Improvement to Recon

[BiteNibbleChomp]

( /ducks to avoid incoming fire )

Would that happen to be coming from a WWI 6-range artillery? Better recon could be used in such a battle, thats why I provided the zeppelin.

- BNC

With the weather as bad as I encountered I still prefer to use it as an umbrella. One thing I am wondering: If (when) you continue with your WW1 Mod, how much range is this going to get?

12. It's already in the mod (First available in the Op. Michael Scenario IIRC)

[captainjack]

See the man in the picture?
He's the smart one. There's no chance of the gun hitting him, even with range 12!

[Radoye]

If he's still there when the gun is firing (even at full elevation) he would likely be stripped naked by the muzzle blast shockwave.

[ThvN]

The least that would happen is severe hearing damage, I guess.

I do wonder how the AI would handle it though- to spot defensive artillery they'd need nearby recon, and they aren't that bright...

You probably already saw how the AI does that... When the weather is bad, spotting is reduced to 1, and you'll see the AI make different moves, sometimes much more risky. Although it can actually benefit the AI in certain ways, its tendency to not attack unless the odds are favourable is suppressed, because it cannot see supporting units. It got me into trouble several times because I could not deter the AI and with enough attacks they will chip away ammo and strength points, although they will suffer many casualties while doing so of course.

The same happens with the Soviet SMG infantry in Stalingrad, they can be easily baited into traps but if they manage to deplete the ammo of the supporting artillery or cause enough casualties, you will be in trouble. The AI will often just sit and wait while you bombard them, because it doesn't like the odds, but a few 'reckless' attacks by several units can change that quickly. I think that is one of the biggest issues with the AI, it won't sacrifice units to wear you down in order to create better odds for follow-up attacks. That is one of the reasons I'm going to try to reduce the spotting: to see if this effect might outweigh the negatives and actually benefit the AI.

[proline]

The least that would happen is severe hearing damage, I guess.

I do wonder how the AI would handle it though- to spot defensive artillery they'd need nearby recon, and they aren't that bright...

You probably already saw how the AI does that... When the weather is bad, spotting is reduced to 1, and you'll see the AI make different moves, sometimes much more risky. Although it can actually benefit the AI in certain ways, its tendency to not attack unless the odds are favourable is suppressed, because it cannot see supporting units. It got me into trouble several times because I could not deter the AI and with enough attacks they will chip away ammo and strength points, although they will suffer many casualties while doing so of course.

The same happens with the Soviet SMG infantry in Stalingrad, they can be easily baited into traps but if they manage to deplete the ammo of the supporting artillery or cause enough casualties, you will be in trouble. The AI will often just sit and wait while you bombard them, because it doesn't like the odds, but a few 'reckless' attacks by several units can change that quickly. I think that is one of the biggest issues with the AI, it won't sacrifice units to wear you down in order to create better odds for follow-up attacks. That is one of the reasons I'm going to try to reduce the spotting: to see if this effect might outweigh the negatives and actually benefit the AI.

I'd forgotten about bad weather. And yes, I agree that the AI probably hurts me more during bad weather turns even though they take a lot of dumb damage as well. You make a great argument, though it is a sad fact to think the AI fights better if it is blind!

[captainjack]

Talking of weather, is there a way to create, modify or rename weather types?
Sandstorms provide an excellent fog substitute, but don't quite look right in Europe.

[ThvN]

Talking of weather, is there a way to create, modify or rename weather types?
Sandstorms provide an excellent fog substitute, but don't quite look right in Europe.

Interesting idea! I don't think new weather types/modifying them are possible, but renaming should be no problem (the screen names can be changed in the strings file), but a different weather icon might be a bit more work. Remember all the effects/names shown will be the same for Europe and Afrika, so it might look a bit strange in some regions.

[captainjack]

Thanks ThvN.

The movement of the sandstorm is perfect for swirling thick fog, and the effects are close enough to what I want. I'll have a go at renaming it when I'm next feeling creative, but recolouring the image is beyond me at the moment.

I was planning on using it as cover to set up an early morning attack, with the possibility of it all blowing away at a critical moment, so you have the choice of attacking under cover when not quite ready or taking a gamble on the weather holding and setting up properly.