Matrix Games Forums

I started this thread explaining an AI intriguing interface but in fact the problem come from command chain itself.

I have enjoyed playing small scenarios and battles where AI is performing rather well. If i want to play the total battle of Waterloo no doubt i imagine i will have to let friendly AI doing 80% of the job intervening personnaly on some areas unless i play Corps after Corps...
On small scenarios chain of command is reduced so you can play with bataillon even ignoring chain of command.
On big scenarios like Erlon attack (1:30PM for French) or in Sand Box large battles i felt something wrong in command chain. I give orders from high commanders and nothing happens with subordinates (directed or not by AI).

Here is the chain command :
Level 1 : Army General > Level 2 : Corps General > Level 3 : Division General > Level 4 : Brigade Commander > Level 5 : Bataillon

If Level 1 or 2 or 3 commanders give orders (directly or by AI) nothing happens : movements orders or more general orders as "Defend" or "All Out Attack" are ignored by lower levels.

So dont expect to earn better with AI commanders. Finally if you want to play effectively you have to give orders to Level 4 commanders only (with AI or not) and Level 1,2,3 commanders are just here to rally and give moral.

Actually the same problem so with AI controlled in all chain of command (not intuitives parameters to get this settings on a whole corps/army) :
It's not possible to let play your own personnage in the game with AI, that's why he has always the "Yellow Flag" saying it is always taken in charge manually by the player.
At Level 2 if i choose "Take Charge From AI" (flag becoming grey) this change doesn't apply on Levels 3,4 and 5 if i want to give command to AI or to retake it.

When all command chain is under AI commanders if i give a global order (example "All out Attack") from Level 1 or Level 2 Commanders : nothing happens.. same at Level 3.
In fact AI bataillons only move if this global order is given at level 4 AI commander.

In OOB screen when i select a unit i have to precise to go to this unit to change AI settings and doing this for every units...

What i had prefered :

When i give an order "Take Charge from AI" from a superior echelon i expected that inferior Level are evenly taken in charge from AI and inversely (not having to click everywhere on many units).
When all command chain is under AI commanders when i give a general order from Level 1 i expected this order would sent to all other inferiors levels.

Should have been so easy with many less manipulations to set AI or not from OOB screen directly with 1 click.

Moreover this broken chain of command doesn't appear in SOW Gettysburg where higher commanders impact directly on lower commanders (with AI commanders or not). In Gettysburg i just deplore the fact that AI doesn't apply on inferior levels directly.

whats an IA ?? just kidd'n

The level 1,2 and 3 (side,army,corps) uses the same logic of orders assignment of Gettysburg so the AI logic which works for quadrant and tactics order, only in this last game the operational context rarely need to move a full corps as a block. The problem lays when the army is under the player command: corps formations are planned to be done, but I think we will have to do also a new set of couriers orders to permit to trigger for the corps AI the same operational movements requested usually from the army AI.

Thanks for your answer. Gettysburg is finally a very good game even with huge armies i just will wait before playing the biggest scenarios.

Well personally, but is my preference, in big scenarios when the lines are already face to face, like Waterloo, but also Antietam, I prefer always control where send my divisions also if I'm the army commander, in any case they will take the control of their action very soon during the fight, but like this I can give them the direction of attack I prefer and manage my reserves better