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I havent played a whole lot of games yet but...

So far, I have dominated when I've played against the computer AI on an even setting.

But I've really struggled against the computer when I give it a +1

I guess I need a setting half way in between.

How do you guys normally play against the AI in regard to the handicap???

No handicap, but fog of war, no borders, high intelligence.
 
I don't know how Elmer (the PO) performed in previous versions but from what I heard he's come a long way.

I play all the optional rules I guess, Fog of War for sure. I'm not sure what "High Intelligence" is but I think I recall that is what I have my game set on.

I normally let the AI allocate my air missions but sometimes I intervene and order my own sorties.

FOW/no borders/AI +2/high inteliigence

As a general rule no handicap. I feel like if I set a handicap then the computer is cheating...it doesn't make the AI any better.

No 'Handicap/Cheat' for me, it only increases opponent values. Unless I have played a scenario alot and it is no more a challenge, but still fun to play, then I will give the PO a + to make it 'tougher'. I always make the 'Intelligence' strong as I think this gives you the best 'opponent' the computer can offer.

ORIGINAL: Karri

As a general rule no handicap. I feel like if I set a handicap then the computer is cheating...it doesn't make the AI any better.

The computer is cheating on handicap. In fact IIRC the AI is cheating even if there's no handicap. It's only if you put the game on +1 in your favour that you're on even terms.

I KNEW THE BLOODY COMPUTER WAS CHEATING!!!

ORIGINAL: sPzAbt653
I KNEW THE BLOODY COMPUTER WAS CHEATING!!!

Only in minor ways, though, sorry. The chance of a successful re-org is slightly higher, and the possibility of the turn ending earlier is slightly lower, small things like that. It actually doesn't give Elmer any better odds in combat or anything major like that. I ought to go through and catalog those sometime.

Intelligence level, on the other hand, makes a HUGE difference. He's going to be smarter after the next patch too.

Ralph

He's going to be smarter after the next patch too.

Wow. He just keeps getting better. In what way are you improving him now, Ralph?

Ralph taught him to know the difference between Wabbit Season and Duck Season, for starters...

Allrighty then...Maybe you shouldn't drink so much on a Sunday night, James. [:-][:D]

ORIGINAL: Veers

Allrighty then...Maybe you shouldn't drink so much on a Sunday night, James. [:-][:D]

Haha...the whiskey is waiting. Until the noisy ones are bathed, clothed, in bed and asleep though, I'm not intending on wasting good Scotch and its effect...[:D]

ORIGINAL: Veers

He's going to be smarter after the next patch too.

Wow. He just keeps getting better. In what way are you improving him now, Ralph?

Support units should spread out better, he'll try to catch a ship or plane sometimes, if he's stranded and can't get to his destination, he'll try to do a better job of flanking, Artiller should concentrate better, Push forward orders should work better, some other minor tweaks. Unfortunately, you can test it by setting the 'experimentalAI flags to N in the opart 3.ini file. <sigh> Yes, I swapped Y and N, darn it. There's got to be some language where Y is no, and N is Yes. I know that French has Haut for Cold and Chaut for Hot, darn it.

If you swap it, make sure to swap it back after the patch.

Ralph

So you included it in the last patch, but only as an experimental option?
And now it's been tested enough to warrant it's publicity?

ORIGINAL: Veers

So you included it in the last patch, but only as an experimental option?
And now it's been tested enough to warrant it's publicity?

Yes, I'd actually meant for it to be shipped with the experimentalAI on, and people could turn it off, but I got confused about that silly Y/N thingie. It's set to Y right now, but unfortunately, Y means no until the next patch.

It makes a whole lot more sense in C++.[:D]

"French has Haut for Cold and Chaut for Hot, darn it."

Haut means High, actually... cold is "froid" pronounce "frwa" [;)] 

But back to topic hehe... the latest Elmer might be able to do a good job without having to set a handicap level, cuz if I understand it that only gives him a mathematical advantage ...?

And, duh.. that I only now find out about the Y/N switch [:D] (dives into the opart.ini)

ORIGINAL: ralphtrick

ORIGINAL: Veers

So you included it in the last patch, but only as an experimental option?
And now it's been tested enough to warrant it's publicity?

Yes, I'd actually meant for it to be shipped with the experimentalAI on, and people could turn it off, but I got confused about that silly Y/N thingie. It's set to Y right now, but unfortunately, Y means no until the next patch.

It makes a whole lot more sense in C++.[:D]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

ORIGINAL: Silvanski
But back to topic hehe... the latest Elmer might be able to do a good job without having to set a handicap level, cuz if I understand it that only gives him a mathematical advantage ...?

ORIGINAL: Ralph-my-boy
The chance of a successful re-org is slightly higher, and the possibility of the turn ending earlier is slightly lower, small things like that. It actually doesn't give Elmer any better odds in combat or anything major like that.

OK, thanks Wyatt [;)]