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I've been running some SP Grand Campaigns while making my way, using PBEM, through the shorter scenarios. My main goal, apart from having fun, is to try and see how things slot together (have already spotted the potential for the Soviets to run low on CVs in early 1942 and the need to manage arnaments in a game I abandoned in May 42). Now this time, all summer and early autumn I have been very impressed by the AI. Its pulled off encirclements and twice made a massive switch of focus of attack in order to outflank a defense line, but its now got itself into a mess having been too aggressive ... I think.

So here's the settings I am using:



I sort of worked that out by trial and error starting with 'hard' but adjusting the Soviet values to 100 (prefer to play without malus so as to gain a feel).

Now here's the situation, turn 14 on the Northern and North West Fronts:




The key is the AI, which has been casual about its flanks all game, has abandoned the Volkhov line completely (I've done some recon flights and there is nothing there) in order to prioritise that breakthrough in the southern sector (its done much the same in the Ukraine, but a bit less dramatic).

In more detail, this is the Volkhov:



and this is its breakthrough



Now the reality of course is I can seriously isolate all that lot in a turn, not just with a one hex screen that will be quickly bounced out of the way but to the point where their entire AGN is doomed.

I don't want a short game so happy enough to roll things back a turn or two. I noticed in my last test, the AI does seem to overdo narrow deep penetrations - which is good, up to a point - so its not just the settings I've picked. But this is more radical, so the main question is how can I adjust back the settings so I feel seriously threatened but the AI is saved from its own aggressive tendencies?

Turn before, it had a decent screen along the Volkhov and the breakthrough was running into the treacle of a mass of 1CV formations.

The AI has a habit of concentrating for the offensive. It will expose its flanks in order to increase its "punch". You have the Morale level boosted so high that the AI figures whatever you do to it, it will undo and smack you for it in the next turn. Continue your game as it is and try to smack it and you will be interested in the results. I am not saying that the AI will recover all the way, but the reaction is sometimes very interesting and you may learn something new.

If you will try to advance next turn you will see German screen again. at this difficulty level AI can penetrate 4 rows of units easily. I tried have created pockets several times and AI broke them easily next turn.