I noticed after several Race to the Meuse games against von Manteuffel that it seems to avoid the northern route to the objective (Trois Ponts - Werbomont or Verviers - Herve).
When playing Bitter End and Battle of the Bulge scenarios, von Manteuffel focused the attack on the central area around Bastogne and managed to reach the Meuse at Dinant on the 19th.
Is such an approach feasible for Axis in the Race to the Meuse scenario?
When I lost RttM scenarios to von Rundstedt and Dietrich, the Axis breakhrough was at either Herve or Ouffet.
Question about AI behaviour in Race to the Meuse
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Miguel_TSS
- Lance Corporal - SdKfz 222
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 5:42 pm
Re: Question about AI behaviour in Race to the Meuse
Thanks for checking out our new General!
When designing VonM, the goal was changing the battlefield to one not often encountered. His strategy is a bit unorthodox, but is something players can adopt and improve on. That said, depending on the situation, VonM may shift focus to preserve a draw.
When designing VonM, the goal was changing the battlefield to one not often encountered. His strategy is a bit unorthodox, but is something players can adopt and improve on. That said, depending on the situation, VonM may shift focus to preserve a draw.
Re: Question about AI behaviour in Race to the Meuse
I enjoy playing longer scenarios against vonM, since he tends to follow the historic flow of the battle by focusing on the center of the front.
In the RttM scenario, it is indeed a challenge to hold Bastogne, but it can be done by weakening the north side under the assumption that vonM won't attack there because of his programming restraints.
I noticed some AI troop moves that didn't make a lot of sense in that context, for example returning a full-strength elite Pz unit from Malmedy to Schonberg just to finish off the isolated US Inf unit, when pressing forward to Werbomont would only have raised the stakes. In a point-driven scenario, taking out that Inf unit brings 3 VP to the Axis sooner than using only the VG units, but for RttM I just don't see the purpose of such a move.
On the positive side, in the Bitter End scenario vonM retreated his armor spearhead to avoid being cut-off then proceeded to build defensive three-stacks around Bastogne which gave me some trouble to dislodge. That was the kind of "fighting retreat" that Albert Kesselring would have approved.
In the RttM scenario, it is indeed a challenge to hold Bastogne, but it can be done by weakening the north side under the assumption that vonM won't attack there because of his programming restraints.
I noticed some AI troop moves that didn't make a lot of sense in that context, for example returning a full-strength elite Pz unit from Malmedy to Schonberg just to finish off the isolated US Inf unit, when pressing forward to Werbomont would only have raised the stakes. In a point-driven scenario, taking out that Inf unit brings 3 VP to the Axis sooner than using only the VG units, but for RttM I just don't see the purpose of such a move.
On the positive side, in the Bitter End scenario vonM retreated his armor spearhead to avoid being cut-off then proceeded to build defensive three-stacks around Bastogne which gave me some trouble to dislodge. That was the kind of "fighting retreat" that Albert Kesselring would have approved.
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Miguel_TSS
- Lance Corporal - SdKfz 222
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 5:42 pm
Re: Question about AI behaviour in Race to the Meuse
Awesome, thanks for the feedback! It's one thing to see the Generals play against testers and each other, but to hear reports from actual players means a lot!
An open path to Werbomont is tempting, but also a trap if a proper supply line can't be supported. An attack in Schonberg is rarely advised in RttM, but I can see VonM doing it early to help remove future roadblocks, or vindictively if it's late and victory conditions are not likely to be satisfied. Barring supply complexities, or an attempt to pull allied units east into Axis Artillery Range, the system that fosters replay-ability could have provided a good VP move, but not a risky pressure move. I'll keep an eye out.
An open path to Werbomont is tempting, but also a trap if a proper supply line can't be supported. An attack in Schonberg is rarely advised in RttM, but I can see VonM doing it early to help remove future roadblocks, or vindictively if it's late and victory conditions are not likely to be satisfied. Barring supply complexities, or an attempt to pull allied units east into Axis Artillery Range, the system that fosters replay-ability could have provided a good VP move, but not a risky pressure move. I'll keep an eye out.