Squadron "Attrition" Rate

[Varibraun]

@PatrickAWlson I am nearing the end of my SP BoBp campaign, and I am wondering how version 8 PWCG determines the fate of pilots that fall to "non-mission attrition,"  meaning where A/I pilots are killed or wounded outside of active missions occurring somewhere on the in-game map. 

 

On this first run through of version 8, I have been having a difficult time keeping A/I pilots alive and helping them work on their kill scores because they seem to frequently get themselves into trouble while "flying" without me.  The Squadron Logs for all of my active squadrons seem to reflect a high attrition rate too (which may be completely accurate).  I have been wondering if my settings may also be impacting the attrition rate by designating multiple mission count for each active flight (currently 4). 

 

This is not a complaint, I have really enjoyed this version 8 BoBp campaign (flying 4 squadrons).  With that in mind, here are my questions that might allow adjustment of non-mission attrition to our personal preference (listed in order from general to most specific):

 

1.  Would it be possible to make the non-mission attrition rate adjustable through the advanced config (maybe a % from the current base - I realize this would impact all squadrons since each pilot actually exists individually in PWCG)?

2.  Would it be possible to make it optional for the current active squadron to be exempt from non-mission attrition through advanced config?

3.  Would it be possible to allow us to designate "wingman" pilot(s) within a squadron to be exempt from non-mission attrition?   

 

As always - Thank you for all the work!

 

 

[PatrickAWlson]

Possible, but TBH I don't really want to.  That will force me to work all of the variations for configs into an already very complex piece of code.  

 

Attrition rates are based on my study of actual attrition rates and then testing algorithms to see if they produce reasonable results.  Existing algorithms are for WWI and eastern front, and therefore might be high for Western allied units.  I can look at that.  However, attrition rates for 9th AF ground attackers were pretty bad even towards the end of the war.  8th AF escort units were not nearly as bad.

 

Several variables go into attrition rates: primary unit purpose, service and unit quality, and individual pilot quality.  New pilots are more likely to be killed than experienced ones.  Ground attackers are more likely to be lost than fighters.  The attrition rate in early war IL2 units is probably as bad as it gets.

 

If you have preferred wingmen then take them with you on missions and they will not be included in the days "other missions".  On mission days you don't fly - that will generally be leave - then they will fly out of mission.  TBH I think most pilots are safer out of mission than in mission.

[Varibraun]

Thank you Pat - I understand and am certainly not surprised by the complexity and historical detail you have worked into the attrition algorithm.  I am very happy with where SP stands right now.  Honestly, I am probably not helping myself on this particular issue by playing both sides in the same campaign - but I do enjoy that aspect PWCG of being able to even things out a bit occasionally.  

 

Does my multiple mission count in config have any impact on the out of mission attrition because those "extra" missions are being multiplied in the algorithm? 

 

4 hours ago, PatrickAWlson said:

New pilots are more likely to be killed than experienced ones. 

That all makes good sense and explains why at the end of March 1945, when my LW Squadron Commander went on 10 days leave to receive his Knights Cross, he returned to find that the squadron he left with mostly rookies had literally lost every one of them over those 10 days.  So, I think those final days of the war are well reflected in both the non-mission attrition as well as the numbers in mission combat (most of the German squadrons are often combat ineffective at this point in my campaign).  I will write a little about this in the "Interesting Missions" topic once I have finished the war.