Enemy - Divisional - Brigade - Spacing!

[garyknowz]

Excellent work, daVinci!

My only concern would be that, although it might be messy and ahistorical, the AIs ability to swarm is one its most potent assets. I wonder if removing that will tilt the balance too much in favor of the human player whose command control is much more dynamic. Any thoughts?

[Marching Thru Georgia]

garyknowz wrote:

My only concern would be that, although it might be messy and ahistorical, the AIs ability to swarm is one its most potent assets. I wonder if removing that will tilt the balance too much in favor of the human player whose command control is much more dynamic. Any thoughts?

I don't think you have much cause to worry. I just spent yesterday testing this new behavior. To say the least, the human player will need to adjust his tactics...significantly. This is a flanking machine. The AI deploys in a much more linear fashion. It reminds me of Frederick's Prussians. As a result, the AI really extends the flanks. In a couple of sandbox games, the AI wrapped around my flanks and completely overwelmed me. And I was playing in eye of god mode. Commanding from the saddle will be a very uncomfortable location.

[garyknowz]

garyknowz wrote:

My only concern would be that, although it might be messy and ahistorical, the AIs ability to swarm is one its most potent assets. I wonder if removing that will tilt the balance too much in favor of the human player whose command control is much more dynamic. Any thoughts?

I don't think you have much cause to worry. I just spent yesterday testing this new behavior. To say the least, the human player will need to adjust his tactics...significantly. This is a flanking machine. The AI deploys in a much more linear fashion. It reminds me of Frederick's Prussians. As a result, the AI really extends the flanks. In a couple of sandbox games, the AI wrapped around my flanks and completely overwelmed me. And I was playing in eye of god mode. Commanding from the saddle will be a very uncomfortable location.

Sounds great! Could you please post some screens of this new behavior?

The crux of my concern was that the AI would focus so much on maneuvering that it would end up attacking piecemeal. But I suppose if brigade commanders aren't waiting until the last moment to redeploy, then it should work out well.

[Marching Thru Georgia]

garyknowz wrote:

The crux of my concern was that the AI would focus so much on maneuvering that it would end up attacking piecemeal. But I suppose if brigade commanders aren't waiting until the last moment to redeploy, then it should work out well.

The AI attack plans haven't changed. At times the AI will attack piecemeal, one brigade at a time, and others, he will assemble a very large force and then advance. The new spacing doesn't change that. But it does lengthen the battlefield. I have found that now there is a moment of dread as the AI marches a brigade or two past the end of my line and deploys. That's a bad time to realize that my reserves are too far away to help out. My favorite tactic use to be to wait till the AI committed his troops and then respond. He usually gave me plenty of time to support my flank. Now that course is less than sound.

[Davinci]

The crux of my concern was that the AI would focus so much on maneuvering that it would end up attacking piecemeal.

Hey, G , this is why I designed an OOB that will give the AI several more brigades than I have. I try to plan out a Campaign-type-Single-Player game.

After the Patch comes out, and Norb gets some free-time, I’m going to try to talk him into putting a Supply-Wagon hold option.
Something that will prevent any supply- wagon from moving!
This will create lulls in the battle, and create a sort of line-of-communications.

The new spacing doesn't change that. But it does lengthen the battlefield. I have found that now there is a moment of dread as the AI marches a brigade or two past the end of my line and deploys.

This really does sound great, and should enhance the Single-Player-Game, a lot!

davinci