AI has it gotten any smarter??

[blitzkreig]

I was playing an early war Poland battle a few weeks ago using an SS force. The AI swam some cavalry over a large lake I was using to protect a flank. Sure surprised me!!! Caused a real pain in the ***! The AI does seem to be a little more "sneaky" in these latest versions using flanking forces more?

If the AI is better on the CD version it would be good to know. I would be very tempted to buy one!

[hveldenz]

I think it is better. Smarter is a hard word to use as to me that requires 'learning'. Until Neural Network systems are part of the AI (big task and wishlist item!) it probably cannot be trained. I have played since SP1/2/3 and earlier versions from Don/Andy/et al (Many props to them and the crew btw!)

My observsations on better AI behaviors as an opponent (in a long campaign):

1. AI Arty targeting smoke/dust/activity clusters (I remember keeping MRLS's by ammo dumps in SP3 and they would NEVER be hit)
2. Feint attacks along an edge - I have to think of protecting the backfield arty/aa units.
3. Better Bunker/fortification placements with coverage.
4. Better opportunity fire targerting algorithms (no routine 'everyone fire on that jeep and become sighted' like in SP1 and SP2)
5. IMHO excellent use of HMG positions, including timing of fire (I have had more than I care to admit inf casualties from the British Vickers in the desert!)
6. No immediate abandoning of positions just because an objective or two has fallen.

My opinion of lesser behaviors/things I do not think are good in the AI (and I know some of these are difficult to fix):
1. Weenie tank overload force mixes, but this is unavoidable I guess if I play Ger-Pol 1939 with "AI heavy tank". I guess I am still waiting to see T-34s in more than 2-3 total numbers, now in 6/42 in USSR vs. my Wehrmacht.
2. Heavy AA force mixes (if someone can tell me the amount of AA per company or battalion attachment - I would be happy to learn).
3. The occasional Monster Arty packs from the AI buyouts. I still remember a British approx 4000 pt force in a meeting engagement having 8 25#, 6 5.5in batteries and still had a load of mortars (sorry Don - never did save that one like I said before.)

I think the AI and its algorithms have been a major improvement along each step of the way.

Props to the crew again.

[PanzerBob]

Good day all,

I guess it could be just me because I've keeping a closer eye on what's going out in my actions because of my AAR thread. It seems to have bought a whole new aspect to the game, perhaps an even more human edge to my "enemy". It's certainly fired my imagination up, to all those responsible, Thanks yet again.

Eternal War(gaming) PanzerBob

[chuckfourth]

Hi hveldenz
"tell me the amount of AA per company or battalion attachment?"
Very little usually none,
Check out
http://orbat.com/site/ww2/drleo/
and
http://www.bayonetstrength.150m.com/...l/site_map.htm
But Generally
For infantry most Battalions were happy with an AA MG or two. The 50 cal for instance is actually issued to infantry as an AA asset. Once dug in infantry is pretty much immune to air anyway. Vehicles are a very different matter. Tanks in particular are expensive and so you begin to see much more AA in armoured formations. But again for armies with air superiority ie late war American and British for instance AA would be a very low priority just the opposite for the Germans of course.
A lot of AA will be allocated to the rear area anyway, in particular bridges, HQs, supply dumps, supply lines, airfields etc. So divisional and corps level AA assets may not appear at the front line but will be used to defend divisional or Corps type assets.
Best Regards Chuck.

[PanzerBob]

Thanks for the links, Chuck

Eternal War(gaming) PanzerBob

[valo2000]

the ai seems to use a lot of flanking also.
when he attacks along a road and gets ambushed it moves of the road and advances on the side of it. but that may only because the wrecks on the road cost to much movement.