I'm Almost Afraid to Ask, but...

[Treetop64]

..is it worth posting an AAR when playing against the AI? I noticed that all the AARs I've read were those from human vs human games and haven't really noticed any that described games against the AI. I was experimenting on how to present an AAR but have now paused...

Have there been any human vs AI AARs that captured any of your interests?

< EDITED for ugly spelling and grammar. >

[DOCUP]

I've seen one or two started but they just faded away.&nbsp; Try it, it is kinda fun.&nbsp; Who cares if its againist the AI or a person.&nbsp; Its your game to have fun with and do what you want.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

[Cap Mandrake]

How about some pictures of naked women from the 40's for atmosphere, but don't get yourself fired by using the work computer.

[Treetop64]

That won't be too difficult to do, considering I'm unemployed...

Was just worried some might think - or even reply - something along the lines of "Who the f**k cares? You're allied, playing against the computer!&nbsp; S**t, you might even have withdrawals turned off, you f**kin' virgin n00b!"&nbsp; - which I don't, BTW.&nbsp; [:D]

[House Stark]

I think the problem is that once you progress a little, it can be fairly easy to inflict devastating defeats, especially naval ones against the AI. I personally find that I have to limit myself to smaller non "death star" CV groups for instance, because I have never seen more than 3 AI CVs in one place. Granted I haven't made it past August 1942 so I don't know if scripts tell the AI to group their ships better later in the war, but I've noted how it would be fairly easy to pick off their major naval assets for small risk. The AI can surprise, but just as often it can do something incredibly stupid and painful to watch. Note: the AI isn't bad, especially for a game this complicated, in fact it's quite good. But it can quite often get fairly one sided, and thus boring. I also think that completely boring one sided PBEM AARs are somewhat boring and painful to watch, but they are rarer. So unless the AI has incredible advantages built in (like the Ironman scenarios) sooner or later the game will probably devolve into the human player limiting themselves, which might not be too interesting to watch, or the AI losing its entire navy in a series of useless actions, which also might not be too interesting. But if you're AI game happens to be quite interesting, than definitely make an AAR.

[Dan Nichols]

I do know that Andy Mac would like you to do so. He can always use feedback on how the AI performs.

[Graymane]

Play ironman as the Allies. If you are a new player, I don't see why you wouldn't post an AAR. The thing is, experienced players will give you feedback to make your game better so when you are ready to play against a person, you'll be more experienced.

[zuluhour]

Why not? Just don't lose!

[Treetop64]

I was considering playing Ironman.&nbsp; However, I get just a teeny bit inflexible and OC when it comes to the organizational side of things.&nbsp; My LCUs are all structured accordingly and move as a group, more or less, especially in China. I know that in game it technically makes little difference who commands who within the command radius, but it just makes me feel better to have them all formated properly, and IMHO makes it easier to keep track of things on the ground.&nbsp; Also, it gives the game a more authentic feel.

I treat the air groups the same way.

Also, I don't use "gamey" tactics, like creating the early war "Death Star" CV Task Force that Hose Stark mentioned, or massing all troops in a region to defend the most important base in the country.

I wasn't sure if this style of play unnecessarily handicaps the human player in the Ironman scenario, not to mention against another human player!&nbsp; However, I'm only in mid-January 1942 using the standard scenario, so things are still developing.

[zuluhour]

I have no room to talk, Im in my first PBEM and only played a couple of hundred turns (dec-mar 3 times) against the AI, but I would say give the Japs what you can as you already have some pretty good intell, play it as you like, and tell us about it.

[Graymane]

ORIGINAL: Treetop64
I wasn't sure if this style of play unnecessarily handicaps the human player in the Ironman scenario, not to mention against another human player!

Against the AI, how you play is more or less up to you =) You are the one that has to enjoy the game. A lot players like to play that way or even role-play a bit by giving themselves constraints, even against the AI. I like to play around with doing "what ifs". What if Mac was given overall command of the Pacific Theatre? What is they didn't split off SWPAC (say Mac got killed in the PI)? What if King is in charge and isn't going to let you do a Sir Robin?

Against a human, it more or less depends on who you are playing.

[soticrandy]

It could be pretty useful. Letting other people give you feedback would be nice.

Personally I would only make an AAR vs the AI if it was on hard and I was limiting myself. The AI does some strange things sometimes, like send a CVTF into Lunga escorted by 3 DD's against several PT TF's and a strong SCTF.

[PaxMondo]

Agreed, Andy would love to see an AAR against either Ironman.&nbsp; He's actively looking for feedback.

[MBF]

I always find AI AAR's useful to see how the AI fares (as long as the person is not just posting the combat reports which I found tedious and boring as often as not)

[USSAmerica]

I have found writing an AAR helps me notice things that I might have overlooked as I'm putting together my updates.&nbsp; This is one of my biggest motivations for doing it, as much as getting feedback from other players.&nbsp; Go for it!&nbsp;[:)]

[koniu]

ARR is always good.

There is one risk playing against AI. When you start your PBEM one day, you will have many habits from AI game, and i can tell, they are going to be deadly to you.[:D]

koniu

[desicat]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

How about some pictures of naked women from the 40's for atmosphere, but don't get yourself fired by using the work computer.

Cap, Why do you want to see naked pictures of women in their 40's?

[Mac Linehan]

ORIGINAL: Treetop64

I was considering playing Ironman.  However, I get just a teeny bit inflexible and OC when it comes to the organizational side of things.  My LCUs are all structured accordingly and move as a group, more or less, especially in China. I know that in game it technically makes little difference who commands who within the command radius, but it just makes me feel better to have them all formated properly, and IMHO makes it easier to keep track of things on the ground. Also, it gives the game a more authentic feel.I treat the air groups the same way.

Also, I don't use "gamey" tactics, like creating the early war "Death Star" CV Task Force that Hose Stark mentioned, or massing all troops in a region to defend the most important base in the country.

I wasn't sure if this style of play unnecessarily handicaps the human player in the Ironman scenario, not to mention against another human player!  However, I'm only in mid-January 1942 using the standard scenario, so things are still developing.

Treetop64 -

I feel the same way, and try to keep the associated LCU's and Air Units together. It helps to know that I am not alone, and can come out of the closet... <grin>

Mac