Bomber Targeting Focus vs. Fighter Targeting Focus

[Herod]

I'm currently indulging in a spot of blitzkrieg (well, preparing to anyway) rather than writing my dissertation, as per usual, I've been upgrading the Luftwaffe like crazy. In the past, I've always solely researched the Bomber Targeting Focus technology in the Air Doctrines tree, as I prefer to not have my ground forces pounded into pulp by enemy bombers. Panzers are expensive you know!

However, I've just had a look at the wiki page on air doctrines, and double checked the actual technology tree, and I could do with some clarification. If I research bomber targeting focus SOLELY, does that mean that my fighters will target bombers over fighters? Or does it improve my fighters chances of hitting things, which would mean I should be researching both? As if it improves their overall chances of hitting things, then I should obviously upgrade both (as I obviously want to cause maximum damage), but if it means that my fighters are going to target one type over another, then I just wish to research the one. Surfice to say, it isn't very clear, so any help would be much appreciated!

 

[ve3609]

it means that bombers have priority over fighters. Do not research both or they will cancel out

 

[Bellicosity]

it means that bombers have priority over fighters. Do not research both or they will cancel out

This bugs me cuz some nations have multiple levels in both to begin with. Makes it hard to easily discern what it does.

 

[happyman40]

it means that bombers have priority over fighters. Do not research both or they will cancel out

Really!? that seems rather odd - I don't think I've ever researched either - I'll have to check it out now.

 

[happyman40]

Really!? that seems rather odd - I don't think I've ever researched either - I'll have to check it out now.

You're right - I just checked the tool tip - so if you research both and keep techs the same, you are saying go 50/50 if there are both fighters and bombers to pick from.

 

[Bellicosity]

They are incredibly pointless techs. I never bother eith them and just deal with cards im given.

 

[unmerged(354797)]

As Germany I research bomber focus a bit, so when escorted formations come, ints will target the more expansive bombers first. It seems to work well for me so far.

 

[RickR]

it means that bombers have priority over fighters. Do not research both or they will cancel out

Unbelieveable! I'm been playing this game for a long time and continue to learn new things about it all the time. Thanks for this tidbit of knowledge.

Rick

 

[Bellicosity]

I wish the tooltip was more explicit about the fact that they cancel out. Same with the ground attack techs that differentiate between reserves and combat forces

 

[krieger11b]

I always go for researching fighter focus. I do this to save the strength of my fighters by targeting their greatest threat first. However this does make the bombers more effective in their role, for a little while anyways

 

[Vidkjaer]

Do you have evidence that they cancel each other out other than the logical assumption? Perhaps from the game code?

 

[Pugmak]

Someone might motivate up to do a bit of forum archeology. I seem to recall this discussion taking place early after initial release. The same question and concerns. Iirc, a dev chimed in with the assertion that it doesn't actually work like assumed from the tool tips. The hint (also only an iirc) was that both techs increased competence in the bomber or fighter combat for the crews so trained.

 

[browd]

FWIW, for all versions of the game, the AI is programmed to avoid researching both doctrines, as well as the battlefield interdiction (reserves_focus) doctrine (take a look at ai_tech_minister.lua in the vanilla script files and the country-specific equivalents (including the default_land.lua and default_mixed.lua) in the tfh\script\country files -- see e.g., GER.lua in that folder).

 

[Wraith11B]

Holy thread revival, Batman! But yes, this has been shown in several cases to be the thing about those particular doctrines.

 

[Vidkjaer]

Thnx