EF AI tactics - ROCK!

my pals and I have on average over 1500 games vs AI
and are all ranked 16 or higher in most factions
ALWAYS win vs hard - usually win vs expert -even on open maps

as Russia - started playing vs EASY to get used to tech tree, etc and found the games more challenging than expected - (still won them all)

started playing vs NORMAL AI -
and could barely win (even lost a few)- had to use all our techniques to even stay close

at first = blamed the 'weak Russia' vs Wermacht AI
then had an idea - played a few games using USA and Brit vs Wermacht - on NORMAL - wow - what a fight !!!!
AI was 'clever/sneaky'  . . . eg:
1. flanking defenses (no stupid head on attacks)
2. coordinated arms/attacks
3. several probing attacks - then pull back and user of different units

in other words - GREAT JOB!

FYI, as these new AI might not be seen by the crowd that plays humans

The new AI is just vicious.  I cant beat normals now.  Regular game I can beat hard out in the open or expert with chokepoints.  VERY intelligent  AI.

However the crash bug with the latest patch is ruining it for me!

So true. I had never seen the AI use Bergetigers and Goliaths so well or even at all!  :o

The better ai is pretty annoying, since I was able to beat them on hard before now I don't stand a chance =P

The AI is better in some respects, but the call in spam is still pretty bad. Propaganda and Urban Combat are the worst offenders, as the AI ends up saving its manpower for katyushas, sniper aces, or KV-2s instead of building an army capable of fighting back once they unlock those. I can park a StuG or a friggin Schwimmwagen to take out what they send after me and just watch it rack up kills.

The new PE ai is incredible.  ACs micro'd to evil levels.  Always with mortar HT support too.

Hai. New AI is very vicious :) Makes for interesting games.
Reacts quick, too.

A bunker with -1 HMG crew. Switch crews around and while
doing so, soviets which had been massing juuust out of range
(Saw 'em clearly with my cloaked sniper) just uber charged me
(used commander charge ability) and I had like 8x squads
at point blank all around my bunker with HMG squads OUT
and struggling. ACCKK

finally won 3 in a row - vs Normal
me as Brit - pal as Russia - vs 2 Normal Wermacht
2 x on Road to Montherm and once on Vire River Valley ?

the game was easier the 2nd time - by going less offensive
ie
unlike - the old AI when you pressed the AI hard
from every direction - we pushed a little slower - and stayed next to each other - to give mutual support when needed - which is often !

Doesnt AI cheat tho?  ??? ???

I dont think AI cheats anymore in EF. I may be wrong, though.

Thanks for the compliments on the AI.  And it is completely redone, including tactics.

As far as the AI "cheating", it depends on what you mean.

It does get resource bonuses on every level other than easy - meaning it has a higher income rate for mp, muni, fuel than the human player as it does in vanilla CoH (not sure if the levels or around the same, lower, or higher than vanilla).

If you mean it can do things the human player can't, than no - it does not cheat.

The AI really needs the resource bonuses as it very difficult to tell an artificial intelligence to be as "intelligent" as a human.  For example, when you the human know to use ability x at the precise moment you have the resources for it, the AI may need the resources + 20.

Also, the idea is to make it more challenging - and an "artificial intelligence", given the game engine, can only go so far.  I look at it more as "leveling the playing field" :)

Last edited January 28, 2010 at 9:39 AM by sweeten2213

sweeten2213 wrote:
Thanks for the compliments on the AI.  And it is completely redone, including tactics.

Also, the idea is to make it more challenging - and an "artificial intelligence", given the game engine, can only go so far.  I look at it more as "leveling the playing field" :)

the more I play (with same pal) the AI - the more 'fun' we have
BUT - there DOES seem to be some issues
(not really 'tested/confirmed' - but we both have the same sense)
1. harder to make the AI 'retreat'?
ie used to rush snipers and mortor teams with jeeps or PE half tracks (even filled up) and rather than an immediate retreat - they sort of 'stand there ground and try to fight it out with you)
or
sniper will just walk away into shadows when chased out of a bldg vs retreat??
2. more than once - had AI armor have the 'out of control' tag - then slide a way a bit - then STILL get of a shot and maybe even a kill ! - or just sit there and engineers run up and repair
3. some troops (not Russia) will not suppress - even when charging a MG in cover or a bunker - and this is not when 'charged up' etc
4. seems as though enemy mortor destroy bunkers faster  - more accurate ? or more damage? (just as sense - no real data testing)

the aforementioned are NOT complaints - just observations to share - the new AI is way more fun !!!

sweeten2213 wrote:
...It does get resource bonuses on every level other than easy - meaning it has a higher income rate for mp, muni, fuel than the human player as it does in vanilla CoH (not sure if the levels or around the same, lower, or higher than vanilla).

Yep, the AI cheats.

I saw an AI Bergtiger recover a damaged tank that was part of a map, suddenly there was a neutral Panzer IV just sitting there. It was pretty funny at the time.

The vanila AI not only gets extra resources, but it also gains health bonus that changes gameplay. EF AI doesn't have those health bonuses I believe...and yeah with same resources AI wouldn't stand much of a chance...if you want a plain field with equal chance of loosing/winning then...choose multiplayer not skirmish LOL