Can devs please step in - How can I place a beacon before AI places one?

[chantodos]

So I played skirmish with AI, and I cannot place a beacon because now I could not find the beacon options. I know in settings the default key is F1 but I tried that and it does not work. It only works when the friendly AI places a beacon then I can click on an AI unit and then the order menu appears on the bottom right, but before the AI deploys any unit, the order menu does not show up. Anyone know a fix for this?

EDIT: The main issue I am talking about is that the smart order menu does not show up immediately when I played skirmish with AI. It only shows up AFTER the AI deploys their units and placed their beacon. It matters because the beacon is now integrated within the smart order menu. So the result is that I cannot choose where I want to attack BEFORE the AI chooses, which is quite annoying.

I am also aware that the default key for beacon is F1 to F4, but I tried that and those keys only works AFTER the AI deploys units too. So it yields basically the same results as I mentioned above.

Hope this clarifies a little bit. The reason I capitalize some words is to highlight the possible problem. I also hope the devs notice this issue.

[DasaKamov]

Originally posted by chantodos:

but before the AI deploys any unit, the order menu does not show up. Anyone know a fix for this?

Not sure if I understand you correctly, but you can't give orders to friendly AI divisions. There is no fix because there is no bug.
The "Smart Orders" menu allows you to set some of your *own* units to be controlled by AI based on the guidelines you set.

For the rest of your question, the F1-F4 keys do indeed let you plays beacons; press F1-F3 and click on the map to set a Flare that has a built-in message ("I'm attacking here", "I'm defending here", or "I need help here"). Press F4 and type in a message, then click on the map to set a custom Flare (e.g., "Watch out; enemy ambush here").

Flares/Beacons have no effect on AI and are only useful in MP with other human teammates.

[atze]

I have the same problem.
If I want to set a beacon in Skirmish mode to show the AI where I want to attack, it is impossible.
That's a shame because then I have to take what the AI leaves me with.

[DasaKamov]

Flares/Beacons have no effect on AI

[Mato]

he means to choose a side.

The ai says "im going here" pling before you have time to pick it yourself
that place.

[okocha55]

By pausing game.

[DasaKamov]

Originally posted by Mato:

he means to choose a side.

I know. But you can't change where the AI chooses to go, whether or not you place a beacon before them.

[atze]

Of course you could choose the attack area before the patch. You only had to set your beacon within about 10 seconds, then the AI divided the other areas between them.

[chantodos]

I guess I did not make it quite clear, but I think dude atze feels me. The main issue I am talking about is that the smart order menu does not show up immediately when I played skirmish with AI. It only shows up when the AI deploys their units and placed their beacon. It matters because the beacon is now integrated within the smart order menu. So the result is that I cannot choose where I want to attack before the AI chooses, which is quite annoying.

I am also aware that the default key for beacon is F1 to F4, but I tried that and those keys only works when the AI deploys units too. So it yields basically the same results as I mentioned above.

Hope this clarifies a little bit. I also hope the devs notice this issue.

[abyssalKILLJOE]

to see the beacons at the start of skimish, quickly place a unit down first and then select the unit, the beacon options will appear at the bottom right. I am not sure why Eugen remove beacon options unless you select a unit.

[atze]

It works, a bit cumbersome, but it works. Thanks for the tip!