purchasing units

[randell765]

I have noticed that when I purchase future units, it takes away from future manpower. Is there any benefit to not purchasing maximum number of units per turn?

I am starting to catch on pretty quick(with help),but by not having units created it leaves me with available manpower, I don't know if thats good or bad.

[JudgeDredd]

I presume if you create units and use your manpower, it means you cannot refit your damaged units...so your front may become weaker whilst waiting on the new units. So it may depend on how soon you need those units. Also, with a seriously damaged unit, you may be as well not refitting it and leaving it on the line to be decimated whilst using the manpower and arms that would refit it to create a new unit.

I'm still learning this wonderful game too, so I may have answered incorrectly. What I've said their was the first thing problem I thought of when using your manpower to create new units.

[*Lava*]

ORIGINAL: randell765

I have noticed that when I purchase future units, it takes away from future manpower. Is there any benefit to not purchasing maximum number of units per turn?

Big hint here...

I don't purchase new units if possible because they will be of inferior quality. I spend all my manpower points on reinforcing existing ones (especially A class units) and those units in critical areas where offensive and defensive operations are being conducted.

Tanks.. however.. I buy! [:)]

Ray (alias Lava)

[flintlock]

ORIGINAL: Lava


I spend all my manpower points on reinforcing existing ones (especially A class units)

I haven't noticed this myself, but I wonder if reinforcing A class units with new recruits lowers the quality of the unit below a certain threshold. For example; you have an A class unit down to 11 strength which was once 24. If you reinforce it back to it's original strength of 24, is it still an A class unit?

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[sol_invictus]

I haven't noticed a new influx of raw recruits decreasing a units quality. It would be a nice touch.

[SteveD64]

Yes and it would make sense too.

[SiTheSly]

ORIGINAL: randell765

I have noticed that when I purchase future units, it takes away from future manpower.

It should take away from available manpower, it does for me anyway. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you.

Basically you are better of refitting existing understrength units rather than purchasing new ones. 1) They are available immediately 2) They are usually of a higher quality since your initial units are the best.

[SteveD64]

So what's the downside to refitting existing corps? 

[flintlock]

I don't see any downside other than the drain on arms and manpower resources.

[SteveD64]

yeah, I suppose if you needed to cover a large front creating new corps is the way to go but otherwise just keep refitting.

[SiTheSly]

ORIGINAL: Arinvald

I haven't noticed a new influx of raw recruits decreasing a units quality. It would be a nice touch.

If you refit an existing A class corps even from 1 to 24 it stays as an A.

However if for example you lose the British 1st Corps which is an A and rebuild it, it comes back as a B class unit. Same goes for B to C.

If as the Germans you build a new unit without losing any then it comes on as the 58th Corps (roughly) and is a C class unit.

The only reason I can see for building new units is if you do not have enough of that type.

For example the British lack arty and cav.

BTW has anyone built a new dreadnought? I have had 150 naval points but didn't see it listed and there doesn't appear to be a spare line for it in the interface - so no new dreadnoughts? Perhaps they take too long to build and so were left out.

[SteveD64]

A nice little rule might be to reduce quality by one letter if you put more than (pick a number) 5 points into a corps.  The decision would then be to gradually rebuild and keep the same quality or rebuild all at once and lose one level of quality.
 
If this game is doing one thing, it's got me thinking  [:D]

[06 Maestro]

I concentrate on keeping existing units up to strength. There are times that a unit needs to be pulled out of the line and allowed to rest before giving it replacements. If the unit is attacked while at 1/4 of its normal rediness (or participating in an attack) much of the replacements are just wasted. The cost of replacements is too high to waste like that.

The A/H Empire needs more corps to cover existing and likely fronts. Although it is difficult, I start building new corps for them right away.

I have plenty of manpower, but the arms refit cost holds back the whole process. In a current game, Germany has over 500 MP points and 0 arms refits+(Jan/Feb'16). I've only built a few units and struggle to keep others up to stength. Perhaps after a land bridge is opened to the Otto's Germany will get the resouses it needs for its economy. I am hoping to be able to fully utilize Germany's MP at that time.

Brfore you ask why I do not have contact with Turky by '16; it's because Paris was just a little too tempting. I have it (most of it), France is wavering, but not done yet.

[FrankHunter]

Sorry, you can't build dreadnaughts.  You repair damaged ones and you do get the ones that were started before the war but it just takes too long otherwise.

[JWW]

READINESS:  That is an area I haven't considered yet while learning the game.  I'll have to take another look at that. 
 
And 06Maestro, could you explain how the land bridge to the Ottoman Empire would help Germany's resources?  Thanks. 

[06 Maestro]

JW

The OE has a large surplus in resourses(about 25)-apparently not food though. The OE should be able to transfer some surplus resourses. When I attemted to do so, Germany (or anyone) did not show up in the to box of the materials transfer dialog. I tried to set up shipping, but the OE has non. So, currently, I still do not "trade" between Germany and the OE. A/H can send surplus to Germany.

I am assuming that because there is no friendly land contact between the OE and Germany, transfers are not possible. Hopefully, the only obstacle is Serbia. As soon as Serbia "bites the dust", I will be trying to get those resources to Germany. There should be no problem with trade at that time.

[SiTheSly]

ORIGINAL: JW

READINESS:  That is an area I haven't considered yet while learning the game.  I'll have to take another look at that. 

And 06Maestro, could you explain how the land bridge to the Ottoman Empire would help Germany's resources?  Thanks. 

The land bridge to Turkey is critical for the German economy. If its late 1916 then turkey should have around 30 spare raw materials to be shipped to Germany. By 1916 Germany is producing around 11-13 economic points but has the capacity to produce over 30 IF it gets the raw materials. With the rail line to Turkey that means you get two full turns of full production. With this you can do all kinds of things. I love it when Bulgaria joins the war and I get those points.

[FrankHunter]

Right, you need to open the rail route to Istanbul.  I like to get Bulgaria on my side as early as possible as it makes Serbia far easier to defeat and the combination of a Bulgarian ally and a conquered Serbia lets those Ottoman resources flow.  Of course cutting that line is what makes a "Salonika-ish" landing tempting too.

[flintlock]

I notice the Entente AI attempts to woo Bulgaria with diplomatic overtures too. It ain't dumb.

[*Lava*]

ORIGINAL: JW

READINESS

Yep...

This is a biggy too. If you're folk aren't at readiness 9 any offenses will be severely compromised.

I always take those really hurting divisions and pulling them back. Take a couple turns to reinforce them to a really good strength, allow readiness to build back up and then back into the line.

Perhaps Frank can chime in here for clarification. Does not the entire force structure drop a level when national morale drops?

Ray (alias Lava)