Matrix Games Forums

Oh esteemed and knowledgeable members of this Forum, I have a question.

Does the difficulty scale (easy, historic, etc) impact the strategic decisions the AI makes in any way? I know it impacts the combat results, but does it make the AI go from say a General Pope to Sherman?
I've played a number of scenarios, and particularly scenario 17 twice, once as easy then historical, and both as Allies.

I've noticed that the AI for both easy and historical tended to move the same. Both go after GG, both try for Lunga, etc. For instance: no Long range cap protection for there convoys. Both difficulty scales insisted on sailing AP/AK's into range of my LB bombers with not attempt at aircover. I know long range cap is iffy at best, but I should have at least run into it once- NOPE. I had assumed that the easy level was doing this on purpose, and on historic level this wouldn't happen, but it does.

Also, as another example, I've noticed that the AI won't move planes into Lae or Gasmata or establish/use airbases in Bougainville even when there are bases forces already at those hexes.. Even when Rabaul has 200+ planes. To me it would be sound strategy to set up bases at Munda, Buin, etc, to act as a buffer to the allied drive up the slot. I even went to far as to go into a saved game and moved planes into Lae and ensured it was supplied. I didn't attack them, just let em be.. Lo and behold 2 days later they were moved back to Rabaul by the AI. I know PBEM would be a totally different ballgame. And just to set the record straight, I enjoy immensely this game. I'm not bashing it. Just want to know if I set the scale higher will some of the AI's strategic "blunders" go away.

I think you are seeing limitations in the AI, and nothing to do with the difficulty setting.

Sounds like you are ready for a little PBEM.

Hi I think in the long scenarios the AI has two choices. First toward PM the second torward Lunga. There might be third where it goes for both.

Who was Pope?

Hi, Maj Gen John Pope was given command of a newly formed army of Virginia around Washington, DC during the summer of 1862. He had commanded a smaller Army in the West where he had won a battle on the Mississippi (He captured Island #10) Because of some proclamations he issued He made the mistake of becoming one of the few Union officers Gen Lee took a personal dislike to. Because he was given command of troops that Maj Gen GB McClellan expected to command as part of his Army of the Potomac in his attempt on Richmond he got very little support from the AOP. (Mac was supposed to be transferring his men to Pope but he sat on them instead.) When the Confederates defeated him in the 2nd Battle of Bull Run he was sent to Minnesota to fight the Sioux and General McClellan was again placed in complete command. Later one of Macs friends Maj Gen Fitz-John Porter was court martial for not following Popes orders. (it was reversed in the 1880s)
Pope is famous for starting all his dispatches with "Headquarters in the saddle"
It was said he kept his Headquarters where his hindquarters belonged"