Need advice on tutorial scen

[FlipTrac_511]

I'm new to UV (v2.5) and been playing the tutorial scenario exclusively. I'm getting the hang of things and what a wonderful thing it is to finally get into WW2 naval warfare after all my years of PC wargaming (and finally playing UV after having let it sit since it came out).

Anyhow, it sure is exciting when my carrier planes land hits and set Shokaku and Zuikaku afire, but their planes always manage to return the favor on my more valuable carriers. What must I do to avoid this kind of attrition and pull my CVs out, decks intact.

Also, regarding the same scenario, is it possible to prevent Lunga from falling into Japanese hands at all? My guys there can't seem to hold up a defense for more than a few days.

Thanks!

[bradfordkay]

While in the game the allied bombers strike first, the attacks are considered to be simultaneous - so you can't truly prevent the IJN carrier bombers from striking your ships. They have longer range, so they can attack your ships without your aircraft returning the favour unless you make sure to close the range. One trick is to keep your carriers in seperate TFs. If the enemy sends only one strike, it will only hit one of your carriers and leave the other TFs alone.

I haven't looked at the UV tutorial since 2002, so I have no answer for your second question.

[decaro]

brad gave you good advice, but here are a few other things you can do to help fend-off enemy air stikes against your fleets.

In addition to separate fleets for your carriers -- which means each separate enemy strike can only target one carrier at a time -- you can try increasing your fighter CAP (Combar Air Patrol) from 60 to 70 or 80. Of course, this will decrease the available fighters needed to escort the strikes against your opponent.

Also note that putting carriers in separate fleets decreases their ability to coordinate a joint attack, i.e., planes from separate carrier fleets may come over in separate (smaller) waves, but that's the beauty of UV; for every tactical advantage, there something you have to sacrifice.

And though you're limited in the choice of ships for the tutorial, when playing the other scenarios, use escort ships -- DDs, CLs, CLAAs -- w/high anti-air attributes for your carrier fleets. You can find ship Anti-Air and other info when you click on any single ship and check out its numbers in the upper right.

Please note: when playing against the IJN, I don't tangle w/their carriers unless Lunga airfield is in my hands and up and running w/at least a level 1 (figher/fighter-bomber) capability. That way my planes have somewhere to go if my carrier(s) get damaged, and they can launch a second strike from Lunga if their moral levels don't get shot to hell during the first sorti.

[DEB]

Joe D. - Very sane advice & comments for any newbe's there.

Fliptrac_511 - Re defending Lunga etc. ( at start ) of any early '42 scenario - I would think it's almost impossible. Just try and gain some land combat experience/knowledge for retaking it!

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: DEB
Joe D. - Very sane advice & comments for any newbe's there.

Not too "gamey"? I wonder if I gave FlipTrac too much advice, but it sounds like he needs to leave the wading pool and really "get wet" by playing the other UV scenarios. The tutorial in UV is really rather lame, compared to newer strategy games.

Fliptrac_511 - Re defending Lunga etc. ( at start ) of any early '42 scenario - I would think it's almost impossible. Just try and gain some land combat experience/knowledge for retaking it!

In my experience, it's easier to defend Lunga than to retake it, esp. if the IJA is reinforced and gets their airfield operational. The whole point is to (quickly) take the under-defended Lunga and hold it, forcing the AI to go "bonzai" trying to get it back, as was the case historically. Unless the AI opposition is overwhelming, the odds are always with the defender, esp. if you make the IJN run a guantlet of minefields and PTs into Lunga harbour.

[DEB]

Joe D. - Now why would anyone consider your comments "gamey"??
As for too much advice, maybe you did. It was kind though.
Fliptrac_511 does appear to be at a very basic level of both knowledge of this game & WW2 Carrier/Naval tactics, but we all have to start somewhere and at his apparent level of knowledge he is going about leaning it in the best way.

As to defending Lunga etc. in the tutorial, I must admit I confused it with attempting to defend it in the very early scenario's where the Allies lost it historically. You are correct that it has to be held once you have re-occupied it. The ownership/contol of that Airfield is all important to the game ( historical fact ). The Allies could of course build an Airfield on a nearby Island (as could the Japanese ) but neither would then control the airspace in that area. It may be difficult to hold Lunga etc. but it needs to be done.

Fliptrac_511 - See comments above. As the tutorial is very short ( turn wise ) don't stay on it too long. Most things in this game need many, many days/weeks to accomplish. Sorry I misunderstood your 2nd question. Answer is proberly too lengthy/complex to list here though.

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: FlipTrac_511
Also, regarding the same scenario, is it possible to prevent Lunga from falling into Japanese hands at all? My guys there can't seem to hold up a defense for more than a few days.

Oops: I can't recall that Lunga was even in the tutorial. In most scenarios, Lunga is "lost" because it's undefended and simply becomes occupied by a unit of IJA engineers building an airfield. You really can't do anything about that until the 1st and 2nd Marines divisions arrive, but the IJA force left on Lunga is usu. so small that it can be chased away by paramarines from Lungaville via C-47.

Forget about doing anything significant in the tutorial except familiarizing yourself w/UV.

[FlipTrac_511]

Bradfordkay, thanks for the clarification.  I may try splitting up the CVs into seperate TFs but I've already noticed that airstrikes pack a heavier punch when CVs are concentrated into a single TF.
 
Joe D., thanks for all your input.  No advice is too much as far as I'm concerned around here.  I'm letting go of the tutorial and and trying out the scenarios.
 
DEB, you're correct, my experience is very basic.  Not only is this my first real taste of WW2 naval warfare, it's also my first real taste of operational-level wargaming.  I'm getting comfortable with the mechanics and as an added educational bonus, I'm becoming familiar with the Pacific islands and cities that were once so vague to me.
 
Also, you didn't confuse my second question.  I was indeed asking if I can hold Lunga from the very beginning, not just retaking it.  I realize now it's probably impossible.
 
On another note, I played the first scenario and was surprised to achieve a decisive victory against Japan.  I didn't even make, or even attempt, to make contact with the Japanese CVs.  My CVs did manage to sink a whole lot of transports that prevented troops from taking key locations.  I concentrated more on land occupation/defense rather than trying to score big points on destroying enemy carriers.

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: FlipTrac_511
On another note, I played the first scenario and was surprised to achieve a decisive victory against Japan ... I concentrated more on land occupation/defense rather than trying to score big points on destroying enemy carriers.

I believe that's the Coral Sea scenario. For someone unfamiliar w/operational warfare, you made the right call: stop the invasion! Otherwise, you would be out-matched going head-to-head w/the IJN CVs and their experienced pilots.

So UVs not that hard after all, but the other (longer) scenarios can be much more challenging.

[tocaff]

Whenyou get the hang of things up the difficulty level to historical and when you beat the Japanese AI it's time for the real game, PBEM.  Nothing like another human to humble you and really teach you the nuances of UV.

[FlipTrac_511]

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

I believe that's the Coral Sea scenario. For someone unfamiliar w/operational warfare, you made the right call: stop the invasion! Otherwise, you would be out-matched going head-to-head w/the IJN CVs and their experienced pilots.

The tutorial taught me not to go head-to-head w/ IJN CVs!

[decaro]

The only thing I remember about the UV tutorial was a surface battle between Allied ships and an enemy carrier fleet. But the IJN CVs are too fast and usu. avoid getting hit, while their screening vessels take all the heat.

If your CV planes keep sinking transports, eventually they will get enough experience to take on the IJN CVs, but a time and place of your choosing. Whether your opponent is AI or human, you want to play your game, not theirs.

[tocaff]

A little reading of historical books can also give you some insight as to tactics and strategies of that time period that worked and failed.  The best things to do in UV are...................Tell you what contact me backwater and I'll give you some tips that will make your UV experience safer and more rewarding.  

[FlipTrac_511]

Thanks tocaff.  I'll take you up on that one of these days.