Matrix Games Forums

Hi all,

Anyone played grand campaign 1941-1945 vs. AI lately (since latest Gary's changes)?


During recent testing we saw some interesting [:)] things regarding AI and we would like to get some info from you guys as well... [:D]


BTW, please post whether you played against AI using 100% vs. 100% settings or you gave AI 110% (i.e. to create more challenging game since AI is doing much better using 110% settings)!


Leo "Apollo11"

Yes, I started a Grand Campaign when the 1.5 patch came out and have been updating with all the beta's. In the 1.50.39 version the Ai seems to be more aggressive, which I like. The patch came out during the first winter of my game so not 100% sure if it's due to just being winter or the changes.

The AI, at least the Axis one, has become steadily more aggressive since 1.04, which is a good thing most of a the time, although it's very bad at restoring supply to isolated units it seems. I also still have strong suspicions that it still gets some movement benefits.

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: Commanderski

Yes, I started a Grand Campaign when the 1.5 patch came out and have been updating with all the beta's. In the 1.50.39 version the Ai seems to be more aggressive, which I like. The patch came out during the first winter of my game so not 100% sure if it's due to just being winter or the changes.

Thanks for info!

BTW, we would also like to see if someone recently started the grand campaign 1941-1945 using WitE v1.05.39 or v1.05.40 where Gary's AI fixes were introduced so that the AI can use it since the scenario start...


Leo "Apollo11"

I've just started (turn 5) a German campaign at challenging with .39. Nothing to say yet, but I'll update here once the AI has a chance to respond properly.

Assuming it's looking a bit stronger I may well have another go at playing and AARing the Soviets on Impossible, however I only barely survived 41 last time round.

Gaia needs to be told not to place HQ's alone in a hex next to a supplied enemy hex.

Hi all,

Thanks guys!


Leo "Apollo11"

I have a GC 41 vs Axis AI set at 110% (Soviets at 100%) - currently in turn 30 - started with 1.05.39. What would you like to know? I can't compare it myself because I have never been the Soviets vs the AI in a GC before.

In the current game - I have managed to hold the Axis to the Luga River line in AGN, just past Smolensk (retook Smolensk during mud in a counter attack from the south), and managed to hold Kiev and Odessa (cut off) in AGS - with a great Soviet defense of Zhitmer which never fell.

The AI is more aggressive than earlier versions. It does tend to goof up with HQs occasionally and still the occasional hole in the line - which has led to my counterattack in the mud. BUT - the Axis line is VERY solid during the Blizzard and I have only been able to push the frontlines back about two or three hexes except against the Axis Allied troops in the south.

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: carlkay58

I have a GC 41 vs Axis AI set at 110% (Soviets at 100%) - currently in turn 30 - started with 1.05.39. What would you like to know? I can't compare it myself because I have never been the Soviets vs the AI in a GC before.

In the current game - I have managed to hold the Axis to the Luga River line in AGN, just past Smolensk (retook Smolensk during mud in a counter attack from the south), and managed to hold Kiev and Odessa (cut off) in AGS - with a great Soviet defense of Zhitmer which never fell.

The AI is more aggressive than earlier versions. It does tend to goof up with HQs occasionally and still the occasional hole in the line - which has led to my counterattack in the mud. BUT - the Axis line is VERY solid during the Blizzard and I have only been able to push the frontlines back about two or three hexes except against the Axis Allied troops in the south.

Great - this is exactly what I inquired about - thanks! [:)]

Please keep us posted (and, perhaps, post some frontline screenshots)...


Leo "Apollo11"

Hi all,

BTW, what are exactly the AI HQ goofs that several of you are referring too?

Placing lone HQs in improper places near enemy?


Leo "Apollo11"

ORIGINAL: Apollo11

Hi all,

BTW, what are exactly the AI HQ goofs that several of you are referring too?

Placing lone HQs in improper places near enemy?


Leo "Apollo11"

See pic in my post above. It's from start of Soviet turn 1 and the AI has placed a lone Axis HQ 3 hexes from Riga, vulnerable to displacement.
This could be a scripted move and not the AI.

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: gingerbread

ORIGINAL: Apollo11

BTW, what are exactly the AI HQ goofs that several of you are referring too?

Placing lone HQs in improper places near enemy?

See pic in my post above. It's from start of Soviet turn 1 and the AI has placed a lone Axis HQ 3 hexes from Riga, vulnerable to displacement.
This could be a scripted move and not the AI.

The initial turn(s) are made via script... that is correct...


Leo "Apollo11"

I don't think we have a script working for the Soviets in this scenario, so I don't think that's the issue with the HQ.

I'm on turn 17 as Soviet in a 41GC started post latest patch. I am using custom difficulty, me all 100's AI all 120's random weather. It has been as much fun as being the Soviets in summer 41 can be.

The AI has been very effective, I thought I was going to loose Leningrad and Moscow (may still if he gets snow in October). It has Leningrad surrounded, and I'm holding the last port behind the major river to the east (volkov?) It got with in 50 miles of Moscow before I could solidify a defense, now it is pushing around to the north. In the south, with no Lvov pocket, I was able to hold the Dnper (with Kiev) and the bend to north until I chose to back off on turn 16. I'm attempting to unbalance him (the AI) by pulling him into poor supply before mud, and need him out of his forts and in poor supply before Blizzard.



It has not successful encircled any big pockets since turn one. It does try to surround, but it has tendency to route the surrounded unit same turn.

If you can build a strong enough defense it changes directions, which is good in a "hit em where they ain't" way. It might allow for maneuvering the AI in 42.

As someone mentioned it does not prioritize recovering surrounded units. I bagged a panzer and SS motorized div that stuck their neck out to far. I had a minor river and three rows of units all under 3 CV between the surrounded stack and a full panzer stack, and the AI went off and did something else, allowing me to eliminate the two units.

I'll start posting stuff in the AAR channel, I'll update my 44GC vs AI thread, it be my WITE blog.
tm.asp?m=2939540

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: Joel Billings

I don't think we have a script working for the Soviets in this scenario, so I don't think that's the issue with the HQ.

Joel, I think that he was referring to German AI moving German HQs...


Leo "Apollo11"

Yes the Axis AI is somewhat sloppy in moving and covering its HQ. It is MUCH better than it used to be in protecting airfields. I used to trash airfields pretty easily in 1.03 (never did play very much against the AI in 1.05).

I plan on putting together an AAR of my game - I have every turn saved at the start and finish of the Soviet turns. Just going to require some time to do so - maybe during the holidays (if I get any!).

Oops, my mistake. Yes, the German HQ move is no doubt scripted.

Here's the front line trace from the last blizzard turn in Feb 42. 41GC started post latest patch. I am using custom difficulty, me all 100's AI all 120's random weather.

I was unable to relieve Leningrad, pretty worried about it because the units get almost no replacements and with the lake frozen I couldn't boat new units in to replace the attrited units.

I retook Rzhev and cleared the east bank of the upper Volga.

He was 4 or 5 hexes from Moscow and I pushed him back about 5 hexes to the edge of the forest east of Vyazma.

I pushed him back to the river bend in the area north and east of Kiev, but think he will blow me right back off before the river melts.

Was able to make good progress in AGS area due to all the weak Romanians. Have Rifle Bde's digging in every hex along the Dnepr, I hope to hide behind it for most of the summer.

I was only able to pocket a total of two Panzer and four Infantry divisions during the blizzard.

The AI made select attacks during blizzard when I left low strength units out front.

Be interesting to see what he does this summer.

Hi all,

Nice - thanks!

Just keep it coming guys... [:)]


Leo "Apollo11"

You might want to take a look at the attrition model and static units. It seems like units in static mode are not getting replacements. Every division was down to around 50%, the four naval brigades on the Finnish border north of Leningrad were down to 16%. Units not set static were around 70%.