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Played as the Axis, on normal level and advanced supply & auto supply. My finding is that on normal difficulty this game is a push-over, Russia by 1942 was completely outnumbering me BUT did not really attack me, Kursk went back and forth between us, I conquered Karelia with Finland and had no units there left but Russia did not advance, this probably cost them land-lease from USA, because I also took the area to the right of Karelia. Many units were hidden behind Moscow and not until 1946 did some advance start, but even then pretty dumb and very careful. Same with USA, they invaded west france 3 times very carefully with only 8-10 infantry and air support, did damage artillery etc and brought down aircraft but they never made it, finally in 1945 they did manage with overwhelming numbers to land, next turn took Netherlands and eastern france, left west france almost undefended, I was able to push them out there and retake Netherlands risking ALL but it worked, next turn I destroyed ALL of the WA material in eastern france, surrounded so they were out for a year at least. Balanced the east after that and then end 1946 hit and decisive victory for me.

Now I am good in these games, I'm a beta for HOI2, but I did many things wrong, overdraft on MP, bad research planning, etc etc and still managed this result without reading the manual (did the tutorials)

I hope level hard does not increase AI attack bonus etc but actually increases its intelligence....?

normal difficulty level is not really meant to be used vs. the AI except as a learning tool IMHO

try custom difficulty: give all opposing faction countries 200 transport and 50 supply and make sure your faction (even if controlled by AI) is set on 100/0.

Normal dificulty actually gives YOU a combat bonus IIRC.

Try a higher difficulty or try Japan using a strategy OTHER than attacking Russia and see how you do.

BTW, coincidentally, I won my first game in HOI2 playing the UK. I think the AI in WAW is much tougher than HOI2.

Well, the AI in WAW would be better being a much simpler game then HOI2, the AI of HOI2 is a constant WIP, so you say you won with the UK, were you on a very hard difficulty level or normal?

ORIGINAL: hendriks

Well, the AI in WAW would be better being a much simpler game then HOI2

Not always. Ever play Axis and Allies? That game is much simpler than WAW and the AI is bloody awfull at any level. In fact, I never lost a single game at any level playing any starting country in that game. Playing against people was a different story however...

As far as HOI2, I won in normal mode. Just like you did in WAW. I also won as Germany and Russia (my personal favorite). I'm sure the game is tougher in higher difficulty levels but I don't think its because the AI is any better. The only game I tried where I didn't win was Australia but that was because I ran out of transport capacity and got bored because I simply couldn't do anything more. I had taken all of Vietnam, Cambodia and half of China by then.

BTW, my favorite part of that game was the modelling of individual ships and keeping track of what ships they sunk. That was very nice. Especially when playing the UK!

I'm still interested in seeing how you do as Japan only (letting AI play Germany) and NOT attacking Russia. I have been so far unable in two attempts to get better than a draw that way. Germany falls fairly quickly and I'm left in the end with about 70 units on the home island holding off the US right up to the bitter end. Even lost my southern Island once but still held on to the main one. When I played Japan with a Russia first strategy it was pretty easy however.

Of course if you want a real game, try PBEM. I'm being crushed in one of those games where I actually managed to lose England as the WA! [X(]

I just finished my first game of WaW. I played the Axis and got beat down by the allies and soviets by the end of 45.


I feel sorry for all you guys and your advanced skills. A so-so AI is usually challenge enough for me. [:D]

ORIGINAL: GordianKnot

BTW, my favorite part of that game was the modelling of individual ships and keeping track of what ships they sunk. That was very nice. Especially when playing the UK!

I love that part of the game. Sometimes you can get attached to a veteran ship that has sent many enemies beneath the waves. In one game as Canada I had an unlikely hero, a light crusier II, that accumiliated a huge body count. My eyes were a little damp when the brave little crusier sank in 45. [:D]

Hendriks,

ORIGINAL: hendriks
Now I am good in these games, I'm a beta for HOI2, but I did many things wrong, overdraft on MP, bad research planning, etc etc and still managed this result without reading the manual (did the tutorials)

Honestly, I think the key is that you are a very good player. Skilled players can overcome mistakes and know when to make big gambles for the chance of victory in otherwise bad circumstances. If you look through the forums, we've seen many more stories from people losing to the AI than from people skilled enough to beat it at first. I think that anyone can beat any AI with enough practice, but the GGWaW AI generally gives players an excellent training tool that challenges them for a few full games at least. Try the harder settings and see how they work for you.

Also, as always, Gary, Keith and Joel are watching and tweaking the AI where they spot any weaknesses. As time goes on, it will run an even tighter game.

Regards,

- Erik

ORIGINAL: GordianKnot

Normal dificulty actually gives YOU a combat bonus IIRC.

Try a higher difficulty or try Japan using a strategy OTHER than attacking Russia and see how you do.

BTW, coincidentally, I won my first game in HOI2 playing the UK. I think the AI in WAW is much tougher than HOI2.

[;)] If I read the manual and look at the game options. Nope, no side receives combat bonus. Any strategic game where the AI isn´t a pushover? I think the AI in WAW treis to do a decent job.

Also, did you ever save and reload? That's one huge human advantage that the AI does not enjoy. I always play in "ironman" mode: no reloading.

In any case, if you want a real challenge, play some PBEM. You can play a head-to-head PBEM game in a couple of weeks or less, depending on how often you turn around turns.

I hope level hard does not increase AI attack bonus etc but actually increases its intelligence....?

Lol, people keep asking for the impossible. An AI never "learns" therefore it cannot become "more intelligent". Harder difficulties have most always given "more resources" and better "starting conditions" to the AI sides, not make them "more intelligent". Better get used to it, even in HOI or HOI 2 or EU or EU2 or any Paradox game it's the same way, the AI just gets more resources and still usually does a pretty crappy job using them. Now, if you want a game with a strong AI on "nomal" find SPARTAN by Slitherine v1.013 version and you'll find a tough AI on "normal difficulty" heh. Most versions sold now are v1.017 (which dumbed down the AI because of the whiners on the official forum saying the AI was too HARD on normal and easy difficulty) lol But, you can download the v1.013 patch and over-ride the v1.017 dumbed down ai. Spartan is one of the few games in the history of computer games that they had to patch the ai to make it "easier"