Matrix Games Forums

I've experienced the most striking example of carrier TF mishandling from the AI. I was playing the Turning point scenario sending my battered six CV TFs to Lunga, trying to avoid the IJN 12 CV TF which was patrolling the area. As I was playing a saved game, I knew that if the 12 CVs stayed together in the same hex I wouldn't stand a chance in the confrontation, but I risked it nonetheless. As my CVs arrived in Lunga I suddenly noticed that an enemy six CV TF had split from the main one and suddenly took a turn into range of my bombers from PM. The latter immediately attacked the TF inflicting some damage, but at that point I knew that I could go for it. In effect my carriers sent wave after wave of bombers and sank the whole fleet, both the TF off Shortlands and the one coming after from behind Munda (8 CVs and 3 CVLs sunk). Apparently the AI tried a diversion move to protect a transport TF it was sending to Shortlands and lost the campain in just one battle.

I've sunk three US carriers docked in Port Moresby in the South Pacific scenario. Felt kind of dirty doing it, but the AI just left them there, disbanded and docked. I port attacked and airfield attacked with heavy bombers until the place was shut down, then sent in a bombardment TF to finish them off. A few 14 inch shells into the flight deck put those two out of their misery..

On the other hand, at one point two US CVs rampaged all the way north of Rabaul, their CAP hacking down all the LBA I sent at it. Which was an okay move, until they'd lost so many Wildcats that Shokaku and Zuikaku were basically able to sink them with no opposition.

The more and more I hear about the AI, the more I'll just stick to PBEM.

I'm sure it's a good AI, as far as it goes. But if NASA can't put on together, you can't expect these guys to. [;)]