In some cases it is a good idea to finish off a patrol right after a cycle of 15 mins with a direct attack. This usually works fine.
In some cases, however, the patrolling aircraft insists on returning to base before doing its direct attack no matter that the target is within the patrol cone. This happens for as well ground attack as air attacks.
I have not been able to figure out why this sometimes happens. Any clues?
7 Replies
22 Jan 2022, 14:25
When you patrol, there is a section where you can move to without going back to base. If you click on patrol again, it will come up as a red triangular zone. If your target spot is within that zone, your planes can fly directly to attack it.
Sometimes, your patrol zone will cover spots outside this triangular zone, and units can be within your circular patrol zone, but just outside the red triangular zone (just as, you can actually damage a unit that is just outside your range by patrolling just within range, and the enemy unit will still take damage while you patrol because it is in the circular patrol zone, although it is just outside the range of your bombers). In this case, if you try a direct attack, your planes will fly back to base then fly out again to attack the target.
22 Jan 2022, 18:23
As I said:' it is inside the patrol cone'. Not outside.
24 Jan 2022, 10:23
Yeah, this is one of those mysteries of the game. Sometimes it just happens. It has been in the game for many years now. I never found a consistent reason WHY it happens. You're even lucky; planes can suddenly decide they need to refuel in similar cases as well.
24 Jan 2022, 19:54
In the middle of a patrol? Or what do you mean?
24 Jan 2022, 20:38
It can happen when you either:
- change your patrol circle within the cone;
- were patrolling and decide to direct attack within the cone.
98% of the time this works fine, yet 2% is doesn't.
25 Jan 2022, 02:25
Also happened to me once. I tried to reposition my planes with patrol. The new location I chose was well within the red triangle and for some reason they traveled back to the air base they were operating from, refuel and only then to where I ordered them to reposition.
28 Jan 2022, 22:17
Yes, odd problem. And unfortunately it isnt just inconvenience. The advanced air tactics rely much on this to work correctly. If you get hit by this glitch, you may miss out on a crucial part of your planned air actions.
