Slitherine

Is there some extra coding in DLC '41 that zeroes in on recon? I went from losing 1 recon every scenario in '39 and '40 to 2-4 now. It's crazy how they hone in on them no matter what is going on and how much it puts the AI at a disadvantage . For example I've seen 2-3 infantry come rushing at my recon giving up good positions in the woods to come into the clear. Ok I just lost my recon but now my tanks come in and mop up those infantry in the clear terrain. On DLC'39 and '40 I was struggling to keep prestige(playing on FM mode) but in '41 it comes a lot easier so replacing the recon isn't a big deal.

It just seems the AI is giving up too much to kill my recon

It's one of the biggest problems for modders - getting the AI to stay in entrenched positions whilst fighting back against adjacent units. There are two options: Defend (Passive) which means they sit in situ and do nothing, or Defend (Active), which means they will leave entrenched positions to attack a likely target as you have described. In my efile I have what I called 'Hold' units - they have all the traits of a normal unit but a movement of zero. I can set them to Active defence and know they won't leave their entrenchment. It's not ideal but it works pretty well. In the DLCs though the AI will continue to do what you describe and will hone in on recons no matter what the cost. At least recons are cheap but don't grow attached to them.

What's the difference between a Defend Passive unit and an Active with zero movement? Does Passive not defend itself as well?

That's right - a passive unit is completely passive - it will not attack a 1 strength truck adjacent to it, for example. They will defend themselves when attacked.