How to create a convincing convoy in the Editor?

[RedRage 0]

First of all - I am a total newbie to OFP/ARMA mission editing scene, so please explain like you would to a 5 year old :)

Currently I am trying to create a convincing convoy ambush mission with a fairly large convoy, however i cannot figure out how to get vihicles to follow each other in beliavable fashion. The basic set up is 4 motorized inf groups, a tank, few mechanized groups, few UAZs, and an HQ vihicle. Currently, i'm setting waypoints for troops to mount their respective vihicles and then set individual waypoints for every vihicle. Several problems with that: 1) vihicles that do not have troops to mount get an early head start, 2) with individual waypoints AI drivers simply go crazy with speed and what happens is that convoy arrives to an ambush area in peacemeal fashion totally ruining the intent of the mission.

Is there a way to make troops mount their respective vihicles and then all those vihicles follow a lead vihicle (say a tank) in a column formation with entire convoy starting movement at the same time and moving at a pace of a lead vihicle?

Also, with respect to ambushing forces, if i have 3 groups spaced out along the road, how to make 2 of those groups that see the convoy earlier not to open fire but rather wait until lead vihicle passes the last group (with last group opening fire first and then everyone else following)?

Appreciate all the help in advance!

[trickster1982 10]

Sorry I cant help you with the editor, but heres some inspiration for a convoy ambush involving the russian army if you need it :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThKBe3TiVAE

taken from the film "9th company"

[RedRage 0]

Sorry I cant help you with the editor, but heres some inspiration for a convoy ambush involving the russian army if you need it :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThKBe3TiVAE

taken from the film "9th company"

Being Russian I've seen it plenty of times :) Controversial film, considering that most of the participants from 9th Company of an actual engagement are alive and well today. "Afganskiy izlom" was much better (and the whole thing is on utube i believe).

[chaplainDMK 10]

Well there are a lot of convoy types. I mean a convoy as far as i understand is a group of transports or vehicles.

So, a general outline id use for a convoy would be for lets say a truck convoy.

A lead vehicle like a light jeep/armored car

2nd vehicle should be something like a BMP (with infantry ofcourse)

And then 4 trucks

And a rear vehicle (something more powerfull since the first vehicles are basicaly cannon fodder for stachel charges and mines), preferably a tank.

And then just multiply the escort for the ammount of trucks (example: for 8 trucks: UAZ--- BMP--- BMP--- 8x Truck ---Tank ---Tank --- UAZ) and myb throw in a shilka or tonguska for AA.

If your making a armored column then the same just stick tanks and have more AA since armored columns are the mince meat for choppers.

It depends alot on the type of convoy.

[RedRage 0]

Well there are a lot of convoy types. I mean a convoy as far as i understand is a group of transports or vehicles.

So, a general outline id use for a convoy would be for lets say a truck convoy.

A lead vehicle like a light jeep/armored car

2nd vehicle should be something like a BMP (with infantry ofcourse)

And then 4 trucks

And a rear vehicle (something more powerfull since the first vehicles are basicaly cannon fodder for stachel charges and mines), preferably a tank.

And then just multiply the escort for the ammount of trucks (example: for 8 trucks: UAZ--- BMP--- BMP--- 8x Truck ---Tank ---Tank --- UAZ) and myb throw in a shilka or tonguska for AA.

If your making a armored column then the same just stick tanks and have more AA since armored columns are the mince meat for choppers.

It depends alot on the type of convoy.

I think you totally misunderstood what i am asking. I don't want to know what the convoy consists of, but what to do to make it happen in the Editor. What specific commands to use, attach what to what, and what specific waypoints to issue.

[Master gamawa 0]

I think that you have to make their waypoint behavior "safe" to make them move in a column.

Also you should only give a waypoint to the leading unit and group them to that unit. I am not sure if that will help but that's what I do.

[RedRage 0]

I think that you have to make their waypoint behavior "safe" to make them move in a column.

Also you should only give a waypoint to the leading unit and group them to that unit. I am not sure if that will help but that's what I do.

How do you group units?

[.kju 3240]

f2

click unit A with LMB

drag and drop line on unit B with LMB click, hold and release on 2nd unit.

=> A is part of B now

Edited July 19, 2009 by kju

[galzohar 31]

I've also tried making a convoy ambush mission, however it seemed that using the above method I have no control of what goes first in the convoy. Creating and grouping the units in the order I wanted them to be in the convoy didn't help - the 2 BTR-90s still insisted on getting head of the trucks. But anyway, like said above, I think the only way to get them to act as a convoy is to place all of them in the same group and tell them to move in "formation: column" and "behavior: safe" (other behaviors might work though). You don't even have to tell them to mount, as if they're grouped with the vehicle they will mount automatically, at least in "safe" mode.

If you really want to keep the groups separate, what you might want to try is give each group waypoints to the same place but behind eachother (in a "column" of waypoints), and sync each subset of waypoints together (choosing "synchronization" and "drag" a line connecting them). That way if they spread out every time they reach a waypoint they will regroup again.

Edited July 19, 2009 by galzohar

[Daveyboy154 10]

The driving ai tends to struggle with this I think, but as mentioned above setting them to safe or careless mode, perhaps with "limited" speed, might help.

Also, use plenty of waypoints and give the occasional one a "sleep 10;" in the on act field, as it might let them get back in column formation.

Finally, have the highest ranking unit as the group leader at the head of the convoy. After that, the order of the column will be dictated (I think) by descending rank. Where there are two of the same rank, the unit placed earliest in the editor goes first. If you want your BTRs at the back, make them Privates and everyone else a higher rank, if you see what i mean.

You might also use something like:

MyVehicleName limitSpeed 30;

on each one's init field (changing the name as needed obviously.) This will at least keep all the vehicles going at the same speed. That only works for ai vehicles though, not for one you are driving.

That should help, but the driving ai will struggle a bit I think. You might want to consider having fewer vehicles in your convoy.

Dave

[An Fiach 10]

To get AI troops to be mounted by default edit each infantry's Special setting to In Cargo and they will start already mounted in any vehicle they are grouped with.

[RedRage 0]

Thanks for all the replies! Will test it tomorrow.

For the second part of the question - how would you guys go about controlling attackers fire sequence? That is i don't want two groups opening fire right away, rather luring the convoy into the full arc of fire of 3 groups spaced out along the road, with the third and furthest group opening up first. How to get AI groups not to fire until certain time?

[galzohar 31]

If you give the groups a "hold fire" waypoint and then either with high command or direct command or trigger tell them to "open fire" should work, as long as they're not detected by the convoy beforehand (getting detected will both cause them to fire anyway and cause the convoy to not drive in its planned course).

[Daveyboy154 10]

Have a look at this thread:

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=77753&highlight=createvehicle

There is a really excellent example mission povided.

Dave

[trickster1982 10]

How did they do it in OFP on the "attack the city" single mission? the script from that might help :)

Always loved that mission, blowing up the convoy with satchels & then radioing in the AT squad to clean up what was left

[chaplainDMK 10]

Thanks for all the replies! Will test it tomorrow.

For the second part of the question - how would you guys go about controlling attackers fire sequence? That is i don't want two groups opening fire right away, rather luring the convoy into the full arc of fire of 3 groups spaced out along the road, with the third and furthest group opening up first. How to get AI groups not to fire until certain time?

Try it with triggers, didnt do any serious editing in ArmA2 yet, but if i remember correctly you hide the troops (behind hills, in forests etc.) and have a tirgger on the road witch will have "detected by east" or something like that. And sync it to the waypoints to have the squads come out of cover and attack the convoy...

Someone with more exp. should explain better.