Wingmen ignoring orders?

[Tinku74]

I mostly fly campaigns in PWCG. Took up flying after a 3 year hiatus, and enjoying it a lot! 

 

When leading a flight and spotting an enemy down below, I peel of to bounce them, giving orders to “attack closest air target”. 
 

My flight continues to tick off its waypoint list, cruising along merrily while I take on all enemies by myself. Ordering them to “cover me” also has no effect. 
 

it absolutely kills immersion. 
 

Is this a PWCG scripting issue? Or a general AI issue?

 

Any recommendations?

[BlitzPig_EL]

General AI issue mostly.  They are deaf, and blind.  How they got past the recruiter is a mystery to me.

[Panzerlang]

Mine will "Cover Me" but generally won't attack stuff unless they see it first (and they leave formation without permission to do so). They do respond to RTB orders but won't RTB by themselves when damaged, no matter how seriously.

They're thick and dangerous, pretty much useful only for splitting enemy attention.

Edited July 31, 2021 by Hetzer-JG51

[354thFG_Drewm3i-VR]

It is honestly unfathomable that a combat flight sim that has been around for almost 10 years now has ai that cannot even follow and execute basic commands. Il-2 1946 had this functionality 15 years ago!

[Tinku74]

Spoiler

 

Thanks for the comments. At least it is not me doing something wrong. 

 

I agree, it would be great to have an AI more responsive to commands. I have fond memories of Il2 1946’s AI following orders. But maybe I am idealizing the past ?

 

Despite this, I think the Devs are doing a great job, and I am happy to support them with my purchases. Il2 1946 grew too “organic” for my taste. Yes, the breadth was vast even back when I flew it eons ago, but it was a pain for someone with limited time to invest in it to keep up with all the mods, updates, patches etc. 

 

Il2 is more limited, yes, but also much more focused and organized, and easy to “keep up with”. 

 

The AI’s dogfighting has improved a lot, there is always hope their tactics and command following will too, in time. 

Edited August 1, 2021 by Tinku74

[Gambit21]

22 hours ago, =AW=drewm3i-VR said:

It is honestly unfathomable that a combat flight sim that has been around for almost 10 years now has ai that cannot even follow and execute basic commands. Il-2 1946 had this functionality 15 years ago!

 

Yeah - I used to order my AI wingies to attack say another player in MP, and they’d do exactly as requested. It was a useful way to distract a guy while I set up a pass.

 

Or I’d order them to attack an AI B-24 - they would, they’d die...then I’d sweep in to finish the bomber off.

 

 

Edited August 1, 2021 by Gambit21

[Varibraun]

On 7/31/2021 at 1:11 PM, Tinku74 said:

giving orders to “attack closest air target”. 
 

 

FWIW - A while back someone recommended to me that the "Patrol for Air Targets" command actually worked when the "Attack" command doesn't seem to have any effect.  I have been using that since then and it does seem to get more of a response out of my wingmen.  Hopefully, this area will be getting some Dev attention down the line.

[grcurmudgeon]

On 7/31/2021 at 2:19 PM, Hetzer-JG51 said:

They do respond to RTB orders but won't RTB by themselves when damaged, no matter how seriously.

I dunno, I've watched them decide to RTB, then boldly fly straight and level while an enemy gets on their tail and hammers them to bits.