unlimited bomber range for AI?

[unmerged(52751)]

Hi,

In 1.04, does the AI have unlimited air unit ranges? Playing as Germany, I see UK bomber forces flying from England north around Denmark, east across the Baltic, entering Germany via Danzig, and then south to bomb the nuke plant in Prague (to avoid the flak defences elsewhere I imagine). That's several thousand miles more than the actual a/c range I think?

Oh, and another issue... I wonder if AI fighter squadrons on air superiority missions over enemy territory should take AAA damage? Because they are not attacking strategic targets but roving the countryside looking for a fight.

cheers,

kilolima

 

[Blecky]

Hi,

In 1.04, does the AI have unlimited air unit ranges? Playing as Germany, I see UK bomber forces flying from England north around Denmark, east across the Baltic, entering Germany via Danzig, and then south to bomb the nuke plant in Prague (to avoid the flak defences elsewhere I imagine). That's several thousand miles more than the actual a/c range I think?

It seems the direct distance from the airfield where the bombers are stationed to the target is within range. However, the AI choses the path with the least AAA concentration which results in a route that is far too long. I agree, this should not be possible.

 

[piratefish]

I noticed the same thing a while back and mentioned it in the forum.

The devs replied that, unlike the human player, the AI has its range calculated by using the nearest friendly airfield. This means it does not matter from where the bombers are based, as long as the AI has a friendly airbase within the bombers' range, the bombers can target your "out of range" province.

This is WAD and is intended to make things much less complicated for the AI (which translates directly into faster game speed).

I hope I did justice with my answer - I probably am not the most qualified to explain the mechanism and rationale behind this "bug".

 

[scalvi94]

Piratefish, that was well explained and I have heard and read the same things. I think it is annoying as well, but the little advantage it gives the AI probably makes the game more competitive. Usually I just keep a 4 squadron group of Fighters/Interceptors in Berlin to patrol my Nuclear Plant in Prague or anywhere else nearby. If you keep your fighters there you will destroy the Allied planes in time.