AB1943 - World War II mod link/desc here [UPDATED 22/10/22]

[Veitikka]

ORIGINAL: RockinHarry

Main hindrance rather is "broken" engagement range SOP where units neglect given orders for soft and hard targets. Doesn´t make sense nor adds to motivation tweaking terrain graphics, when there´s such a game breaker. I´m fairly new to AB so can´t tell if the SOP behavior is as it was from the beginning (a feature) or introduced with a patch, or with AB43 mod maybe. A Matrix forum and Steam search yielded no answers unfortunately. Same with the game manual.

It's a feature that was added in a patch. Before it units never engaged the enemy if the range was set to zero, so the player had to micromanage a unit and reset the range if the unit was detected and had to defend itself. It can be debated if in a real situation a unit would have discipline to hold fire when under attack.

From what I remember the feedback about the change was positive.

[RockinHarry]

ORIGINAL: Veitikka

ORIGINAL: RockinHarry

Main hindrance rather is "broken" engagement range SOP where units neglect given orders for soft and hard targets. Doesn´t make sense nor adds to motivation tweaking terrain graphics, when there´s such a game breaker. I´m fairly new to AB so can´t tell if the SOP behavior is as it was from the beginning (a feature) or introduced with a patch, or with AB43 mod maybe. A Matrix forum and Steam search yielded no answers unfortunately. Same with the game manual.

It's a feature that was added in a patch. Before it units never engaged the enemy if the range was set to zero, so the player had to micromanage a unit and reset the range if the unit was detected and had to defend itself. It can be debated if in a real situation a unit would have discipline to hold fire when under attack.

From what I remember the feedback about the change was positive.

I understand. Main problem though is general target selection after SOP range reset. In AB43 mod there´s far less AT weaponry among all units and target selections then do not coincide with enemy units apparent threat levels. I.e I set my tanks (and not just them) to Hold Fire - S and Effective Range - H. After forced reset to MAX S/H my tanks almost always start engaging enemies that do not pose an immediate threat, like infantry, trucks etc. but not enemy armor they just received fire from and triggered the SOP reset. Then from all spotted enemies (blue ring) some far away infantry or truck gets targeted, instead of the armor. This leads to instant heavy losses cause the tanks turn toward the unimportant enemies, exposing side and rear armor toward enemy AT that keeps up constant shooting. So my question is: How is threat ratings handled generally? Think the main issue is buried in here and not set engagement ranges alone. [&:]

[Veitikka]

ORIGINAL: RockinHarry

I understand. Main problem though is general target selection after SOP range reset. In AB43 mod there´s far less AT weaponry among all units and target selections then do not coincide with enemy units apparent threat levels. I.e I set my tanks (and not just them) to Hold Fire - S and Effective Range - H. After forced reset to MAX S/H my tanks almost always start engaging enemies that do not pose an immediate threat, like infantry, trucks etc. but not enemy armor they just received fire from and triggered the SOP reset. Then from all spotted enemies (blue ring) some far away infantry or truck gets targeted, instead of the armor. This leads to instant heavy losses cause the tanks turn toward the unimportant enemies, exposing side and rear armor toward enemy AT that keeps up constant shooting. So my question is: How is threat ratings handled generally? Think the main issue is buried in here and not set engagement ranges alone. [&:]

The main criteria for identified targets is the purchase cost, which is calculated automatically, or the overriding 'value' attribute set in the database editor. I can see that in the AB1943 database these are set for the tanks and trucks, so the system should understand that a tank is a more valuable target than an infantry squad or a truck. Then there are other factors, for example vehicles are more valuable than non-vehicles. The distance to the target counts.

Perhaps if you posted a screenshot of a situation we could analyze why the AI ignores a high value threat.

[RockinHarry]

ORIGINAL: Veitikka

The main criteria for identified targets is the purchase cost, which is calculated automatically, or the overriding 'value' attribute set in the database editor. I can see that in the AB1943 database these are set for the tanks and trucks, so the system should understand that a tank is a more valuable target than an infantry squad or a truck. Then there are other factors, for example vehicles are more valuable than non-vehicles. The distance to the target counts.

Perhaps if you posted a screenshot of a situation we could analyze why the AI ignores a high value threat.

Okay. Had some screenshots prepared, but at last found the odd targeting issue caused by something more specific. Think it has been mentioned in other threads before. It´s when an AFV runs out of "ready ammo" while in the midst of an engagement. Instead of pulling new ammo (i.e needed AP) from internal stores, a unit switches to other still ready ammo (in this case HE) and then switches to an appropiate target which is "soft". I had numerous occurances where just this happened. I.e a Tiger tank was engaging a couple T-34 frontally, which were shooting back and thus triggering the MAX S/H engagement range reset. The Tiger run out of "ready" AP and with enforced MAX S/H started engaging a far away enemy infantry unit in a different map sector. The Tiger turned both hull and turret towards the infantry and at last got killed by T-34 still shooting at now exposed side and rear armor. Suffice to say this is most stupid behavior.

In my editable test AB43 data set I changed some tanks gun ammo all to "ready" (0 in store). This eased the problem somewhat. As long as there´s high threat enemy units (AT) in range and LOS, the edited unit doesn´t switch to low threat enemies anymore.

But that´s just one the symptoms. Question still is why should a single enemy shot override both, soft and hard engagement ranges to MAX, however they were set initially? The AIP forces suffer from same issues with engagement ranges set to MAX by default. Other related issues is waste of ammunition and loss of time cause units are always enforced to shoot at something (in LOS and range), when moving would be the better option. Makes the whole SOP range setting thing pointless. As said at this point the whole sim becomes fairly unplayable to me unfortunately.[:(]

[RockinHarry]

Here´s some screen from a current generated campaign. 1943 german bad guys vs. soviet guards on beautifull ardennes map. Both sides forces auto generated. Just purchased an additional Arty. asset. As one can see I set lots of (to me) tactical meaningfull range settings. Those without rings are set to Hold fire usually. Those which are currently enforced to MAX left aside. If I´d leave all to default SOP´s then it usually develops to an arcade like slaughter. Not my style of play, considering the big potential of the game engine and paired with a WW2 mod in particular.

Also to be seen is a huge truck cemetary. Trucks are rather a big annoyance since the AIP uses them offensively and tend to soak up a players available AT ammo. Also default AIP formations spacing is far too large.This leads to various issues that do the AIP no good. I´d wish for an optional setting that deals with it before an AIP force is deployed. Maybe less of an issue with modern forces (due to better C2), but helps deployments and gives the AIP more of a "Schwerpunkt" in case formations are placed closer to each other as well.

Another issue is artillery responsiveness in general. Considering this also is a ME battle in WW2 this leads to very unrealistic amount and accuracy of Arty strikes. My only tank force (a Tiger Plt) was chased across the battlefield constantly, no matter if moving or staying still. Considering amount of given TRP´s and their size no wonder actually. Feels very unrealistic in a WW2 setting. So again would be nice to have an Options setting to fine tune this before start of any battle or campaign. Same for given C2 capabilities. Still far too responsive in a WW2 setting. Considering radios are rather few and C2 more relying on runners and such. Very strange that i.e it takes no time to delete a movement order or change formation, while changing SOP engagement ranges takes a rather big orders delay. Wished one could fine tune all that better.

I´ve made a number of notes for KarlTaco but don´t know if he reads here. I dislike posting detailed stuff at Steam.

[brallo100]

ORIGINAL: nikolas93TS

Yes, unzip it to the Armored Brigade\data\database folder. When you start the game, select Change Settings, and on the next screen, on the left where it says Database: use the drop down menu and select AB1943.

(although I would recommend using Steam if possible until CarlTaco update his repository, if it it true that this version is missing flags).

I did as explained above. Got message that all the files were loaded successfully. But then I can't see any single mission or campaign [:(]

[nikolas93TS]

There are no yet any scenario or campaigns for this mod.

[brallo100]

ORIGINAL: nikolas93TS

There are no yet any scenario or campaigns for this mod.

[:D] I see. The mod's description misled me [8D] Thanks!

[altipueri]

Hi,

I just played this again and really enjoyed it.

Thanks for all the work it must involve.

[altipueri]

Ha,

I didn't even realise I now had British and US troops as well as Russians and Germans..

Great fun, thanks again.

[spinocus]

Amazing! Are any of the DLCs required to play AB 1943?

[nikolas93TS]

No DLC needed, but France-Belgium pack gives you the Ardennes map.

[KarlTaco]

Thanks mate, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Add Japan to the list now.

[Clux]

Hey guys, I'm tempted to buy the game on GoG but I would like to know if mods downloaded from matrix forums also work fine. I know than the game its also available on steam but I like to have my games DMR free (and due regional pricing its cheaper than in matrix store).

[KarlTaco]

Hey, there shouldn't be any issues. You'll just have to manually place the mod's folder into the game's 'data' folder.

[Clux]

ORIGINAL: KarlTaco

Hey, there shouldn't be any issues. You'll just have to manually place the mod's folder into the game's 'data' folder.

Thanks!

[prasadrj]

Hello, I have the GOG version. I installed the mod by adding the entire folder "AB1943" to the database folder and select AB1943 as the database at launch options. When I start the game, there are no scenarios/campaigns listed. All lists are empty. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance!

[nikolas93TS]

There is nothing wrong, AB1943 doesn't come (yet) with own scenarios and/or campaigns.

[prasadrj]

Thanks! Worked well for generating mission

[zasgard]

Thinking of grabbing this game on sale and this mod is super intriguing. After watching a youtube video of it (DasTactics) it totally reminded me of a beefy Steel Panthers, so it's a fir sure purchase.

I did read up a little about the game as I'm not a super knowledgeable tactical wargamer (but trying to become one).I read that setting up your game and proper placement is crucial. Is there an option in the game to have your units auto-placed or is this strictly a manual process?

Any good youtubers out there showing good "how to play" videos? (other than DasTactics...currently watching his).

Thanks