Does anyone know if ai fighters automatically escort bombers? It seems like they do sometimes. If not, is there a way in the scenario editor to make them act as escort?
Also, if I'm understanding this correctly, when strategic bombers bomb cities, that city is 'neutralized' and this affects deployment. Is there any other effect, for example, something like a loss of prestige. I think that was the case in Panzer General.
I'm sure this has been discussed before but since I'm late to the party I'll ask anyway.
ai fighter escorts?
Moderators: Slitherine Core, Panzer Corps Moderators, Panzer Corps Design
Re: ai fighter escorts?
Hi maguro, I don't think AI fighters can escort bombers, there are no special orders in the editor for this type of behaviour.
What I think happens when the AI fighters move along with bombers is that they are simply all moving to the same point on the map and fighters are usually only one or two hexes faster, so they will stay very near purely by coincidence. In the editor, I've often seen bombers placed slightly closer to the frontline then their 'escort' fighters, so they will arrive packed together, but as soon as targets are spotted they will go their separate ways.
It might be possible to issue bombers & escorts some sort of staggered movement orders (moving from zone to zone perhaps?) to prevent the fighters from outrunning bombers and separating to attack nearby units, but that will require careful tweaking and testing, and as soon as the bombers deviate to attack a target of opportunity the fighters will be useless.
Strategic bombing:
You are right, strategic bombing can lower prestige, this happens when you bomb a victory hex that is a city or airfield. The amount lost is based on the strength and experience of the bomber (called the 'bomber efficiency'). If you look at the combat log after the attack (press 'L') you can see the bomber efficiency in and the amount of prestige lost. This 'bomber efficieny' is also used to determine the chance that a normal city flag is neutralized.
What I think happens when the AI fighters move along with bombers is that they are simply all moving to the same point on the map and fighters are usually only one or two hexes faster, so they will stay very near purely by coincidence. In the editor, I've often seen bombers placed slightly closer to the frontline then their 'escort' fighters, so they will arrive packed together, but as soon as targets are spotted they will go their separate ways.
It might be possible to issue bombers & escorts some sort of staggered movement orders (moving from zone to zone perhaps?) to prevent the fighters from outrunning bombers and separating to attack nearby units, but that will require careful tweaking and testing, and as soon as the bombers deviate to attack a target of opportunity the fighters will be useless.
Strategic bombing:
You are right, strategic bombing can lower prestige, this happens when you bomb a victory hex that is a city or airfield. The amount lost is based on the strength and experience of the bomber (called the 'bomber efficiency'). If you look at the combat log after the attack (press 'L') you can see the bomber efficiency in and the amount of prestige lost. This 'bomber efficieny' is also used to determine the chance that a normal city flag is neutralized.
Re: ai fighter escorts?
Thanks for clearing that up. It explains why I had been thinking escorts were possible even though I did notice there's no way to set fighters to escort in the scenario editor.
Re: ai fighter escorts?
Actually you can make the AI fighters act more rational.
You'll have to check it out in my soon to be updated Danzig 1939 campaign.
You'll have to check it out in my soon to be updated Danzig 1939 campaign.
Re: ai fighter escorts?
Great, I'll check it out.