4.11 - AI debugging

[nevr44]

Originally Posted by ckolonko

Every time the AI use rockets for ground attacks, IL-2s that is, the rockets detonate in the air like the timed rockets do. So they rarely end up destroying their target.

Check the timer rockets at his plane

[secretone]

Sorry if this has been mentioned earlier, but here goes just in case it's still news.
I observed the Cant z.506B seaplane landing smoothly on grass of Normandy QMB map. It seemed able to taxi as well; like a ski plane sliding over snow.

Incidentally, I think it would be interesting if seaplane AI were programmed to detect rivers so they can make landings if inland. I do not know if this would be easy to do though.

[secretone]

Here's a postscript to my Cant z.506B note above. I discovered that H8K Emily, Ju 52 seaplane and PBN Nomad also can land on grass without apparent damage. Perhaps this has to do with the game engine and goes beyond the models themselves. Cheers!

[sniperton]

Originally Posted by secretone

I observed the Cant z.506B seaplane landing smoothly on grass of Normandy QMB map. It seemed able to taxi as well; like a ski plane sliding over snow.

Confirmed. Moreover, in 4.11, where Z506 was unable to take off with full load, such planes usually followed their flight path at zero altitude and ended up peacefully riding in the Lybian desert until they run into a hill or a British armed column...

[batistadk]

Hi.

I saw a post couple a weeks ago, about strange combat behaviour on the Ki-43. Couldn't check it yet, but looks like the Buffalo Mk. I got the same issues.

When using Autopilot, and for the rest of AI planes, the plane goes well on manouvers and dogfight. But, when the pilot is in position to fire the guns, he starts to fly as a dumb. It can't keep the aim, the pilot keeps raising the nose, loosing contact with the enemy, then starts to do strange stuff with the ailerons and rudder, as if the plane is "digging" in the air.

To test: try a default map on the QMB. Select at least 4 Buffalos against 4 fighters. Try to use the Autopilot, and check the other AI guys flying too.

What happens?

Thanks in advance.

batistadk

[batistadk]

Ok. More tests, and more intriguing questions.

Looks like the Hurricane Mk. IIc and Mk. II Field Mod. are suffering from the same problem as the Buffalo. Interesting data: all these planes are showing this AI issue when pitched against Bf. 109E models, including the Buffalo, earlier.

I'll continue with tests, trying to discover what's happening.

batistadk

[batistadk]

That's it.

Looks like FM, in general, have changed a bit. There's a lot of diferent situations where planes doesn't respond normally. I-153, I-16, LaGG, Ki-43 and others that I have already cited are suffering from this strange behaviour.

Looks like is something related to the planes maneuverability, and enemy's too. I have absent from IL-2 for at least two years, but can remember everything was normal until 4.10. With no doubt, something changed on 4.11.

Maybe a little late to 4.12, but TD could take a look at this on 4.13? Or this problem was already related?

Thanks for all the effort put on this, TD.

batistadk

[Pursuivant]

Five further quirks of AI.

When the player aircraft is set to AI settings the pilot/crew doesn't automatically bail out if the plane is fatally damaged. By contrast, crew in "native" AI planes bails out normally.

In some cases, even Ace AI is a bit too eager to bail out. For example, crew will often bail out of a plane with just ailerons or rudder out, or with just a missing vertical stabilizer rather than trying to get home, ditch or crash land. In other cases, AI fighter pilots will bail out of a plane which has severe damage but which isn't on fire and is still flyable - usually due to severe cockpit area damage.

In a few cases, Ace AI will briefly shoot when there is no target to hit. Typically, AI will shoot a very short (0.5-1 second) burst when they are passing high above an enemy in a 1-to-1 fight.

Ace AI will sometimes give up far too much positional advantage when engaging an enemy 1-to-1 starting head-to-head. That is, the plane will "corkscrew" out of the way of the enemy's guns, but then turn at least 60 degrees away from their original course, allowing the enemy to do a high-speed yo-yo/candelle turn right onto their tail.

Ace AI is very aggressive about making head-on shots against fighters. I've reported this before, but on closer inspection, it's really obvious that AI is ignoring factors which would make such a move a losing proposition - like going against a heavily-armed opponent or if flying a more fragile (e.g., inline vs. radial engine) plane. Furthermore, when Ace AI they do take head-on shots they shoot very long bursts and don't break off soon enough. This usually results in at least one mortally-wounded plane/pilot followed by a head-on collision.

While a head-on attack is valid if you've got a less maneuverable and slower plane, if you've got longer ranged guns (e.g., 0.50 caliber MG) it would make sense to make a quick (1-2 second at most) shot at extreme range (300-500 meters out) and then do a quick barrel roll or diving turn to get yourself out of your enemy's line of fire.

The exception might be if you're over home territory and are flying for an air force which was noted for "taran" style kills - VVS, IJN, IJA or some Luftwaffe.

[Jumoschwanz]

Anyone else notice that the Sherman tanks in IL2 make no noise when they shoot their main gun? Like they have a silence fitted or something....

[Volksfürsorge]

M4A2 (76) W Shermans have no sound. M4A2 Shermans have sound.