Carrier battles

[Valgua]

After a month with the game I think I have grasped most concepts. In two of my PBEM games I was playing pretty well as Allied until my CVs got mauled. I had the distinct feeling that my opponent managed to find me faster and concentrate firepower more effectively. I wonder if I may be doing something wrong with the air groups options.

I usually set them as follows:

Fighters: CAP 50%
Bombers: Naval attack (if I suspect enemy CVs in the vicinity) with 30% ASW and 30% search.

[bklooste]

Forget ASW leave that to the escorts.

[rubisco]

I use 50% CAP with torpedo bombers on naval attack only and dive bombers on naval attack with 20% naval search.

[vlcz]

Maybe you are simply acccepting CV duels too early and/or in japan condintions. For most part of 1942 I would never risk a CV encounter against the kirobutai if not backed by strong land-based aircraft support.

His fighter cover are much superior to yours, and the Vals and kates are killers with his elite pilots, your dauntless are ok but the initial TBD (with the duds) are next to useless.

For allocation, I never put cv-planes in ASW, cap at 60-75% until I have spotted his CVs (them down to 50), TBD in 100% search and dauntless in 20%, down to 0% when first spot the carriers.

[tbridges]

What altitudes do you set everything at?

[Valgua]

I think my altitude was 15000. I have a hard time understanding the impact of altitude settings in the game. 

[Halsey]

Setting aircraft at the same altitude helps fighter escorts coordinate better.

CAP 30%
Naval Attack 20% search, torpedo bombers do not go on search.
Floatplanes 100%, or 50% search and 50% asw.

Set ALL your planes at 10 15 or 20K.
Even the torpedo bombers.[;)]

[V22 Osprey]

The Yorktown for some reason is sooo easy to sink, in any game, the Yorktown never makes it, unless you make it stay out of combat.It may be what vlcz said, maybe we are just too aggressive with our carriers.My Wildcats always get raped by Zeros anyway.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Valgua

After a month with the game I think I have grasped most concepts. In two of my PBEM games I was playing pretty well as Allied until my CVs got mauled. I had the distinct feeling that my opponent managed to find me faster and concentrate firepower more effectively. I wonder if I may be doing something wrong with the air groups options.

I usually set them as follows:

Fighters: CAP 50%
Bombers: Naval attack (if I suspect enemy CVs in the vicinity) with 30% ASW and 30% search.

what do you want to achieve against enemy carriers if 60% of your bombers are flying nav or ASW search? [&:] Put them on 10% nav search (if you have enough float planes) and see 90% of your bombers attacking.

[jimh009]

I wouldn't even waste your air assets on ASW search. Early in the war, where you have Devastators, I wouldn't even have them search. Put them on 100% naval attack for primary mission and "rest" as secondary. For normal uses, I keep the Dauntlesses at "naval attack" as primary mission, rest as secondary missions and have a 20% Naval Search.

Once the Avengers arrive, you can set 10-20% of them to Naval Search if you want, too.

I'll also echo what others have said. In an equal carrier battle (where # of planes are similar), the Japanese have the edge in terms of plane quality and experienced pilots. And if you're out-numbered (which the Allied player usually is), a carrier battle can often be a one-sided affair (to the detriment of the Allies) without significant land air support.

[jimh009]

ORIGINAL: V22 Osprey

The Yorktown for some reason is sooo easy to sink, in any game, the Yorktown never makes it, unless you make it stay out of combat.It may be what vlcz said, maybe we are just too aggressive with our carriers.My Wildcats always get raped by Zeros anyway.

The Yorktown has "ok" durability...and is the same durability as the USS Enterprise, I think (both are Yorktown Class CV's). While the Yorktown doesn't rank near the Lexington/Saratoga in durability, she isn't the "ultra-fragile" USS Wasp, either.

Lots of players are too aggressive with their carriers...particularly early in the warm with Allied carriers. Patience is a virtue in this game, and during the first months of the war (six months in particular), the Allied player can reap many long-term rewards by being patient.

[Valgua]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: Valgua

After a month with the game I think I have grasped most concepts. In two of my PBEM games I was playing pretty well as Allied until my CVs got mauled. I had the distinct feeling that my opponent managed to find me faster and concentrate firepower more effectively. I wonder if I may be doing something wrong with the air groups options.

I usually set them as follows:

Fighters: CAP 50%
Bombers: Naval attack (if I suspect enemy CVs in the vicinity) with 30% ASW and 30% search.

what do you want to achieve against enemy carriers if 60% of your bombers are flying nav or ASW search? [&:] Put them on 10% nav search (if you have enough float planes) and see 90% of your bombers attacking.

You are of course right. I instinctively assumed that the searching planes would join the others attacking. This is of course stupid of me, as a searching plane probably takes-off with very light armament, and certainly no bombs.

[DivePac88]

VF are normally on 50% CAP, but if in transit and not expecting trouble 30% are on rest.

VS are normally set on 50% Naval Search; which gives me a 9 aircraft 90 degree search arc twice a day (toward expected enemy approach). Also if in transit I will rest maybe 30%.

VB are normally all set on naval attack. (Depending on mission profile)

VT are normally all set on naval attack, but if Subs are a problem will have 20% on ASW. Also if in transit I will rest maybe 30%.

FP are normally all set on 70% naval search, and 30% rest. They will cover the flank and rear arcs.

Here is a shot from witpStaff of one of my CV TFs moving west:

[Flying Tiger]

DP, do you seriously reset all your search arcs every time your TFs change direction? Man, i am NEVER playing against you!!

BTW, i think air units automatically rest if set to naval attack but dont actually fly. Probably creating extra work for yourself setting the 30% rest each time - plus risking missing a full airstrike if you do bump into something.

[DivePac88]

ORIGINAL: Flying Tiger

DP, do you seriously reset all your search arcs every time your TFs change direction? Man, i am NEVER playing against you!!

Yes Tiger... I do reset the arcs after some heading changes, but normally try to keep the VS search in the direction of most threat.

Edit; In AE I've learnt that you have to rest your airgroups whenever possible.

[Xargun]

In my CV vs CV battles my CAP levels depend on 1 question...

Am I more worried about sinking him or staying alive.. Then adjust your CAP as appropriate.

Xargun

[anarchyintheuk]

My $.02. USN torp squadrons are pretty useless, unless you have some wounded ships out there. I use them for search and leave the SBDs at 100% naval attack. If there are some damaged ships in range the next day, some of the TBD/TBFs will still be around to hit them.

[jimh009]

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk

My $.02. USN torp squadrons are pretty useless, unless you have some wounded ships out there. I use them for search and leave the SBDs at 100% naval attack. If there are some damaged ships in range the next day, some of the TBD/TBFs will still be around to hit them.

The three Japanese carriers sunk by the old and slow Devastators in my game might disagree with you.

[V22 Osprey]

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk

My $.02. USN torp squadrons are pretty useless, unless you have some wounded ships out there. I use them for search and leave the SBDs at 100% naval attack. If there are some damaged ships in range the next day, some of the TBD/TBFs will still be around to hit them.

Agreed, my torps dont hit a damn thing, it's usually SBDs and dive bombers who do most if not all of the damge.

ORIGINAL: jimh009
The three Japanese carriers sunk by the old and slow Devastators in my game might disagree with you.

That must had been a pretty lucky shot, because so far from what I've played devastators dont "devastate" anything, especially with Zeros flying around.

[medicff]

ORIGINAL: jimh009

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk

My $.02. USN torp squadrons are pretty useless, unless you have some wounded ships out there. I use them for search and leave the SBDs at 100% naval attack. If there are some damaged ships in range the next day, some of the TBD/TBFs will still be around to hit them.

I also disagree because of the torpedoes devastating effects [;)]
The three Japanese carriers sunk by the old and slow Devastators in my game might disagree with you.

Your TBD's have greater search range as well if your looking for carriers, not subs.