Airfield Nuetralization

[stan23]

Any way to increase chances that airfields are neutralized by strat bombers, I know airfields can get a white flag just like a city, but IMO it doesn't happen as often as I think it should.

[captainjack]

Neutralisation chance is half the bomber efficiency.
Bomber efficiency = strength x [stars +2], so 20 for a brand new bomber and 105% for a 5* 15 strength one. Neutralisation chance is 10% and 52% respectively.
Efficiency (and therefore neutralisation) is halved in cloudy weather.
The type and stats of the bomber and heroes don't affect efficiency or neutralisation chances.

So the only way to improve neutralisation chance is to gain experience and overstrength your bombers. Experience gain is quick for strategic bombers (at least up to about 3*), and a 13 strong 3* bomber will be running at 32% neutralisation chance, which is reasonably good.

I once took out five enemy aircraft by neutralising an airfield at just the right time to stop them refuelling, so it can be very useful.

[stan23]

I assume airfields and cities are the same then?
Thanx for the reply

[captainjack]

Yes, airfields and cities are the same for neutralisation.
But there is something I forgot to mention before.
You can't neutralise a Victory Hex of any sort. However, bombing a VH city auses prestige loss equal to half the efficiency (so same as the neutralisation chance). There's no prestige loss if it's just a normal hex, and I can't remember what happens to VH airfields.

[stan23]

Got it. Thanx much
Cheers from Virginia

[maguro]

Very useful info, thanks!

Does anyone know the best way to script AI bombers to go after cities/airfields to neutralize them?

[captainjack]

Maybe you could assign Zone X to all non-VH cities and airfields, then give the bombers instructions to "move to" or "Patrol" zone X.
I have a suspicion the AI only attacks units rather than places, but this at least would send the bombers to the right area.

[maguro]

That’s kind of what I had in mind but I too expect the AI to just fly over. I remember when playing panzer general (maybe pg 2 also) back in the day, the AI loved to “prestige bomb” my cities. I’d like to make some scenarios that factor in the allied bombing campaign so thos feature would be useful. I guess another option is to use factories as targets.

[stan23]

I too remember 'Prestige Bombing' in PG, very cool, they should bring that back.

[maguro]

I ran a quick test and, as was expected, the bombers were just flying over the patrol zones assigned to them without attacking.