Germans not sending escorts?

[DrDeath_MD]

I'm in August 20th 1942 in the Kuban/Stalingrad campaign. I've noticed that it seems like the Germans are no longer sending escorts with their fighters? On my last few patrols, I've seen some Stukas (haven't been able to bag any), Ju88's,  and in one mission a lone BF109 (bagged him). But, I've noticed that the bombers are not ever escorted? My last mission was an intercept with 2 bomber formations, and 1 Stuka formation during the German advance. However, no fighters were encountered? Is this normal for the default settings? I have air density and ground density set to medium but have not changed anything else? It seems earlier in the campaign I was more likely to run across a few packs of fighters either on my way to bombers or with the bombers. 

[PatrickAWlson]

It is.  I cannot add escorts.  The planes are spawned and the cover command does not work.  I sometimes do put a corresponding fighter flight in place but that flight does not really cover, it just acts like a patrol.  If I added escorts for every bomber/attack flight you would be completely overwhelmed. 

[DrDeath_MD]

That makes sense with what I'm seeing. I could go for a few more German fighters. Right now I can swat 1-2 bombers a mission with minimal fear (Stuka's are another story, they are immortal and have crazy accurate rear gunners). Some of my favorite missions in the campaign involve me getting bounced by fighters. These are minor nitpicks though. The campaign engine is a blast. I've managed to survive (somehow) about 55 missions.

[PatrickAWlson]

Advanced Config -> Mission Limits

max Fighter Flights Per Mission (Fighter Campaign) (default is 2)

max Fighter Flights Per Mission (Ground Campaign) (default is 1)

 

Presumably you are flying fighters so increase the first for more fighters.

The second will apply if your fighter unit is flying a ground attack mission - set that higher if you want to see more fighters while you are doing ground attacks.

 

As stated, the defaults are to keep pilots from being overwhelmed.  3 enemy fighter flights, if they all appear at the same time, makes for one hell of a fur ball.

[istari6]

Pat,

 

My team of 3 players is encountering this same issue over the Kuban.  Flying Spitfire Mk IXs, we've now had a string of missions where we've encountered lone packs of Ju-88s, Ju-87s and Hs 129s.  It's been an ahistorical slaughter.

 

Using the newest version (11.8.0), do you still recommend increasing Max Fighter Flights Per Mission as the best way to reintroduce some likelihood of escorts?  Or are there other workarounds we can use now with the newer version?

 

[PatrickAWlson]

6 hours ago, istari6 said:

Pat,

 

My team of 3 players is encountering this same issue over the Kuban.  Flying Spitfire Mk IXs, we've now had a string of missions where we've encountered lone packs of Ju-88s, Ju-87s and Hs 129s.  It's been an ahistorical slaughter.

 

Using the newest version (11.8.0), do you still recommend increasing Max Fighter Flights Per Mission as the best way to reintroduce some likelihood of escorts?  Or are there other workarounds we can use now with the newer version?

 

 

Escorts will always be limited due to in game performance concerns.  If you want more escorted increase:

Configuration -> Advanced Config -> Mission Limits -> Max virtual escorts

Configuration -> Advanced Config -> Mission Limits -> Odds <flight type> mission is escorted

 

If you want more of a fighter presence outside of escorts:

Configuration -> Advanced Config -> Mission Limits -> Max fighter flights per side

 

Increasing max flights will not increase number of escorts. 

 

Escorts do not count as separate flights.  There will be a performance hit.

[Kur12]

Patrick, what settings need to be set so that bombers and attack aircraft never fly without an escort?
I have a good computer, Simple Config settings are set:
Air Density - Med
Ground Density - Med
AA Density - Med
CPU Allowance - High
In the Advanced Config settings it is worth:
Limit Mission - Max Virtual Escorts - 5
And the first thing I saw when I flew up to the front line was a flight of Il-2 attack aircraft without an escort.
What settings are needed to always have an escort?

[PatrickAWlson]

See above.

 

Configuration -> Advanced Config -> Mission Limits -> Odds <flight type> mission is escorted

Determines the odds that a mission profile will have an escort

Set all instances to 100

 

Set Configuration -> Advanced Config -> Mission Limits -> Max virtual escorts to something silly like 1000

 

This is untested, but what I wrote above is the intent

Edited December 5, 2020 by PatrickAWlson

[istari6]

Patrick - thanks for the quick reply!  We'll try out these settings today in an upcoming flying session together.  

[istari6]

Worked like a charm.  All German flights were escorted and significantly upgraded the challenge.  Performance hit was negligible.  Recommend these settings for others.

[PatrickAWlson]

6 hours ago, istari6 said:

Worked like a charm.  All German flights were escorted and significantly upgraded the challenge.  Performance hit was negligible.  Recommend these settings for others.

 

Must admit I'm blown away by the idea that performance was not negligible

[istari6]

Not sure why there wasn't a performance hit even though the skies are definitely more crowded.  We're flying with 57th GIAP over the Kuban, Spitfires out of Slavaskaya.  Here are the settings we're using (if this helps):

 

Max Fighter Flights per Side: Fighter Campaign - 3

Max allied Flights: 4

Max Axis Flights: 3

Odds bombing mission is escorted: 70

Odds dive bombing mission is escorted: 100

Odds ground attack mission is escorted: 100

Odds dive transport mission is escorted :100

Max Virtual Escorts: 1000

 

Air Density: Low

Ground Density: Med

AA Density: Med

CPU Allowance: Med

[Taxman]

I must say that I have tried the settings to 100 and oh my.  Prior to changing the settings the bombers would have no or very little escort.  After the change just breaking through the fighter defense to get to the bombers is now a challenge, where before one would just go after the bombers and worry about escorts.  There are more flights with out a noticeable decrease in performance.  Another thing is that you better keep your SA up or you will be trouble.

 

Thanks for information on escorted missions and flight changes.   I need to rethink how to attack, and to keep my wingmen from getting shot down.