Improved AI

[Zhivago]

I have been playing the DLC campaigns yet again (currently in midst of DLC 41), and I wanted to tip my hat to the devs for tweaking up the AI. One noticeable thing I have encountered is how Russian towed AA, at least their heavy towed AA model (can't recall the name) now acts like the German 88--going from an AA killer, to a tank killer, and back. Previously, I cannot recall the Russian towed AA switching like this. I have to be very careful on how I approach them for attack. If it is position to be used as an AT gun one turn, the next turn it is blasting at one of my air units. I love it! There is also a more judicious use of artillery by the AI. It's still not perfect, but it is getting better and better.

[ThvN]

The ability of the AI using the switching function is new for 1.10, so yes, is correct you can not recall that 85mm Soviet M1939 AA gun switching before... And this gun is just a warm-up. Later on, the SU-76, SU-122 and ISU-152 will be switching as well.

The reason why the AI artillery is so much better in 1.10 is that the AI now often actually uses their attack before other units take their turn. Previously the AI artillery fired after all other units had moved/fired, so they would be far less effective.

Hope this helps to explain what you describe.

[Zhivago]

The ability of the AI using the switching function is new for 1.10, so yes, is correct you can not recall that 85mm Soviet M1939 AA gun switching before... And this gun is just a warm-up. Later on, the SU-76, SU-122 and ISU-152 will be switching as well.

The reason why the AI artillery is so much better in 1.10 is that the AI now often actually uses their attack before other units take their turn. Previously the AI artillery fired after all other units had moved/fired, so they would be far less effective.

Hope this helps to explain what you describe.

It does. Thanks!

[4kEY]

Yup, it's awesome. I first noticed the AI improvement when it did something I noticed more on a level of instinct that it'd never done before. I can sense when something is out of the ordinary, certainly regarding Panzer Corps. I play alot.

[krugec]

That pesky AI is very dangerous now, when he switches those nasty guns to AA or anti tank mode. However I noticed the AA guns switch to anti-tank mode when your units get into close range (1-2 hexes) to defend itself.

[fsx]

I wondered first time about the AI-progress bar runs twice. Its a part of the improvement of the AI.
I had a situation my unit retrait after an attack. Then could a 3th run would kill this unit.

[Zhivago]

I have been playing the DLC campaign, from 1939 forward since downloading the new 1.10 patch. I'm currently at the Sevastopol assault in 1942. I have been playing the FM level as I usually do, but I can definitely tell there has been a definite strengthening of the AI. It also seems that some scenarios have more enemy units then I remember. Also, some of the scenarios that I could sweep through with a DV with turns to spare I am just making it under the wire. It also seems like new model German equipment comes a little later on then it used to, which also makes things more challenging. I continue to be impressed with the changes in the 1.10 patch thus far.

[Kamerer]

fsx - the ai playbar runs twice because of the change in the order of the artillery firing - previously it was last so the playbar ended with that. So it's still keyed to run to the end on artillery, then resets. This was missed when the change was made and not noticed in beta until the last minute. Hopefully it'll get fixed in a future patch.

zhivago - I don't think there are more units, but I also had that vague impression. I think it's because you see them move more, and they come out an attack more often.

One thing I have noticed is certain scenarios are actually easier with the new ai. The value of entrenchment is less rated, so units will leave very good defensive positions to take swipes at you units. Then, they are in the open and easier to kill. I played Warsaw 44 and it was much easier than previously for that reason. Maybe this can also be addressed in the future.