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ORIGINAL: Connfire

Does raising the difficulty level help the campaign AI? I'm playing Allies on Historical Difficulty, mid November in the 1922 campaign. I'm still having fun, but mostly because I'm still learning new things and trying new stuff. The 3 times I've encountered IJN BBs or CAs so far they ran away before any major damage could be done by either side. I was hoping once I learned the ropes the AI could give me a more serious challenge on higher levels before I consider moving to PBEM. So far my biggest challenge has been so many unescorted AP and AK targets off Luzon my subs and warships can't intercept them all before running out of ammo.

Exactly. AI does not escort its transports. It's a turkey shoot. And eventually it becomes too easy... regardless of difficulty level.

How much, if anything, has AI captured in your game?

How much, if anything, has AI captured in your game?

I'm almost embarassed to admit this. Bear in mind I went easy on myself since I never played WitP, and I'm using this scenerio as a teaching tool:

Japan has captured Batan Island, all of Luzon except for Manila, Bataan, Lamon Bay and San Marcelino, all of Mindinao except Davao and Cagayan, and Wake Island. Manila, Bataan, and Davao are under seige, but at this time I'm only concerned about possibly losing Davao.

I have recaptured all of southern Luzon, and seized Marcus Island as a forward base. One visit by IJN BBs either in the Philippines or Marcus could really ruin my day - at this point I'm almost wishing they would show up to make things interesting. Although the IJN bombarded Singapore, once, they've made no other agressive moves against anyone else besides the USA, which is why right now I've limited the war exclusively to USA vs. Japan.

So I'll get basically the same game even if I put it on the hardest level?

Actually you've already experienced more than I ever have so I don't know. When I played AI I'd only lose Guam, Vigan, and Aparri...

P.S. Nope, I'd lose Wake too... and that's when it'd usually start, sinking IJN transports in dozens... and then AI goes comatose.

P.P.S. Hardest difficulty.

I am playing a 1922 campaign against the AI where I was able to march my Shanghai troops around and take Port Arthur. Meanwhile I am building up my troops in Manila in an effort to take back the northern PI.
Rysynook, you were a much more fun opponent than the AI! [:)]

Thanks

I'm still deciphering our game to see how come I lost...

I've been contemplating buying this game is it totally dead? Are there any PBEM opponents out there? Just want to know before I lay down some $$$$

There are a few of us having a ball playing the game, and I for one can recommend it if you want a kinder, gentler experience compared to WITP. You don´t have to micromanage everything so much and without airpower dominating the war, the strategy options are much more open.

As for pbem, I am sure there won´t be a problem finding someone, I for one am up for a game [:D]

Tex is a good, deadly opponent

Hey Rysyonok, glad to see you have finally made it back! I am tired of playing the AI.

I've decided I'm gonna buy this game I'm fascinated by the idea of a Jutland of the Pacific possibly occuring [:)]

A finer decision I have never seen [:D] Welcome aboard!

I bought this game as part of the "Victory At Sea" sale that came out to promote AE.
I LOVE AE and have two PBEM games with it going on. I have done nothing with WPO, from what I have read here, its AI sucks. Too bad, interesting period and a lot of really cool ships.

IMHO, the AI ranges from mediocre to OK. I mean, after the first few game months it is not exactly thrill-a-minute, but even if you read the AARs, you'll see that a Pacific War covering 1/3 of the earth's surface, involving dreadnoughts, trench warfare, canvas aircraft, and no radar isn't always like that in PBEM, or would have been in real life, either. My biggest complaint about the AI is it seems to run out if initiative after awhile, though it may still pull off a surprise now and then.

You are very right about the cool ships. [8D]

Ok I bought the game tonight [:D]

I'm playing it. February 1, 2023

I would if I could get it to run.

Have you tried running it in a compatibility mode?

I'd love an opponent.

I purchased this game 20 tears ago and played some small scenarios, but never got into it for several reasons: poor PC performance giving several minutes turn resolution, lack of time due to work and other issues etc. I am now retired and have picked up the game again. I had some maintenaece done on an old PC (win7, i7-2600, 8GB RAM, Geforce GTX 570). The 20 year old game runs perfectly on my 10 year old PC (turn resolution less than 1 min). I am enjoying the game enormously!!

I am playing the 1922 scenario as the US and I can manage the scale of the game (unlike WitP and AE). I love the logistics sending troops, supply and fuel to my bases. I am now in march 1923 and have established major bases in Singapore and Hong Kong and have taken Tinian and Saipan. Planning for attack on Wake. Moved troops in the Phillipines from Clark to Bataan (air bases not so important in 1922). Bombarment war in Bataan and Manila that I will continue as long as the Japanese have higher losses. Although air war isn't as important as in WW2, I managed to launch a successful torpedo attack on an AP from the carrier Argus outside Manila.

Unfortunately I have had some CTD (one early in the game and two at the end of march 1923). Hopefully crashes will not ruin the fun. But as i mentioned, so far I have really been enjoying this game! The next step will be the 1926 scenario and eventually Witp-AE.

Kung Sune

I just bought this game on sale! Started reading the manual... it's a beast.

RedwoodForest wrote: Sun Dec 21, 2025 12:22 am I just bought this game on sale! Started reading the manual... it's a beast.

Me too.

The scenarios, to some extent, reflect the challenges in the Pacific today.