Wouldn't it be nice to have fatigue or a training mission for ships

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

In the game, you can only subdivide away from a base if there's another TF already formed, either by you on purpose, or as a result of damage (an Escort TF probably.) This makes the game easier, and keeps the DB manageable, but it removes some operational flexibility. Say that 800 miles along on the transit from PH to invade Saipan you realize you need a dedicated ASW TF. In the game, you can't make one without pulling in somewhere, or reversing course. In RL, you just split off a task unit (probably--you can jump levels) and tell it to sprint ahead and look for subs. When it doens't find any, you can leave it in the ASW role, or have it rejoin the TF as anti-air assets.

This is not true. You can create a new TF at any time. Just go to the TF screen and on the upper right corner you will find the "create new TF" button. I do this all the time.

I am stunned. Slap myself in the face stunned. In five years i've never noticed that capability. I think I should go read the manual again . . .

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

System damage in many ways has always been meant to abstract fatigue.

If that's the case it's VERY abstract. By class and by activity. And it "cures" way too fast in port. Subs needed three weeks R&R to recover from a patrol.

[Sredni]

Do ships gain experience in port while Undocked? I have my carriers in PH undocked when not in use, I wonder if they're gaining xp.

Most of my fleet is sitting disbanded in ph lol, I guess I should get them out to sea.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

In a perfect world (maybe WITP2), you'd have work-up periods for ships akin to the current training missions for pilots. From experience, I can say that a pre-deployment work-up probably doubles the combat-effectiveness of a warship, and very little of it is gunnery. Lots of drills, lots of time standing watch, learning your crewmates' habits, figuring out the little quirks of your gear all go to making you a better fighting machine. For the officers, understanding how the CO's mind works and how he intends to fight the ship are also important during this period. In WWII there were fleet training areas off San Diego and San Francisco that I know of, and huge areas near PH as the war moved west. Also lots of bombing and naval gunnery ranges in both oceans.

As for fatigue, I would also vote for this to be a variable, especially for small ships, and mandatory for subs. Currently you can leave a sub at sea for the whole war, except for a couple days here and there to repair minor damage. Men wear out same as gear. R&R was a core part of submarine life in WWII, and absolutely essential to combat effectiveness. I would vote for a massive loss in crew training level if insufficient rest was not provided after a patrol. Same for skimmers, but with different accumulation rates.

It would add another thing for the player to manage, but it's an important thing. If LCUs get tired, so do ships' crews. Fatigue should have to be a consideration in afloat op tempo.

Michael and I were talking about this very addition to the game. One ought to have the chance to train-up a ship(s) for specific sorts of missions (like ASW or Surface Combat). This would be highly realistic and make the player have even more choices. Should I train these PG and DDs in ASW for 2 months or just put them into the system? That would be fun to see!

[Grit]

This is already modeled in the game with Task Force Commanders.

If ships were forced to gain experience it would just give the Japanese side in the game an advantage that they didn't have in real life.

The only way the Japanese side can compete later in the game is because of a high number of well trained pilots. If the only deciding factor was plane quality/and numbers the Allied side would overwhelm them, more than they do now.

If ship experience were added it would give the Japanese player another advantage. During the early war many Allied players are just trying to survive and set up logistics. Some even "turtle" until the right time for them to make a move. Therefore not gaining nearly the ship experience the Japaneses player would be by constantly being on the offensive in the first few years.

I think it's working fine like it is. If you want an effective TF then assign an effective commander.

[morganbj]

This conversation is all academic. It ain't gonna happen in AE.

I'm surprised one of the staff hasn't said to go into the editor and have a few upgrades for ships where the crews are better trained.

...

Gee, now that I think of it, would that work? I dunno. Never played with the editor all that much.

[Rob Brennan UK]

The shakedown cruise in game just means set up a TF of some sort, ASW works well and set it to patrol , it'll come back for fuel but steam round in circles and xp will slowly accrue to the national limit 55 iirc for the US no idea for the rest 50 i'd guess at. Only way to get the small boats to actually attack subs too as low exp units don't seem to at all. Once they are in the 50's then promote them to more dangerous duties like Bombards to gain night xp or just as convoy escorts.

I'd hate to have to micromanage every damn PT boat in game for crew fatigue , not to mention the number of subs in 44 !! one possibility would be to make it slower to repair Sub sys damage to refect it maybe. but once you start with subs where does the ball stop rolling ? Personally i think the games just about right for now.