Tricks for AI-controlled Forward Observers (FOs)

[manchildstein (ii)]

for scenarios designed as human against the ai, 'hitting' the human player with challenging ai-controlled FO artillery barrages can be a key part of the overall scenario design.

i've noticed that a trick human players might use when playing against the AI is - during setup - to put some 'sacrificial' unit such as a jeep or halftrack out in plain sight while hiding everything else. this tactic helps ensure that the ai FOs will call in a turn 1 barrage on the human player's sacrificial unit and away from the more valuable units.

as a scenario designer, there are a couple of ways i can think of to get around this. one is the perhaps already-discussed idea that the ai could have a series of sentries throughout the human player's setup zone(s). these might be sharpshooters, light machineguns or tank hunter teams. interestingly, the sharpshooters might be the deadliest of those 3.

in any event, by setting up a series of such sentries in the human player's setup area(s), this helps ensure that all of the player's units are in ai los at the start. with the 'borg spotting' of cm, the turn 1 prep barrage(s) would then have a much better chance of actually targetting something useful rather than a sacrificial jeep or somesuch.

another method i just thought of does away with the 'sentries' of the ai. it also takes away any chance of a wasted ai-controlled turn 1 barrage.

this method involves bringing in ai-controlled FOs as turn 2 reinforcements: simply 'pop in' the ai-controlled FOs on turn 2 at the desired locations. by bringing the ai FOs in on turn 2, you dispense with both the 'opening setup sacrifice tactic,' and any need for any initial ai 'sentry' positions within the human setup zones.

using this kind of tactic can create artillery barrages against human-controlled units at unexpected times.

for quick response, mortars are recommended if the FO position is expected to be overrun early; larger caliber, slower-reaction time FOs can work if they gain LOS in good time and are in positions which are expected to last as long as it takes for the actual barrage to begin.

[Joachim]

1.) Prep barrages with "sentries"? Only if the map is big enough for the attacker to spread his units, and only for selected spots where the human player is expected to set up - eg along roads. If the AI can scout every part of the setup zone, this would be gamey (ok, after all it is a game..)

2.) FOs as reinforcements is a good idea. Leave some for the occassional turn 1 barrage

3.) Heavy FOs forward may be a reward for the aggressive player. It is a working tactic vs the AI to attack one flag, slaughter the counterattack and win - with that one flag. Either use more flags, or - if the setting wants a breakthru on a broad front - reward the one who does this early by removing a few FOs from battle.

4.) TRPs might help the defending AI. Depends on the defenders mssion and time to dig in.

Gruß

Joachim