AI Unit Purchases

[flatsix518]

All,

I'm not a PanzerCorps newbie, but I'm doing my first original scenario.

My project is to create a PanzerCorps interpretation of Avalon Hill's Blitzkrieg. The map is done and things are working pretty well for the most part.

I ended up deciding to allow the players to create their own OB from scratch. I thought this would make the scenario more interesting and variable between playings. So the game starts with each player having 10,000 prestige points and no units. This should work just fine in human vs human play.

The problem I'm having is with AI play. I haven't figure out how to overcome the following AI behaviors:

1. The AI never purchases transport for units.
2. When playing allies (Russians) the AI purchases no armor or infantry. Just artillery, AT guns, and AA -- all without transport.
3. When playing axis (Germans) the AI purchases some armor and no infantry. Is very heavy on artillery, AT guns, and AA -- all without transport.
4. I'm anticipating the AI won't upgrade later on, either.

Any help is appreciated. Apologies if this issue has been raise before.

Best regards,

John
aka Flatsix518

[Razz1]

If you do a search...

I believe someone already made a version of Blitzkreig.

I remember loading it and trying it out.

[bebro]

I understand you want to have this playable as Single player vs. AI and MP?

In single player you just could give the AI side whatever units you want incl TPs - even choose the turn when it should show up, set triggers etc.

I'm not sure if there is any possibility to control what the AI purchases, tho it might be influenced by its role (defensive/offensive). If the additional workload is acceptable for you, you could try to make several versions of one and the same scns -one for MP with balanced settings, one for SP with extra units for the AI? Just an idea...

[McGuba]

Hi,

1. The AI never purchases transport for units.

True. I would add that the AI do not seem to purchase aircraft at all.

2. When playing allies (Russians) the AI purchases no armor or infantry. Just artillery, AT guns, and AA -- all without transport.
3. When playing axis (Germans) the AI purchases some armor and no infantry. Is very heavy on artillery, AT guns, and AA -- all without transport.

It is not a question of axis or allies, but attacker - defender side. If the allies are set as defender in the editor than the AI controlled allies would only purchase defensive weapons - the ones you described. Whereas if the AI is playing the side set as attacker is would only purchase tanks and other offensive weapons.

4. I'm anticipating the AI won't upgrade later on, either.

Do not think so, as it would unbalance the already existing campaings, which were created and tested with the current AI.


Therefore I also suggest placing the units on the map yourself for the AI, possibly with some triggers. Because of its poor purchase decisions, I rarely allow the AI to purchase anything at all.

[flatsix518]

Thank you -- that explains things quite a bit.

I'm now working on three versions of this game! Two for AI (vs Germans, vs Russians) and one intended for open play where the players are given a bunch of points and build their own armies from scratch.

John