Friendly Fire Bug?

[BeeSting]

If the unit behind is within range of the enemy they will still try to engage even though they can't get a good shot because someone is in the way. Turn off "Fire at will" for the units behind to try and limit friendly fire when you've got two lines.

The problem is not the human player but the AI, I have as you said turn off fire at will (what pain! What micro management!) I witnessed the AI army decimating its own in front with units on the back.

[CBR]

It does seem somewhat bugged. Fire at will should not allow units to fire into friendly units. That should only happen if the player gives a specific target that overrides the "safety"


CBR

[Vuk]

It does seem somewhat bugged. Fire at will should not allow units to fire into friendly units. That should only happen if the player gives a specific target that overrides the "safety"


CBR

Ok, I'll agree with that.

[BeeSting]

It does seem somewhat bugged. Fire at will should not allow units to fire into friendly units. That should only happen if the player gives a specific target that overrides the "safety"


CBR

Exactly my point; thank you!

AI was mowing down its own with musket fire. How realistic is it to mow your own down just because it is in between you and your target?

Although it has been heard of with artillery at long ranges... but shooting into the backs of your friendly soldiers directly in front of you so you can get a clear shot doesn't sound right.

[caravel]

It does seem somewhat bugged. Fire at will should not allow units to fire into friendly units. That should only happen if the player gives a specific target that overrides the "safety"


CBR

Precisely. Friendly fire is one thing but there is no way a friendly unit should shoot at a nearby and visible friendly unit. Most friendly fire during the period came from artillery anyway.

It's a bug and a horrible one at that.

[ArtillerySmoke]

The problem is not the human player but the AI, I have as you said turn off fire at will (what pain! What micro management!) I witnessed the AI army decimating its own in front with units on the back.

Micromanagement is what the battles are all about lol.

[Strategy]

I've seen the AI decimate its own units with its artillery (someone in the way... no matter, just fire at will).

The irritating thing is that since your own artillery will also select its targets automatically, it will happily turn its guns to rake the units just beside it. I actually tried setting up my cannons in position, only to have the cannon pivot right to fire at an enemy, with the result that the rearmost cannon gave the unit to its right a pointblank dose of roundshot. Instant kill. Unless this is fixed, cannons will need constant micro-managing.

It seems to me that turning off fire at will doesn't always work; whenever I unlimber the cannons, it always automatically turned on.

[ArtillerySmoke]

I've seen the AI decimate its own units with its artillery (someone in the way... no matter, just fire at will).

The irritating thing is that since your own artillery will also select its targets automatically, it will happily turn its guns to rake the units just beside it. I actually tried setting up my cannons in position, only to have the cannon pivot right to fire at an enemy, with the result that the rearmost cannon gave the unit to its right a pointblank dose of roundshot. Instant kill. Unless this is fixed, cannons will need constant micro-managing.

It seems to me that turning off fire at will doesn't always work; whenever I unlimber the cannons, it always automatically turned on.

Ah ok, I see what you guys mean about micromanagement now. Hopefully this is something that's ironed out before retail ships. I would imagine it's a quick fix on CA's end.

[BeeSting]

Unless CA has already been working on this, I doubt we will see a fix before the release.

[ArtillerySmoke]

I haven't played the demo myself. I need to see this artillery in action before I decide if it's "too much" micromanagement.

[BeeSting]

I haven't played the demo myself. I need to see this artillery in action before I decide if it's "too much" micromanagement.

It's not just the artillery; when there are two lines of infantry, one in front and one in back, they both fire when enemy is in range and in line of sight. So you see two lines of musket smokes. The rear line units shoot almost point blank into the back of their own units in front.

[Sir Beane]

Unless CA has already been working on this, I doubt we will see a fix before the release.

There is a patch being released on the release date, so maybe that contains a fix?

[BeeSting]

There is a patch being released on the release date, so maybe that contains a fix?

Ah, I didn't know about that. I hope CA had caught this early enough to implement it on the first patch.

[ArtillerySmoke]

Ah, I didn't know about that. I hope CA had caught this early enough to implement it on the first patch.

If it's a legitimate issue, let's HOPE that it's ironed out in the day 1 patch - or else what is the point of the day 1 patch?

With the majority of combat now focused on skirmishing with gunpowder units, this needs to be not only working as intended, but perfect.

[BeeSting]

It is a huge downer... I can't even play the demo anymore and having second thoughts about buying the game.

CA has never mentioned this problem and I don't even know if they are working to solve this issue.

[Sir Beane]

It is a huge downer... I can't even play the demo anymore and having second thoughts about buying the game.

CA has never mentioned this problem and I don't even know if they are working to solve this issue.

It's possible it has already been solved. A guy at TWC who got to play the game in Germany at an open day mentioned that after playing the full game the demo seemed like really old cold and that the proper game was much better.

[BeeSting]

It's possible it has already been solved. A guy at TWC who got to play the game in Germany at an open day mentioned that after playing the full game the demo seemed like really old cold and that the proper game was much better.

It seems he might have missed this issue too since this is the only thread pointing to the problem. Who knows... I just want some confirmation from CA that this is being worked on and that it will be patched at the release of the game before I spend my money only to be disappointed fighting the self-destructive AI.

[Sir Beane]

It seems he might have missed this issue too since this is the only thread pointing to the problem. Who knows... I just want some confirmation from CA that this is being worked on and that it will be patched at the release of the game before I spend my money only to be disappointed fighting the self-destructive AI.

Well those of us who have pre-ordered (like me) will very quickly be able to tell you if it is still a problem once the game ships. So you will no in a week or so . If you aren't sure about buying the game a review from an Orgah should help you decide.

[BeeSting]

I, too, am pretty anxious about this as the release date draws near.

[ArtillerySmoke]

A lot of videos and screenshots are out today on our forums here. Anyone see evidence of this occurring in the core game?