1914 AI and MGs

Mike Bowen · 06-17-2010, 08:32 PM,

Whilst I have not had a massive amount of experience yet of play with the AI it does seem that it has a tendancy when it is withdrawing to leave its MGs behind deployed which makes them easy meat for the attacker.

Any way this can be tweaked so it at least puts them in T mode?

Mike

Volcano Man · 06-18-2010, 06:12 AM,

Ok, I will check it out and pass it along.

FM WarB · (This post was last modified: 06-18-2010, 10:24 AM by FM WarB.)

Leaving machinegun companies (french) behind, while you withdraw the battalions may be a useful tactic!

(06-18-2010, 10:23 AM)FM WarB Wrote: Leaving machinegun companies (french) behind, while you withdraw the battalions may be a useful tactic!

two gun Platoons

Volcano Man · (This post was last modified: 06-18-2010, 03:36 PM by Volcano Man.)

Ok, I just tested it and the AI does seem to move the MG units just fine (it enters T mode and moves, then deploys again at destination). Is there some other behavior going on? If so, then please email me a .btl file and I will have a better look at it.

One thing could be simply that the unit itself does not have an AI order for that turn, and if you have broken or badly crippled the infantry unit in the organization then it will probably naturally fall back, but the MG unit might be in good condition and so it holds its ground. Not sure what could be done about that as it will just wait until the AI order "activates" it.

BTW: my email is

volcano (at) esimgames {dot} com

Nitram Draw · 06-18-2010, 10:15 PM,

Are the MG units connected to a specific infantry unit for AI movement orders?
What I see, particularly on the Allied side, is an infantry and MG unit are in a hex. The infantry gets broken and retreats but the MG unit remains in the hex and no new infantry unit moves in, even if there are plenty available. It is then easy to overrun the MG unit.
Another thing I've noticed is the AI tends to stack MG and Artillery units together and the infantry units together.I've seen 3-4 MG units and 3-4 artillery units in the same hex and 2-3 infantry units in the hex right next to it. Now that might not be bad in rear areas but not on the front lines!

Mike Bowen · 06-19-2010, 02:06 AM,

VM

The main instance I noticed this was the Nancy Scenario the French Infantry pulled back the MGs sat there and got eaten. This may be scenario specific. The battle has moved on so I can not send a file I will try and remember to run it again and see.

By the way and I am doing this from memory what is the difference between the battle of the Muese scen and the next one they look very similar?

Regards

Mike[/i]

Volcano Man · (This post was last modified: 06-19-2010, 04:27 AM by Volcano Man.)

(06-18-2010, 10:15 PM)Nitram Draw Wrote: Are the MG units connected to a specific infantry unit for AI movement orders?
What I see, particularly on the Allied side, is an infantry and MG unit are in a hex. The infantry gets broken and retreats but the MG unit remains in the hex and no new infantry unit moves in, even if there are plenty available. It is then easy to overrun the MG unit.
Another thing I've noticed is the AI tends to stack MG and Artillery units together and the infantry units together.I've seen 3-4 MG units and 3-4 artillery units in the same hex and 2-3 infantry units in the hex right next to it. Now that might not be bad in rear areas but not on the front lines!

MG units are part of their respective infantry brigades. So where the brigade goes, it is supposed to go.

The behavior you describe is typical for the AI. I am not sure what can be done about this -- this is just one of those AI specific wonderful behaviors. It is of course why you would warm up and learn the rules of the game by playing the AI, but only really get challenged against a human (or by playing yourself solitaire). There are just certain things the AI does that well, is characteristic of "artificial intelligence". Nothing can substitute for *actual* intelligence.

Speaking of solitaire, I recommend that people not overlook Hotseat mode as a method to play it solitaire for a good challenge.

(06-19-2010, 02:06 AM)Mike Bowen Wrote: By the way and I am doing this from memory what is the difference between the battle of the Muese scen and the next one they look very similar?

I am not sure what you mean. By "Meuse scenario" do you mean Charleroi or Dinant?