Artillery and Difficulty levels

[dbsapp]

Turns out that "Basic training" skill level, which theoretically intended for the beginners, is the most diffucult one.

It gives AI a huge advantage - it shells poor newbie with artillery fire at least 5 times faster than those, who play on warrior or iron.

Game manual tells us that "basic training" provides player with faster artillery call time. Sounds good! What it doesn't tell us is that the same benefit goes to AI, which - considering AI mechanical reaction and precision - may give player real hell.

I made a small experiment: created simple mission in Red Thunder with German artillery observer and some Soviet troops. In Basis Training artillery hit came almost immediately - in 2 minutes!!

Playing on Warrior level made artillery 5 times less lethal - the first  strike occured only on 10 minute! 

So, if you are battling defensive AI with artillery support (which is the case for the majority of scenarios) it's much easier to play on Iron than on Basic Training. 

Maybe it's better to reconsider the skill levels in CM, which confuse new players and push them away.

At least, the AI advantage on Basic Training should be explicitly noted in the game manual.

Edited April 27, 2021 by dbsapp

[Bufo]

It is called skill level wrongly. It should be called "ruleset", or something like that.

[dbsapp]

Doesn't matter what it's called, the thing is it does the opposite thing of what it's intended to achieve.

[chuckdyke]

Defense against artillery is dispersion. take this in account during the set-up phase. To play the AI the scenario designer has one turn and once press the red button to play he can't change his 'battle plans'. You have two avenues you do a lure and trap or a turn maneuver and defend. A human player can read your strategy the AI can't. Once you have an idea of the battle plan, he painted you win the scenario. Queen and King in chess, going for the Queen is called attrition you may get a minor victory. Going for the King is to maneuver the key to get major or total victories. 

[Bulletpoint]

32 minutes ago, dbsapp said:

Doesn't matter what it's called, the thing is it does the opposite thing of what it's intended to achieve.

Like a fair few other things in the game.

[Bufo]

37 minutes ago, dbsapp said:

Doesn't matter what it's called, the thing is it does the opposite thing of what it's intended to achieve.

Of course it matters how you call it. From the name comes its intended effect. Was it called ruleset, You wouldn't expect to change the difficulty level.

Edited April 27, 2021 by Bufo