4.13 development update discussion and feedback

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by CzechTexan

So my thoughts about the A/I were right! A few days ago I just noticed that the Roookie enemy kicked Veteran butts and that something was definitely wrong. A/I has improved but this Super-Rookie issue needs to be fixed. Until then I guess I won't use Rookies but will use Average A/I instead.

Just to fact check things, I ran a couple of 16 vs. 16 AI missions.

QMB. Bessarabia Map, no flak or objective, 1000 m altitude, no advantage to either side, clear weather. 16 Ace Bf-109E-7 vs. 16 Rookie I-16 Type 24.

Results were consistently massive victory for the Bf-109s, with a 16:1 or better kill ratio.

The only unrealistic rookie AI behavior I saw was on the first mission were a rookie I-16 was able to follow a slightly damaged Bf-109 into a vertical climb, score crippling damage on it at 400 m, and then come out above the Bf-109 at the top of the loop to kill it.

Since I had "Arcade Mode" on, I got to see AI behavior commands as well. Bf-109 were attacking by flight, with the lead plane consistently using energy attack, and the other three planes in the flight performing various forms of defensive cover.

I-16 used turn attacks, and periodically used defensive moves, as well as "panicking". In one case, I watched a slightly damaged I-16 accidentally enter a spin and crash.

So, based on those results, I'd say that AI is pretty good and returns the expected results.

If there's a problem for me, it's that Ace AI doesn't use energy fighting tactics quite as well as it might.

Obviously, though, there are situations where there are problems with Ace/Veteran AI using stupid tactics.