CV Strike Mechanics

[John B.]

When I use CV's for ground strikes they seem to have a success rate of around 5% or so. For example, I just used 8 CV ground strikes against Wake (I'm at fighter level 3) and none of them damaged the unit even though I had the CVs set to bomb or mixed for their aircraft. Does the jibe with other people's experiences or is there something else I should be doing? It seems that CVs are more effective when used against me in my other games (IJN CVs seem to have a high hit percentage against the Chinese for example).

[BillRunacre]

Advanced Fighters do not improve the attack capabilities of Carriers against ground units, but Naval Weaponry does, by 0.5 per level, so maybe that explains the difference you've experienced?

[Bavre]

As Bill said, CVs can only get 1 atk vs land units. The unit in Wake has its own def vs carrier + bonus from town + entrenchment. So unless the unit is at very low readiness and/or your CV very experienced, this is a hopeless endeavour without something to deentrench and soften up the target first.
My guess would be that the Jap CVs in China caught unentrenched units of yours on hexes that give no def bonus vs carrier. Also some units (mainly the HQs) are very vulnerable to CV attacks due to 0 def on their own.

[John B.]

Thanks for the insights!!

[John B.]

I clearly don't understand this game. In a recent one, I launched 21 bomber strikes from CV/CVLs over the course of two turns against a Japanese special forces in Pearl in 1943. CVs at full supply, IJN unit no fort, supply level 4, no AA, no fighter opposition. Japanese unit had also endured 4 amphib strikes, and 7 ground attacks over that same period Not a single hit from the CVs. CVs at naval weapons 2 and fully supply.

IJN CVs in 1942 launch two strikes against a US army on Wake and get 3 hits in two attacks. Similar supply and morale with the IJN unit in Hawaii. Lucky, perhaps, but IJN CVs have roamed the seas off of Australia hitting ground units in cities for 1-2 hits per strike. IJN CVs supply drained by several turns of bombing.

Clearly I don't understand the system but it is intensely frustrating to play this over and over and watch my opponent's roll over me and my play does not get better.

[archmache]

I clearly don't understand this game. In a recent one, I launched 21 bomber strikes from CV/CVLs over the course of two turns against a Japanese special forces in Pearl in 1943. CVs at full supply, IJN unit no fort, supply level 4, no AA, no fighter opposition. Japanese unit had also endured 4 amphib strikes, and 7 ground attacks over that same period Not a single hit from the CVs. CVs at naval weapons 2 and fully supply.

IJN CVs in 1942 launch two strikes against a US army on Wake and get 3 hits in two attacks. Similar supply and morale with the IJN unit in Hawaii. Lucky, perhaps, but IJN CVs have roamed the seas off of Australia hitting ground units in cities for 1-2 hits per strike. IJN CVs supply drained by several turns of bombing.

Clearly I don't understand the system but it is intensely frustrating to play this over and over and watch my opponent's roll over me and my play does not get better.

If you click properties on the Hawaii City you will see the defense values. This bonus may render attack by carrier (max 1 with naval weapons ) moot. Wake will not have as high a defense bonus. EXP also plays huge role as well as no movement before a strike adding +25%. Jap carriers will be level 2 exp and will dish out severe DPS. American carriers don’t get that exp, save for enterprise but you gotta keep that puppy safe!

[John B.]

Thanks for the tip re: the Enterprise and the terrain.

[Bavre]

Another possibility is that his city also had high AA upgrades (and maybe the unit, too).

Also CVLs have 0 attack power vs land targets.

[HarrySmith]

My experience with carriers in land attacking units is. Ensure carriers are on bombing mode. If the land unit is entrenched then successful strikes are generally not made, except if carrier has experience pips and certain units like HQs etc are the target. Air defense obviously is another factor of the unit and town. The lower the morale also plays a part in results with terrain factors taken into account. I will generally attack with land units, amphib strikes, land bombers first before using carriers to finish off.

[John B.]

Thanks!