Abandoned by my wing?

[Sudders]

Hi all! New to this version of IL2, played Forgotten Battles a long time ago.

I picked up Bodenplatte as my first set because I did a Spitfire sim experience recently and a good feel for where everything is and how the plane handles. Translated quite well into being able to play the game without instantly crashing, although I do keep seeming to tear a flap off on every landing... I digress.

I've noticed in the campaign that my AI allies are very quick to abandon me. The whole squad can be engaged in a dogfight one minute, then the next everyone is on their merry way to the objective while I'm left to fend for myself against three BF109s...

Is this just regular behaviour for the AI? I've noticed they have a propensity to suddenly break out of patrols and make a beeline for base without any kind of radio prompts or similar. While sometimes this has lead to very fun scenarios fending for myself (one particular dash back to base with no ammo from a high altitude dive was awesome), it can be incredibly frustrating.

[[DBS]Browning]

The AI sees it as your responsibility to follow the leader and not their responsibility to wait for you.

It's normal AI behaviour.

[cardboard_killer]

2 hours ago, Sudders said:

Is this just regular behaviour for the AI?

 

I think so. AI, both offensive and defensive, ability is a source of some consternation. Others with more time may know differently though.

[Gambit21]

It’s not an AI issue, but a mission logic issue.

[Sudders]

3 hours ago, [DBS]Browning said:

The AI sees it as your responsibility to follow the leader and not their responsibility to wait for you.

It's normal AI behaviour.

I get that there's mission priorities, but i doubt any decent commander would break off an engagement and let themselves be destroyed from behind, or carry on a landing procedure when there are fighters circling the airfield ;D

[danielprates]

Even if you are flight leader, they won't always obey you. They will rather do what is in the mission profile. "Cover me" seems to force them to do just that, but the rest won't make them deviate from a scripted behavior. For instance, a "intercept bombers" mission. If you find it advantageous to not engage right away as soon as you see the enemy bombers, it does not matter: you will hear "yourself" on the radio ordering them to attack and they will. Your actual willingness to keep them from attacking is irrelevant. 

 

Aa said above, it is not an "issue" but rather just how the game works. It is also one of the very few aspects where this game is inferior to Il21946/forgotten battles, where you could actually order your guys around.

[blitze]

I find the "Do like me" command (number F6) tends to get the flight stepping in line.

 

When escorting, can order flight to engage enemies or follow the mission which should be to protect your escorts.  If you want to position them then use the do like me command and then order them to engage or patrol or what not.

 

It's a case of learning to use the coms commands to your advantage given the lack of options.  Auto issued commands at given way points can be frustrating though.  They can be countered by immediate command counters issued by yourself.  Just never send your flight home unless they are pretty shot up as that will be all they think about to their and your death.

[danielprates]

7 hours ago, blitze said:

as that will be all they think about to their and your death.

 

So true. They can be landing and being shot by a pursuing enemy, and literally not give a flying fudge. Maybe there never was a more applicable situation for that expression.

[blitze]

8 hours ago, danielprates said:

flying fudge

Flying Hot Fudge with Chocolate Sauce and Strawberries.

 

Yeah AI has it's limitations but it can also be really good.  Communicating with them could be better though including the ability to get flight positions from flight leaders be it your's or if a flight leader, then the flight leader of the bomber / attack group you are protecting.

 

Also would prefer enemy contact call outs from own pilot in the O'Clock position format instead of compass position because when you are flying a Brit plane, the compass sucks.?