I hope the tank AI gets another overhaul

[PKH]

That's what makes me stop playing this game every time I decide to try it again. Even with the update which was released it is still a nightmare imo.
In particular:
- The resolution on placement of tanks is a bit too low imo, but I can live with that. The issue is that after having placed the tank roughly where I want it, the first thing it does when the game starts is to reposition itself.
- When reversing a tank, it will almost always change heading 180 degrees after stopping.
- Tanks can barely drive 15m straight without stopping, turning around, presenting their sides and rear to the enemy. Tanks need to be aware that heading matters, and the pathing needs to plan further ahead.

[ComradeP]

Hmm, so that issue wasn't fixed with the update? In that case I probably won't buy the game if it still isn't fixed in Panthers in the Fog.

I'm not sure if the terrain is actually build-up from smaller parts or terrain nodes or something like that which can't be entered from certain directions (that could explain the AI's preference for zig-zagging/diagonal movement from time to time). This is the only series where I see so many units not move in a line even if there's a straight line between them and their destination.

I do hope that, if it really still doesn't work in some instances, there will be more changes because I would not be amused if I buy the game and my tanks get stuck for minutes on the first ford they encounter because the movement AI's incompetent for some terrain types like in CoI.

[Pvt_Grunt]

ORIGINAL: ComradeP

I'm not sure if the terrain is actually build-up from smaller parts or terrain nodes or something like that which can't be entered from certain directions (that could explain the AI's preference for zig-zagging/diagonal movement from time to time). This is the only series where I see so many units not move in a line even if there's a straight line between them and their destination.

Terrain is made up of many elements, each with their own properties. Some are passable by vehicles, some are not. If there is a gap of 3 or less passable elemants between 2 inpassable ones a tank will not go. Sounds good BUT, the image you see may look like the tank has enough room, but the coding behind the image may block the vehicle.

This causes a lot of angst for players where it LOOKS like a tank will fit on a bridge, but the tank AI doesnt see the image, only the coding underneath.

[SapperAstro_MatrixForum]

I had problems with the vehicles when I first played Close Combat games, but quickly got used to 'planning' my tanks route with multiple waypoint dots.

As for the '180 degree change' after stopping, I cured this by issuing a 'defend' order with the direction specified right from the word go. After pressing the start button, occasionally the tank will move just a little but then stop and point in the correct direction.