USMC Question

[Killbasa]

From years 2009-2020 the computer opponent when playing as the USMC doesn't seem to purchase any rifle squads/companies when playing against certain OOBs. So far in my testing I've noticed it occurring against Russia, Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, and the Muhajideen. Sometimes they will buy some light infantry (Fire teams) or scouts but there will be no regular infantry squads present at all. For example, I set a battle in 2017 with Russia as player 1 and USMC as player 2 and allowed the computer to select for USMC. The only infantry they bought were Javelin Teams and Stingers. Compare that to a 2025 battle against Russia and the computer opponent, as USMC, now buys the expected rifle companies. I have battle points set to default (It reads 'XXX' on the preferences menu). Is this how it is meant to be?

[DRG]

Originally Posted by Killbasa

From years 2009-2020 the computer opponent when playing as the USMC doesn't seem to purchase any rifle squads/companies when playing against certain OOBs. So far in my testing I've noticed it occurring against Russia, Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, and the Muhajideen. Sometimes they will buy some light infantry (Fire teams) or scouts but there will be no regular infantry squads present at all. For example, I set a battle in 2017 with Russia as player 1 and USMC as player 2 and allowed the computer to select for USMC. The only infantry they bought were Javelin Teams and Stingers. Compare that to a 2025 battle against Russia and the computer opponent, as USMC, now buys the expected rifle companies. I have battle points set to default (It reads 'XXX' on the preferences menu). Is this how it is meant to be?

Something is Borked. What is strange is it's taken this long to be noticed

I set up much the same test as you described only the points for both sides were approx 6300 per side and I bought a couple of tank platoons for the Russians then infantry Co's

The USMC picklist for 2017 bought an 81mm mortar, some stingers and Javalins along with a couple engineer platoons and a dozen M1's of various configurations. The Russian had 2 1/2 pages of infantry and 5 T-80's

I will have to look at the code and I might get time today but I am guessing the AI is being told to buy regular USMC infantry units for that time period that no longer exist in that time period if it's coded to pick specific formations for that time period and they do not exist in that time period it just doesn't buy them but goes through the list of other units and buys them and if you have enough points it will do that a number of times each time skipping over what isn't there for that time period

That said a LOT has gone on ( none good ) with me since the last time I dug around the code so this might take awhile......... The first thing I have to remember is what the USMC picklist is called

[Killbasa]

Some more clarification: it only happens against certain factions. If you try USMC against France during 2009-2020 you will see that infantry will be purchased as normal. If it helps I can test this against each faction and let you know against which ones the USMC does not buy infantry, just let me know.

[DRG]

OK....... still digging into this but a bell finally went off that I was thinking the picklists were buried in code......... they ARE for SPWW2 but they are DAT files in Game Data / Picklists in SPMBT

I am now trying to figure out...... and I KNOW I knew all like I knew my own name for over 2 frigging decades but ATM, it's not bubbling up to the surface

It will eventually and when I remember what we used to view these by nation I can check why there is a USMC infantry gap 2009-2020

[DRG]

Originally Posted by Killbasa

Some more clarification: it only happens against certain factions. If you try USMC against France during 2009-2020 you will see that infantry will be purchased as normal. If it helps I can test this against each faction and let you know against which ones the USMC does not buy infantry, just let me know.

That's good to know but for now wait until I or more probably Andy reminds me where the picklist viewer we use to set this up is

Yes it's odd that it is only happening with certain nations but without the picklist viewer all we can do is guess all day about it

[Mobhack]

It probably is what Don says - and it is baffling to me as well, as that OOB has been a key one and should be well tested so you think someone would notice - but maybe not that many play against them as the AI..

But right now, I had laser eye surgery yesterday and the left eye is rather sore and vision fuzzy while the bruising goes down, so not good at peering at spreadsheets but hopefully in a few days I will be better, maybe over the weekend..

It will be some small thing - wrong formation ID due to someone editing formation data or perhaps a typo when transferring data across to the DAT file from the spreadsheet master.

[DRG]

FOUND IT

"Convoluted" is a mild word for both the way I found it and the USMC picklist itself which was designed by Suhiir and is the MOST extensive and complex picklist in the game by a long shot. There are 148 unit catagories and the they start at column "B" and end in "FL"

so......... 148 X164 = 24,272

It truly is a monster motherf****r

Then there is this

Main Control files for nation 13 - USMC
Most folk Viet Nam & light list Iraq List Mujadeen 10/2001+
PK013000.dat PK013001.dat PK013002.dat PK013003.dat

And that partly explains why you are seeing different results for different nations but to make matters worse what you are reporting happening crosses the "most folk" / Mujadeen line

THIS MAY TAKE AWHILE...( and may never be resolved )...because between 2009 and 2020 there are 10 picklists just for "Most folk".. in the meantime I would suggest if you want to fight the USMC as P2 pick a time outside the dates you recorded OR if you REALLY want a battle from 2009-2020 then set the USMC to Human purchace and pick what you think is appropriate for the battle you want to play out


What I CAN say right now is the picklist taps Formation 702 as the Leg Rifle Co 1 ID (MANDATORY). THAT SHOULD BE BOUGHT NO MATTER WHAT IN ALL CASES


I can also confirm that 702 IS INDEED in the master OOB for USMC that I have ( Rifle Co (+)---1/99 - 6/120) . ...... Which version of the game are you playing BTW?

BUT

702 should be picked, it is the master leg formation for that time period

[Killbasa]

I am playing on version 17.0, extended.

[DRG]

OK thanks, just checking to make sure were are both seeing the same thing with the same OOB's and picklists

[DRG]

Originally Posted by Mobhack

It will be some small thing - wrong formation ID due to someone editing formation data or perhaps a typo when transferring data across to the DAT file from the spreadsheet master.

That's what I thought as well but the picklist for USMC 01/2009-06/2020 ( P0130136.dat)
does not have any wierdness I have found ( no extra spaces etc etc ) it SHOULD BE picking Formation 702 right after it puts down the command unit
1
702
722
1950
17
659
1800
8
674
491
318
4950
10
335
2750
33
502
148
37
237
236
3
809
797
3475
66
22
30
33
581
24
581
24
20
29
137
75
180
187
4000
180
187
5050
182
0
5000
106
0
10000
126
850
0
0
5
106
1000
5
57
3
110
900
269
875
50
247
1800
267
1775
50
262
925
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
189
175
15
0
0
0
0
150
0
65
61
0
0
60
0
0
0
124
123
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
67
154
65
46
45
136
50
147
0
598
263
0
41
525
75
25
0
10
2
90
325
575
327
329
1350
609
89
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
197
295
294
0