able to do better.

[Joel Billings]

ORIGINAL: redmarkus4


Which of these impressions of mine is false?

1. The AI appears to have a pre-programmed set of defensive Phase Lines.

I think true in some cases in some scenarios, but it doesn't have many of these that I'm aware of.

2. These pre-programmed defensive Phase Lines are linked to hidden triggers.

I think there are a few that are triggered, yes.

3. It is also programmed to avoid being pocketed.

Yes, it tries to avoid being pocketed except in certain key locations.

4. The Axis AI failing to take Riga is almost certainly a bug of some form.

Probably, because Gary will bypass some isolated units but said that ports should not be bypassed in the same way. Not 100% sure yet.

[Redmarkus5]

Cheers! I think that many of the observations or queries made about AI behaviour in this forum would be answered by those four points.

[Redmarkus5]

Game updated to latest patch. German AI vs. me as Soviets - turn 3.

I note that the Soviet units north of Leningrad now have zero MPs. This wasn't listed as a change as I recall, but is it a workaround to ensure that they won't run south before the Finns attack when commanded by the AI?

[Joel Billings]

Always been this way. Yes, north is frozen.

[Redmarkus5]

Erm.. On all of my games vs the Soviet AI, the Soviet forces have abandoned the north and moved south of Leningrad to beef up the defences there.

I don't have a good ss, but if you look at the top of the map here you can see them running. By turn 6 they are mostly gone from the north

[Walloc]

ORIGINAL: Joel Billings

I have to laugh a little at some of these posts. If you saw the kinds of pockets that our experienced playtesters can get in 1941 against the Soviet AI (at Challenging level), you wouldn't be asking for any code that would get even more Soviet AI units pocketed. Let's see what you say after you get some experience.

U dont get 71 captured Rifle Divs in turn 13 with out being able to create pockets so its certainly possible in my experience.
Once one starts to learn the robes, but yes the AI seems very able in its retreat decsison process and thats only good IMHO.

Kind regards,

Rasmus

[Redmarkus5]

Impressive result and much better than my miserable performance.

As I say, this matter is subjective. Some will want the challenge of a clever AI 'sandbox'. Others will want a historical 'feel'. They might believe that the Soviets were able to evade pockets in 1941 or they might not. Some players might feel that having to focus so hard on creating AI pockets is an a-historical approach.

My personal view (just an opinion) is that the Germans were amazed by the huge numbers of prisoners they pocketed in 1941, and they were completely unprepared to handle them. Creating pockets was less challenging for the Germans than sealing them and collecting the prisoners. Personally, I would prefer to be struggling with supply and with those Soviet units that decide to stand and fight, rather than having to concentrate on figuring out how to prevent routed units from "flying" away into the distance.

The simple solution would be a couple of toggles in the Options screen for "Turn AI Evasion of Pockets ON/OFF in 1941", and a setting for "Keep routed units with n hexes of their starting hex".

[PyleDriver]

I think the Germans were more amazed by the huge amount of new units still facing them after the took all the prisioners...

[Walloc]

ORIGINAL: PyleDriver

I think the Germans were more amazed by the huge amount of new units still facing them after the took all the prisioners...

And aint that the truth in game too [;)]

Kind regard,

Rasmus