is aircraft worth it?

[Imp]

Originally Posted by Suhiir

I'd like to see the AI buy perhaps half as many MANPADs as it usually does. Course I'd also like to see the AI not buy an arty battery for every inf bn as well

As to friendly MANPADs...I upped the number of missiles from 2 to 4 on my teams, but left their ROF at 2...this doesn't effect their cost much and makes them twice as effective so I can keep the number of friendly ones down to a "realistic" number.

My thought is that if the opposition air threat was as severe as the AI's tends to be when it sends in the 6-10 airfraft runs it favors chances are extra missiles would be on-hand so its "reasonable" rather then "cheating".

Then again...it's easy to rationalize anything that gives you the player an advantage...isn't it?

I think you have given the answer to your wish, why does the AI buy so many MANPADS? Probably because players tend to use air attacks & helos way more than they should. Sort of represents the fact that if they know air is in the area forces will be sent to counter. Also what are the chances generaly of just 2 planes in a support role I would have thought if the target warranted it they would be sent in force, probably makes any escorts job easier to if the skies are hostile.

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by Imp

I think you have given the answer to your wish, why does the AI buy so many MANPADS? Probably because players tend to use air attacks & helos way more than they should. Sort of represents the fact that if they know air is in the area forces will be sent to counter. Also what are the chances generaly of just 2 planes in a support role I would have thought if the target warranted it they would be sent in force, probably makes any escorts job easier to if the skies are hostile.

To an extent I'd agree with you.
If you were fighting Russians, China, or most western nations I'd say your totally correct.
But Somalia, Bosnia, etc. ?

As to the amount of air support a player uses I'll admit that since I often play the USMC I do have a lot of helo's and aircraft...but they do rely much more very heavily on air support that any other national army in the world. A one battalion MEU has 4+ attack helos and 6+ aircraft in direct support. And I've seen a similar ratio in a good many of the non-USMC scenarios in the game.

So yes I do see why the AI "needs" a large number of MANPADs...doesn't mean I have to like it tho !

Originally Posted by Mobhack

When examining the available planes or attack helos, don't look at the weapons load that much - first thing to look at is which ones have the highest EW, and then if they have stand-off weaponry. Then examine the enemy equipment for the date, and see if you have a decent chance against the enemy SAM and radar AAA (your EW is at least equal or preferably much better).

Andy

As Andy says EW rating makes a HUGE difference, and stand-off weapons really do make aircraft much more survivable. But of course these also seem to be the two of the three things that most effect the cost of aircraft (their "vision" is the third BTW).

So, as in all things WinSPMBT...if you want "better" you have to pay for it.