Matrix Games Forums

Why does the AI STILL lead attacks with artillery and HQ??????

By artillery do you mean the supporting Infantry guns, Bn mortars, or the big regimental Howitzers? A lot of work has been done to improve on this but there are still some instances where this occurs apparently.

From what I've seen, what happens is sometimes the result of the line coys retreating or routing away after an unsuccessful assault leaving the rear area HQ and mortars exposed. Also the line coys see most of the action and fatigue quicker, thus resting/halting/retreating more often. So sometimes the less fatigued HQ and supporting mortars continue too far forward when they should stop. Sometimes I've seen the AI get disoriented and will place what appears to be a reverse formation.

There's a lot going on in a battle for such a cognitive AI to take it all in and get right in every instance, it's amazing it performs as well it does.

I found the mortars and MG coy's get far to close to the enemy during attack...sometimes they are OK but other times they are wiped out very quickly because they are too far forward instead of seeking good terrain at a decent distance...

It would be good if you could do a save and give more details. I have been playing HTTR, COTA and now BFTB and honestly I can't remember that many instances where the arty or HQ led an attack. Sometimes, the mortar units attached to battalions may, once in a while, come to close for comfort to the enemy. But that also happened in real-life, and it's really happening not that many times in COTA, and not at all - so far - in BFTB.

ORIGINAL: BK6583

Why does the AI STILL lead attacks with artillery and HQ??????

I doesn't happen to me, anymore.

Some of this has been solved in the latest patch, Dave dixit.

I'm almost sure you're running the latest and greatest, but just in case ...

ORIGINAL: BK6583

Why does the AI STILL lead attacks with artillery and HQ??????

Yep, I have seen the same thing! Order a battalion to attack a town and the arty/mortar and HQ will advance toward the town. Even when it is in range. [&:]

I started a thread about the AI because I found the 28th division HQ attack Marnach in the Road to Bastogne scenario. Like what the ... ?

Oh, I have the latest patch.

Uh huh see! I knew this game didn't have an $80 AI!

ORIGINAL: Capt Cliff

Yep, I have seen the same thing! Order a battalion to attack a town and the arty/mortar and HQ will advance toward the town ...

If the intent is to assault/attack, isn't the player supposed to create a form-up point first, and then click on the objective?

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

ORIGINAL: Capt Cliff

Yep, I have seen the same thing! Order a battalion to attack a town and the arty/mortar and HQ will advance toward the town ...

If the intent is to assault/attack, isn't the player supposed to create a form-up point first, and then click on the objective?

Hi,

Not necessarily......... if you don't specify a FUP your AI subordinate will. That may include it deciding to FUP right on the spot and attacking from there.

Rob.

What I observed in the Demo scn:

Once or twice the HQ and Mortar were the only non-retreating elements from an assault - they briefly ended up in front of the rest of their formation as a result, but the application of artillery and the renewed assault by the rallied line units sorted that out without any untoward effect.

I did see the HQ advance to an attack on its own once, but it was the only unfatigued element, all others were exhausted and failed to move. The attack commenced because sufficient line units were included, but they all dropped out immediately and allow stragglers was on... I've not played BFTB often enough to see if this doesn't happen with stragglers off, the HQ should then wait for all subordinates before commencing? Maybe the straggler's check should halt the support units if the attack has no line units remaining after the stragglers have dropped out.

ORIGINAL: Deathtreader

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

ORIGINAL: Capt Cliff

Yep, I have seen the same thing! Order a battalion to attack a town and the arty/mortar and HQ will advance toward the town ...

If the intent is to assault/attack, isn't the player supposed to create a form-up point first, and then click on the objective?

Hi,

Not necessarily......... if you don't specify a FUP your AI subordinate will. That may include it deciding to FUP right on the spot ...

But you also risk the AI putting the FUP on the wrong spot; the tutoral recommends designating an FUP, otherwise you're taking your chances.

Unless the objective is distant and I want the AI to choose its own route to it, I often designate the FUP, esp. if the unit is close to enemy lines.

If I'm attacking with two or more battalions sometimes I dont set an FUP as I like to watch the AI flank or surround the enemy as it attacks form different directions if you don't set an FUP...it looks superb....all depends on the situation...