DFLion - Ground Attack problems with latest single mission

[DFLion]

I've attached a 'zip' file of my latest ground attack mission. I would be very grateful if somebody could have a look at this mission and see if I am making a mistake with the ground attack setup in the mission.

I have exhaustively checked the 'ground attack' options in the 'full mission maker' and can't seem to get it working properly. The 4 Mustangs equipped with bombs and rockets are attacking the major railway marshaling yard at Seraing. I can't get all three following AI aircraft to fire their rockets in the first pass (after the player has successfully fired) and then later drop their bombs in the second pass. I noticed another post where a member was having a similar problem and finally 'gave-up'?

With a lot of 'ground pounding' coming up soon in the Normandy Campaign, this may be a major problem for mission and campaign makers.

In anticipation, thanks for any help with this situation.

DFLion

DF_P51C_Ground_Attack (revised).zip

[[DBS]Tx_Tip]

On 1/11/2022 at 10:57 PM, DFLion said:

I've attached a 'zip' file of my latest ground attack mission. I would be very grateful if somebody could have a look at this mission and see if I am making a mistake with the ground attack setup in the mission.

I have exhaustively checked the 'ground attack' options in the 'full mission maker' and can't seem to get it working properly. The 4 Mustangs equipped with bombs and rockets are attacking the major railway marshaling yard at Seraing. I can't get all three following AI aircraft to fire their rockets in the first pass (after the player has successfully fired) and then later drop their bombs in the second pass. I noticed another post where a member was having a similar problem and finally 'gave-up'?

With a lot of 'ground pounding' coming up soon in the Normandy Campaign, this may be a major problem for mission and campaign makers.

In anticipation, thanks for any help with this situation.

DFLion

...

 

No takers huh?

 

Looking at the mission.

Mission has '5' 51-Bs target linked to the players aircraft. That's a lot of luggage to have any kind of fidelity with manipulating AI aircraft. Which is what you wish to accomplish in the mission.

 

As for the CMD: AttackArea (20632)

1) You have both Attack Ground and Attack Ground Targets checked within the Attack Targets: Never going to work properly or at all. Use one or the other.

Your mission needs to be 'Attack Ground Targets'

 

2) The Attack Area itself is miniscule and encompasses no Axis Objects. There is nothing for the AI to attack.

Expanding the Attack Area: 'to 1200 meters' would encompass the Flak vehicles and give the AI something to fire their rockets on in the first pass. AI initially homes in on Flak Objects unless given specific Attack commands with the CMD: Attack. 

 

3) It takes some time for the AI to set up their attack when given a general 'Attack Ground Targets command'. You are giving them little time with the attack ends Trigger (20633) and with the E/A all over them at Seraing as they will want to engage them.

Try giving them some more time. That's something you're going to have to reevaluate and perhaps change to give your attack flight the necessary time to expend both rockets and bombs. It's important to remember all AI do not behave the same when executing ground attack sorties.

 

Not to be condescending with the above observations or insulting here but this mission is set up to fail with the logic.

 

Tip 

 

 

 

[DFLion]

Thanks [DBS]Tx_Tip,

I appreciate your observations and fixes regarding the ground attack problems with the mission. I will implement them and give you a report on the outcomes. Back in the original IL2 Sturmovick game by Oleg Maddox, the whole ground attack set-up was a lot simpler, who could easily have four planes 'ground attacking' and it was just a matter of increasing the height and width of the attack to make it work properly. Today it is a bit more complicated and I don't feel there is enough information in the 'full mission builder' reference. Anyway it looks like we have a very good reference now on 'ground attack' - thanks again.

DFLion

[DFLion]

Report on revised ground attack mission. Well the mission now works a lot better. Your flight will circle the target area once before attacking. The AI then attack the AA and AAA batteries with rockets before finally attacking the railway marshalling yards with bombs - this is "logical" [DBS] Tx_Tip, thank you again.

You then have to watch out for the 'lurking Focke-Wulfs'?

I will post a revision 2 for this mission shortly.

DFLion

[[DBS]Tx_Tip]

 

14 hours ago, DFLion said:

Thanks [DBS]Tx_Tip,

I appreciate your observations and fixes regarding the ground attack problems with the mission. I will implement them and give you a report on the outcomes. Back in the original IL2 Sturmovick game by Oleg Maddox, the whole ground attack set-up was a lot simpler, who could easily have four planes 'ground attacking' and it was just a matter of increasing the height and width of the attack to make it work properly. Today it is a bit more complicated and I don't feel there is enough information in the 'full mission builder' reference. Anyway it looks like we have a very good reference now on 'ground attack' - thanks again.

DFLion

 

Alrighty, good to go then. 

[Jaegermeister]

12 hours ago, DFLion said:

Report on revised ground attack mission. Well the mission now works a lot better. Your flight will circle the target area once before attacking. The AI then attack the AA and AAA batteries with rockets before finally attacking the railway marshalling yards with bombs - this is "logical" [DBS] Tx_Tip, thank you again.

You then have to watch out for the 'lurking Focke-Wulfs'?

I will post a revision 2 for this mission shortly.

DFLion

 

The AI is now programmed to attack AA positions first if all else is equal. If they have enough time from the IP to the target, they sometimes attack on the first pass, but not always. You can make them attack the railyard first by manipulating your Attack Area size so that is the only target in it

[DFLion]

Jagermeister,

Thanks for this additional info on the ground attack options. Down the track when we get into the Normandy Campaign, I will be applying these options to get maximum game play from my ground attack missions.

DFLion