Bug: AI Direct Firing Through Smoke

[RERomine]

I just had two 25pdrs (ATG Role) appear to continue firing at two tanks in a direct fire role after they fired their smoke dischargers. The save immediately after this occurred is attached, so it should be visible in the replay. It is possible for this to occur if a unit fires in an "area fire" mode, but I don't know if the AI does this or would have in this case.

Just as a note on the replay, the smoke the tanks popped appears to make it look like the 25pdrs were firing through smoke the whole time. In reality, when they started firing, there was no smoke immediately in front of either tank. Only the last shot taken by each 25pdr appeared to be made through the smoke.

[Mobhack]

Originally Posted by RERomine

I just had two 25pdrs (ATG Role) appear to continue firing at two tanks in a direct fire role after they fired their smoke dischargers. The save immediately after this occurred is attached, so it should be visible in the replay. It is possible for this to occur if a unit fires in an "area fire" mode, but I don't know if the AI does this or would have in this case.

Just as a note on the replay, the smoke the tanks popped appears to make it look like the 25pdrs were firing through smoke the whole time. In reality, when they started firing, there was no smoke immediately in front of either tank. Only the last shot taken by each 25pdr appeared to be made through the smoke.

I had just noticed this the other night, an Italian 75mm heavy ATG fired at a matilda which popped smoke and then fired again post the smoke pop. Already on my list to investigate. (the matilda could not fire on it in its phase and that gun did not fire at it next turn so it is an edge condition of the reaction fire phase most likely). Seems to be a WW2 only thing, as I have not seen this in MBT. May also be something to do with the unit class as both your event and mine seem to involve the heavy ATG, I have never seen tanks or regular ATG do that.

Andy

[RERomine]

It was the first time I've ever seen it.

I'm trying to think of other conditions that were specific to this instance. One thing I can think of is both 25pdrs that fired and been undetected up to this point. Another thing is both tanks fired upon had been stationary. The only reason the 25pdrs didn't fire earlier is smoke had blocked visibility. Once the smoke cleared, the guns fired.

I know it will be difficult to fix if you can't recreate the problem. One of the first things I do at work is try to recreate problems when users tell me some program or process isn't working correctly. It's a bear to fix if I can't do that.

It's probably not too unrealistic for a gun to fire a shot or two into the smoke if the target had been stationary when it started firing. If you figure the shots had been close and the target might start moving, a shot might connect if the target moves into the path of the shot.

[DRG]

Originally Posted by RERomine

It's probably not too unrealistic for a gun to fire a shot or two into the smoke if the target had been stationary when it started firing. If you figure the shots had been close and the target might start moving, a shot might connect if the target moves into the path of the shot.

The thing is this is new behaviour brought on by God only knows what tweak made to the code God only knows when. It would appear the smoke event is not being recorded until the end of the turn *maybe* for that one unit class only and yes, that is odd but until we can set up a situation that's repeatable we won't know for sure. It's a new one to me as well

Don

[RERomine]

Originally Posted by DRG

The thing is this is new behaviour brought on by God only knows what tweak made to the code God only knows when. It would appear the smoke event is not being recorded until the end of the turn *maybe* for that one unit class only and yes, that is odd but until we can set up a situation that's repeatable we won't know for sure. It's a new one to me as well

Don

It seems like it will be difficult to reproduce in a controlled situation. I've tried using the same situation (British 25pdr vs. Pzkw IIIj/1) and others using different heavy ATGs and the first step is to get the target to not die and pop smoke. The targets are being not obliging on both of those requirements.

[gila]

Originally Posted by DRG

The thing is this is new behaviour brought on by God only knows what tweak made to the code God only knows when. It would appear the smoke event is not being recorded until the end of the turn *maybe* for that one unit class only and yes, that is odd but until we can set up a situation that's repeatable we won't know for sure. It's a new one to me as well

Don

Or firing into the windward leading edge of the smoke being laid might get the firing unit a "lucky hit",would seem to be realistic also, or did you just make that point?