Matrix Games Forums

I am having no luck with the mission Auto-planner. How does the Auto-Plan missions button work? What is it supposed to do? I activate it and absolutely nothing happens. There is a poor description of how to use it in the manual for playing as the Axis player. It does not make sense and does not work as described. I want to use it as the allied player in BTR. Help?

OK, I have answered my own question. Summarized below is a composite of answers found in these forums...wisdom that should not be lost:
BTW, the "Computer Control" switch referenced below for the 8th and 15th Air Forces is found under the "Set Bomber Targets" button.

Q: Hitting the Auto Plan Missions button doesn't generate any missions. What are the steps to do so? Manual doesn't say.
A: You need to put your commands on Computer Control to use the auto-plot button on the main screen. If you go into the bomber doctrine page you can set computer control there.

You can use the doctrine page buttons to auto-plot missions for one command only without giving the command computer control. You can pick one target, a target location and let the AI decide which to hit, or plot all raids from this screen.

Q: So if you set some commands to computer control they won't plot missions unless you activate auto-plot from the main screen? Auto plot only works for commands on computer control???
A: Yes. Computer control also sets the computer to move/advance units. This might happen without auto-plot. auto-plot missions is separate from, but associated with Computer Control. In Planning mode computer control takes care of the logistics, so you don't have to. Having computer control on and using auto plot does both. You, as the supreme commander, have the right to overrule your staff and add, change or remove AI missions as suits your needs.

Q: So if Auto-plot is on, it will only plot missions for the Headquarters that are controlled by the computer? It will not plot for Human controlled ones?
A: Yup, exactly.

Q: Could someone clarify the process for taking control of 1 air command and leaving the rest to the AI? I assume I have to click on Auto-Plan Missions' on the main page. Do I then need to click 'Set Bomber Targets' and then 'Computer Control' to 'On' for each command I want the AI to look after?
If so, once all those options are set, will the computer plan raids only within the categories selected underneath (area, radar site, primary airfield, etc.) or can it plan any and all raids without me having to worry about giving it further instructions. I.e, can it plan primary airfield raids, and then do oil refineries, U-boat pens, etc.
A: That sounds about right, and yes, you would to go in and change targets yourself every once in a while.

Q: Just purchased the game, and I have a dumb question. Is there any way to just completely automate the RAF night bombing? I just don't have a whole lot of interest in doing it, I am really only interested in the USAAF daylight campaign.

So far I see there is an option to auto-plan ALL missions, and I found an option that says I can auto-plan missions but when I set Bomber Command to computer control nothing seems to happen. It doesn't plan any missions, at least that I can see. If I hit the 'plan all missions' radio button, it seems to plot out a few missions... but then I can click the button again and it will plot out a couple more little missions, and so on and so forth. Is there any way to just automate it?
A: Set BC to computer under the doctrine. For that first turn you will need to click the autoplan button. Pressing it again will pick another target area and attempt an attack if there are enough resources. Once you are past that first turn, BC will plot its own missions at the start of future turns, based on the target type you have selected under doctrine.

Remember though, by not taking part in the night war yourself, you miss an opportunity to manage the attrition of the axis pilots and planes, as the AI isn't as efficient. The night war is a sort of sidebar to the strategic game, but it does assist in your goals...

really useful for noobs like me, thanks