Hearts of Iron IV

[Ian C]

I'm seeing the AI exploit gaps and it starts encirclements.

One of my gamey strategies while playing as the UK in 1939 is to make a dash across North Africa to seal off all ports and win an early victory in this theatre. I tried it this time and I'm currently having my ass handed to me.
The Italian AI is choking off all undefended stretches. Despite me having naval superiority in the Mediterranean, it performed a paradrop to cut off my forces heading towards Tunis and then retook a major port. It regrouped their attrited forces in North Africa and started picking holes through my lines of supply.
My advance is now halted and I'm having to retreat to consolidate a proper front.

In Belgium I had a force of several divisions and through past experience I knew I could hold off the AI for a while before I had to retreat.
This time, the German AI sent fast forces and outflanked me before I reacted and I was cut off in true Dunkirk fashion. I hadn't been paying as much notice to this encirclement but it happened in the space of a day.

I'd say that at the very least, it's playing a lot better than previous versions.

EDIT: While my Med Fleet is repairing, the German AI sent 5 Infantry, 1 Mountain and 1 Armour division into Northern Africa.

[Ian C]

Yup, I can definitely confirm the AI Japanese Pacific War is working.

[acctingman]

Every time one of you guys updates this thread with sceenies I get tempted to fire it up again 

[Gusington]

Hmm...

[IronX]

When the AI realizes it's made a terrible mistake invading central Australia:



;)

[ArizonaTank]

I'd say that at the very least, it's playing a lot better than previous versions.

I concur.  I am not seeing some of the terribly stupid Grand Strategy mistakes the AI routinely made in HOI3.  On a more operational level, it is behaving decently as well.  Finally a solid AI for this great series.

[HoodedHorseJoe]

Prying the Japanese off the small islands is really hard work, especially without Marine units. As Australia I didn't really bother going down that route due to limited research and production capabilities, which I regret now.

We've just thrown Japan off mainland Asia though, so my war is shifting towards the Middle East. Invading Japan is probably a no-go until either the US or maybe the UK AI takes out the Japanese navy. In mean time I'm trying to take some of the bigger islands and wait for an opening.

[Ian C]

It's much better. Much much better.

I started in '39 as the UK and I'm really getting a very different game experience from previous versions and it's challenging me.
The AI is acting like a player. So far, it's beaten me twice in the same game: once in North Africa, which was a two-year fight to take back (and it sent German reinforcements too) and in Spain. I drew Spain into the war and got pushed back and now I've lost Gibraltar which has never happened to me before.
The Australian AI also fought back against a Japanese invasion and pushed them out.

I'd say the AI has changed for the better considerably in every way.

[bboyer66]

Good news on the AI front finally !!!!!  :clap:

[sandman2575]

Agree this is all good news -- but I read lots of reports on Pdox site that the AI division spamming is worse than ever -- https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/whats-the-point-of-this.989811/#post-22224439

Germany AI fielding 800 divisions in '41 is a problem...

[Ian C]

Agree this is all good news -- but I read lots of reports on Pdox site that the AI division spamming is worse than ever -- https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/whats-the-point-of-this.989811/#post-22224439

Germany AI fielding 800 divisions in '41 is a problem...

This needs fixing. There is/was a mod for capping the divisions at historical levels...

[sandman2575]

Pdox also really need to address the way the AI constantly sends expeditionary forces / lends divisions to allies. I would get offers from Hungary to send me 80+ divisions, or offers from Venezuela to pitch in...  I'd almost rather they eliminate exped. forces completely than have to deal with these ridiculously unrealistic scenarios.

[mikeck]

 What I don't understand is that this is not their first rodeo. I understand AI issues but having the computer build unbelievable amounts of divisions and then not equip them with anything seems like basic stuff. I know it's a complex gain but this engine is been around for a long time and this game has been out for a while now.

I constantly watch modders improve games like thiis, EU IV, crusader kings and all the total war games removing most of the bugs. If they can do it I don't understand why the developer seem to have so much trouble.

I bought hearts of iron the day it came out but have not played it. It's such a complex game that I need to make sure that things I'm doing are or are not correct and the unwanted results are my fault and not a bug. I suppose it's good enough for that but I'd hate to prepare for a huge fight against Germany only to plow through it like a hot knife through butter because none of it's divisions have any weapons.

EDIT: seems some are getting better results with the 1.3.1 beta. Has something to do with AI templates

[Ian C]

EDIT: seems some are getting better results with the 1.3.1 beta. Has something to do with AI templates

Ah - should have mentioned I'm playing the 1.3.1 beta.

[mikeck]

Oh well. Guess it doesn't fix the problem then.

No need to start a new thread but I have a question related to the game. Am important thread was closed on the Paradox forum after several warnings to players about posting screenshots that contain the image of a swastika. The game came out using the German Empire flag (I think) but you can mod in the actual German WW2 flag.

Now, I understand that depiction of a swastika is illegal in Germany and I get their history. But Cmon, it's been 75 years! Also, why lock the thread? Isn't Paradox in Sweden? Are people so offended by the swastica that they won't accept the fact that it is part of history. I know Germany was trying to stifle a potential resurgence of national socialism but is that still necessary? It's a strong healthy democracy, why not let someone use the flag of they want so long as it is not used in a manner designed to offend or promote naziism/national socialism?

Just seems ridiculous to go apoplectic and shut down a thread because a screenshot had a swastica on a flag