Programmed Opponent

With a written order system proposed in the rules, I have now drafted a high level programmed opponent to manage the command orders for one side in a battle.

The rules will allow for the implementation of a programmed opponent for solo play. The programmed opponent sets the command orders for each command. The programmed opponent relies on the player setting likely order options based on a reasonable assessment of the current situation for that command. The player will still need to manage the tactical implementation of these command orders through unit orders.

When a command has the initiative, a command order check is undertaken. At the start of the game, a command order check is done on every command to allocate starting orders. During subsequent turns, a command order check is done on each command until a change in orders is triggered. Only 1 change of orders can be made by the programmed opponent each turn. Once a command has new orders, no other command checks are done for that turn. 

The player needs to define up to 3 command order options for the current command using the following principles:

• Unless defining starting orders, add the current order.
• Add up to 2 likely order options for the command given the current situation.

Order options should consider:

• The need to take or hold major and minor objectives
• The number of hits sustained by the command.
• Command orders allocated to any adjacent commands.
• If there are any supporting commands.
• The proximity of enemy troops.
• Whether the command is under fire.

The order is then selected by a roll of a d6 die.

When the Army Leader has the initiative, select the 2 or 3 commands in most need of CPs and roll a d6 die to select the recipient.

I have prepared a simple guide for selecting order options for the programmed opponent for the Russians in the Battle of Smoliani scenario (map below)

Battle of Smoliani - Russian Programmed Opponent

The following table lists suggested command order options for each Russian command:

Command	Condition	Suggested Command Order Options
Prince Jachwill, Line 1	Starting	Defend gap between large lake and Smoliani
Prince Jachwill, Line 1	If outflanked and unsupported	Retire until flank protected
Prince Jachwill, Line 1	If suffering significant hits	Defend bridge approaches
Prince Jachwill, Infantry	Starting	Reserve Defend bridges from behind river
Prince Jachwill, Infantry	If French attack Line 1	Partial Support Line 1
Prince Jachwill, Cavalry	Starting	Reserve
Prince Jachwill, Cavalry	If French cavalry threaten right flank	Partial Advance to counter threat
Prince Jachwill, Cavalry	If one or both bridges taken	Attack bridges
Right Wing, Sazanov	Starting	Reserve Partial Advance to Smoliani Partial Advance to ridge south of Smoliani
Right Wing, Sazanov	If French attack Smoliani	Supported Attack on Smoliani
Right Wing, Sazanov	If French attack Smoliani and ridge to south	Attack on Smoliani and ridge
Right Wing, Adadourov	Starting	Reserve
Right Wing, Adadourov	If French cavalry threaten right flank	Cavalry Advance to counter threat
Right Wing, Adadourov	If Sazanov takes Smoliani or ridge	Support Sazanov
Right Wing, Adadourov	If Sazanov needs support	Support Sazanov
Left Wing, Bibikov	Starting	Defend Lukmolia River Partial Advance to hill between wooded areas Full Advance to hill between wooded areas
Left Wing, Lukov	Starting	Reserve
Left Wing, Lukov	If one or both bridges taken	Supported Attack on bridges