How to reliably get wingmen to attack ground targets

[flyinj]

I've done several ground attack missions where I had a marked group of artillery/convoy/tanks etc.

 

I've issued the "do as I say" order, and the "attack closest ground target" order, and my wingmen never seem to attack anything.

 

Am I missing a step on how to get them to attack the designated target?

 

[busdriver]

Sorry, I don't have an answer. I've tried both those commands with the same result as you. Other times AI will make one or two attack runs without being instructed by me. Perhaps some of the guys that make missions/campaigns can share their insight.

 

[Willy__]

Do as I say will make them follow you, if your flight have bombs them they will drop the same time as you do. Keep in mind that the AI is not good at maintaining tight formation.

 

Attack closest ground attack will make them attack the closest single target, if the target is destroyed they wont attack other targets. From my experience you only use "Do As I say" when you are level bombing, and all other cases its better to use "Patrol for ground targets" instead of "Attack closest ground attack", thats because if you order them to patrol for ground targets your wingmen will still attack other targets even if the first targeted one is destroyed. In both cases the AI will take its time and make a very large/long circuit around the target before starting the attacking run itself.

Edited November 27, 2017 by 3./JG15_Staiger

[hames123]

But only give your command after you complete the mission. The moment you reach the area, you will automatically warn your wingmen, who will often kill the enemy that you needed to kill and complete the mission for you. In fact, you can wait for them to destroy the train you are attacking, for example, and then save your load to go bomb some enemy front line emplacements instead. So until you get the signal that you have succeeded, you do not need to give your wingmen any commands.

Edited November 29, 2017 by hames123

[sniperton]

Yep, the same applies to air targets. On an intercept mission, when we're already in the combat area, wingmen attack bombers independently and without any command to do so. If I take a slightly offset course to bounce the enemy from the side, wingmen do not follow me, but take a direct and straight course towards the bombers. Only "cover me" prevents them from doing so.

[LLv24_SukkaVR]

They should attack the targets independently if you are doing ground attack mission. Most frustrating thing about AI is that sometimes escort fighters leave you on your own if they spot some bypassing enemy planes and you have to do the job without fighter cover. Usually they show up later but it might be too late.

[hames123]

I find that patrol for ground target usually works well. However, the AI needs to just keep attacking and killing until enemy fighters come or they run out of ammunition. They certainly know how ti strafe, but they never seem to do more than 1 strafing run.

[J2_Jakob]

"Patrol this area" command works very well, IIRC. They'd loiter around a point they were at, when I gave them that order. They'd attack pretty much anything in that area. Top priority - fighters, then ground attack planes, then ground targets. Keep in mind they are very careful with ground attacking. It takes them some time to pick a target and make an attack run, they won't dive in immediately after the command. They'll circle the area first, pick the target (they won't tell you which one, sadly) and then finally make a run. If there's more targets, they will repeat the whole loop - circle->pick target->attack it, until they're out of ammo.

[Godspeed]

Same happened yesterday when i fly I-16 in Intercept Bombers mission.

Shot down two bombers untill my ammo ran out.

 

I had full wing of I-16's and i ordered them to attack nearest air target what was last German He111 plane flying near us.

They just fly on my formation untill i gave up and head back to base.

 

Something is broken right now..

[216th_Jordan]

"...Reliably.."

You don't Depends a lot on the mood of the AI..

 

Apart from that, do what the others have mentioned, it works rather often

[RedeyeStorm]

Biggest tip though: be patient. A human player can make two or three attack runs before the AI has set themself up. If you happen to destroy the target they were gunning for they reset.

 

What is wrong though is the fact that all AI wingman go for the same groundtarget. If the first one destroys the target the others break of and reset.

[moriarty35]

I came looking for a solution to AI ignoring enemy aircraft, even when I give the order to "attack nearest air target" or "patrol for air targets". Watched an ai wingman ignore tracers flying all around his aircraft which were fired from about 50 feet behind him. Of course it took the enemy ai about 20 seconds of continuous fire to score a hit, after which the wingman finally turned, then resumed course, then the cycle repeated.
So anyhow, just wondering what's new on the AI side in the last few years or so.

[Noisemaker]

11 minutes ago, moriarty35 said:

I came looking for a solution to AI ignoring enemy aircraft, even when I give the order to "attack nearest air target" or "patrol for air targets". Watched an ai wingman ignore tracers flying all around his aircraft which were fired from about 50 feet behind him. Of course it took the enemy ai about 20 seconds of continuous fire to score a hit, after which the wingman finally turned, then resumed course, then the cycle repeated.
So anyhow, just wondering what's new on the AI side in the last few years or so.

According to the latest Dev Diary, AI improvements are on the way.  What they are is still unannounced.

[moriarty35]

Ok, well, here's to hoping. Thanks for the reply. I'll check the dev diary.

[Knarley-Bob]

Those AI "Wingmen" aren't there for your benefit. They won't help you, or follow orders. In fact, they will shoot through you if you get in their way. A lot of times, they will carry their bombs to and from the target, just to drop them before they land. The "game" doesn't care what they destroy anyway, even if it is you they shoot down. Consider  yourself flying a solo mission, it usually works out better that way.

Edited February 3, 2021 by Knarley-Bob