Strategy Tips

[Luskan]

Post your favourite strategy tips here so we can learn from your wisdom!

My favourite strategy: How to turn slow, un-lethal allied CVEs into something more than floating targets.

As soon as you get CVE's, load them with fighters and send them off to escort a very small transport TF (containing just an engineer force, nothing else) to Woodlark Island (supported by real CV's helps). You TF unloads a small bunch of engineers to build a port and a tiny airstrip.

Then dock your CVE(s) at Woodlark and watch the fun start. First off, because they're docked, many Jap LBA's don't find them. The ones that do have to compete with your CAP (and aren't blasting away at more important targets). Long Island, Altamaha and Copahee sat at Woodlark untouched for almost 5 months, not gaining any sys damage, their wildcats taking a steady toll on the Jap lba. When an enemy carrier strike did arrive (and beat the CAP) the Long Island was sunk (no big loss), and the other two were damaged bad enough to send them back to Pearl (that is 100 victory points Nimitz will probably send back to you in other ships). The fighters all landed at the airstrip on Woodlark - I flew in some base troops, and shipped in some AA, and kept going.

The tiny force of engineers doesn't require much in the way of supply (even expanding airfield and port to level 1) so 1 or 2 supply convoys and you're set for the rest of the game!

[Ron Saueracker]

I never did like this aspect of UV's engine. The concept of docking is rather ridiculous at times, although I understand why it has to be in the game. Where are you docking your ships, on a green dot? That's realistic.:rolleyes: What are the names of your CVEs? Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria? And let me guess, it's impossible to get torpedoed while "docked" by subs, even though it's a beach with little more than a beer tent for dockyard facilities. Bla bla bla...

I'm not one to use "stategies" that are not strategies at all, but are methods enabling one to take advantage of flaws in the game mechanics. Call me a fuddy duddy, but I like to play (more like simulate) in as realistic a manner as possible to get a feel for the historical context, if it's possible in wargaming at all.

Perhaps a list of house rules would be welcome as well, in order to red flag these strategies for those players who like to be a bit more serious.

This strategy should be nixed by Matrix by making it impossible for CVs to operate aircraft when not at sea. Carrier aircraft would have to be transferred to a land base, just as they did historically. Or at least require the base to have the necessary support available to "operate" these carrier a/c, with the a/c staying on carriers for simplicity.

[Caltone]

He did mention arriving with an ENG force. Although not specified, it could be a base force.

But the problem there is supply. A base needs a steady stream of supply to expand and operate A/C. Not to mention that there won't be an actual airstrip at Woodlark (to use the original example), when they first arrive.

Seems a little gamey to me as well.

Forgetting the Long Island, the US CVE's that come with planes, make OK covering forces for transports.

[dpstafford]

Originally posted by Ron Saueracker
And let me guess, it's impossible to get torpedoed while "docked" by subs, even though it's a beach with little more than a beer tent for dockyard facilities. Bla bla bla...

Subs can still get you until your port is size 3 or bigger. I'm betting that Luskan never tried his little trick against a human opponent, or he would be here bragging about how quickly his CVEs were crushed. And that would make it nothing more than a method "enabling one to take advantage of flaws in the game mechanics" as you said. In this case the AI. And so, not worth discussing.....

[Drongo]

Posted by dpstafford

And that would make it nothing more than a method "enabling one to take advantage of flaws in the game mechanics" as you said. In this case the AI. And so, not worth discussing.....

Since when has discussing strategems ("gamey" or not) which can help a player defeat the AI become irrelevant to the UV game forums? Especially the one Luskan chose to post his thread to.

[Luskan]

Actually, no, I haven't tried it against a human opponent yet. As for "docking" carriers, the game engine seems to deal out enough sys damage just from sailing around and operating a CAP that "docking"/anchoring a carrier is preferable. Surely if a hex is 30 miles big, and my carriers are docked and want to launch aircraft, it wouldn't take more than a few hours to un-anchor, steam out for a few miles, point into the wind and launch/recover aircraft? Docking just simulates hanging around in a 30 mile hex using as little fuel as possible. As long as their engines weren't cold surely this is at least physically feasible.

And yes - I play by game rules. It is a game after all - I'm not fighting a real war here.