Reluctant Admiral Feedback

[Falken]

Thanks for the quick response.

I'll wait until the newer version is available. I currently have a Babes Lite game going, so i'm good for a while, but I have to admit, your scenario looks very interesting. I can't wait to try it out.

Thanks again.

[John 3rd]

Glad I could answer fairly quickly. We've been slowly working on getting this Mark Two Version done but now that I know we have interest, we'll try to get it done faster.

Michael and I are in early-to-mid Feb 1942 and things are just starting to become available. I'd prefer to restart with the Mark Two but don't know if I want the grief of an all new beginning. Have learned a ton about AE in working the campaign. Definite learning curve going on!

Keep checking in here as we post updates on how things are going.

[JuanG]

John, I got your email. Apologies, I must have missed that first one last week!

Just a bried clarification on the changes you want done;
1. Conversion of two Cleveland class CL's into Independance class CVL's; to arrive roughly at the same time as the other first conversions. Ill look up the delivery dates of the two I end up picking and work out reasonable arrival dates based on the historical conversions.
2. Add two more tanker CVE conversions. Same as above.
3. Split the USN Standard BB upgrade path into two, to allow for deviation from the histoical upgrade and reconstruction schedules for more flexibility. This will resemble the paths in place for the BB Variant of AltWNT at the moment, and use the same artwork.

Anything else?

Have not had time to read everything happening in this thread, so if theres something missing let me know.

[John 3rd]

Hey Juan!

I was concerned that you had gotten WAY busy again. This is the final list we put together for you. I've got one that is just as long (but a little simpler) when you are finished.

Once you have things arranged to your liking, shot the scenario to me and I'll finish going through. Will NOT allow any sort of fillout for Chinese units! When my stuff is complete you'll get the Mark Two Version of RA for Posting onto your site. Sound OK?

As to your comments above, the CVL and AO--CVE sound fine. Your BB Conversions should be interesting. Anything else is listed below:

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

As written earlier, Juan likes to work off of checklists (so do I) so here is the list of Juan's 'to do' for Version Two:

1. Art Work for ships:
a. Agano-Class uses the 4x2 arrangement in this Mod and you said that the Ayase CL (0484 or 0504) might be appropriate.
b. Shokaku-Kai could use the art work you have used in your Mods

(Should note that you might have done one or the other here earlier but am not sure)

2. Old US BB Upgrades as described (Basic, AA, and Complete Rebuild).

3. Allow for conversion to Sangamon CVE Class the following AOs: Neosho, Sabine, Kaskaskia, and Platte. Make this available on April 1, 1942 with the Conversion taking somewhere between 6-8 months. Should Air Groups be tasked with these ships? If so, they need to be added too...

4. Delete the USS Denver and Santa Fe from the American OOB and replace them with two Independence-Class CVL named Chateau Thierry and Brandywine. Go with the following arrival dates:

Independence 3-43 instead of 6-43
Princeton 4-43 instead of 7-43
Brandywine 6-43 (new ship that will need an Air Group)
Chateau Thierry 7-43 (new ship that will need an Air Group)

Leave remaining Independence-Class with normal dates.

5. Import and original China LCUs and replace the borked ones in Version One.


Questions? Comments?

I printed off the full five pages of this Thread and went through everything. I think this is everything that needs to be done by you. We are not in any form of hurry here so whenever you get to it just let me know. Thanks!

Time to add my 'To Do' list in the next Posting.

As always---THANKS! [&o]

PS: You should have the scenario files sent by John (Red Lancer) that includes the artwork moves and slight changes. Believe that it was sent around June 3rd. Red Lancer--Is that accurate?

[Jo van der Pluym]

ORIGINAL: bklooste

ORIGINAL: FatR

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
As per the Thread elsewhere, I think I will have each Japanese CVE come in with an attached Kate Chutai of 9 planes. The Chutai cannot upgrade to Jill or Grace to reflect the CVE limitations. Other planes can be added but the Kates will be there to reflect the ASW component of their time.

This can be done only as a recommended houserule with PDU ON.

I think Allies should be OK in the mid-game. Particularly with two extra CVLs. But if you want, you can accelerate arrival of Essexes so it roughly coincides with availability of Shokaku-kai carriers. What Allies need is some early-game bennies, like above-menetioned brigade loaded on transports and available for deployment in the Pacific, because Japanese get some serious starting advantages. Also, Chinese troops should be returned to their original size, but get some improvements in experience. Even with new garrizon requirements, it is too easy to steamroll them early in the game. Increased size of Chinese army is the only reason why Japanese meet any serious problems in my game against yubari.

Here is what the allies get in my game .. ( which has some more Japanese ships)


UK

A Brigade with shipping West of Burma
2 Huricane and a Beaufire squadrons in Burma from the 9th
SOme escorts for the BB ( CL and 2 DD)


US
2 more TK
4 more TK in mid 42.
1 BB
Option to upgrade Iowa to Montana
Some more aircraft
More west coast fuel and supplies at start

SOme Haiwaii airfields upgraded.

Regading China , suggest you increase the experience and morale of the artilliary unit this allows the chinese 1 poitn to defend or atatck as was done at CHangsha. I would bump the experience of the units at Ichang but frop their prep to 20 , they were just kicked out of ichang and they may be too strong.

If you like to add for the Dutch then the following. I have read a article from the Militairy Spectator (A magazine for militay personel) that in 1941 is to start to reorganize there forces on Java. The plans where that on the end of 1942 the forces on Java exist out 6 Brigades, each 2 Infantrybataljons mechanized on Overvalwagens, 1 Gevechtswagen bataljon with 90 AFV's (Light Tanks, Armored Cars) and 1 SP Artillerybataljon.

[RedLancer]

PS: You should have the scenario files sent by John (Red Lancer) that includes the artwork moves and slight changes. Believe that it was sent around June 3rd. Red Lancer--Is that accurate?

That's about correct - I'm at work so can't confirm. There are three e-mails - the scenario files, the art files and one other asking you to change a bitmap slot for either the A6M8-J or S. Post if you want me to resend.

[ny59giants]

Michael and I are in early-to-mid Feb 1942 and things are just starting to become available. I'd prefer to restart with the Mark Two but don't know if I want the grief of an all new beginning. Have learned a ton about AE in working the campaign. Definite learning curve going on!

When were you going to address this with me??
I'm OK with it as long as you are. If we do so, then focus on getting version 2 done and less on getting turns done.

[John 3rd]

RA has nothing to do with the Dutch. Believe this to be BK's realm...

Red Lancer--You sent the combined Scenario 70 file to me a few weeks ago. This was copied to Juan as well. Could you resend that to us just in case it is needed again? Thanks John!

Michael--I was simply thinking out loud. Hadn't really considered a re-start with our campaign. We certainly could do a new Campaign beginning because I think Mark Two will be superior with more Allied 'toys' as well as polish. Should be bunches of fun!

[bklooste]

Yep that was my mod and will take it aboard ,  i posted it here more to show some stuff to imporved counter play withotu affecting strategic balance.

[John 3rd]

Thanks BK. You'll make yours a wild-and-crazy Mod!

[ny59giants]

Looks like there is a good possibility that John and I will re-start our game using version 2. We talked an hour ago and he was surprised that I would consider doing so. We admitted to early mistakes and the engine issue for Japan is a big drag.

We may add two small changes to what has been decided.
1) The Allies will get just over 20 Dominion M Class and Pacific L Class already converted over to xAP at Cape Town. I sent him a list of those from Chittagong to Colombo to reposition.
2) a slight bump in PPs from 50 to 55 or 60.

[RedLancer]

Red Lancer--You sent the combined Scenario 70 file to me a few weeks ago. This was copied to Juan as well. Could you resend that to us just in case it is needed again? Thanks John!

Just done it - hope it's the right files.

[JuanG]

ORIGINAL: Red Lancer

Red Lancer--You sent the combined Scenario 70 file to me a few weeks ago. This was copied to Juan as well. Could you resend that to us just in case it is needed again? Thanks John!

Just done it - hope it's the right files.

Got the files, thanks.

Will make my changes and then send it to John.

[John 3rd]

Thanks John for sending the files to Juan. Juan--Just handle your list of stuff and I'll take care of all the rest.

As normal, we have an ensemble working on improvement to the Mod. Thanks to everyone for their work and thoughts that have helped so much!

[John 3rd]

Should add that I plan to raise experience for the Chinese units around Changsha to reflect the recent fighting there. Does anyone have an idea for the amount? 10%--15%--25% Any suggestions would be worthwhile...

[FatR]

40-45 EXP should be fine, IMO.

[John 3rd]

This may bring a smile to the older players but I think I will look at whatever their current experience is and then roll a d10 for what they may have gained for the fighting. We'll make it random and do a 1-10% improvement in their ability.

I'll do this for troops around Changsha. Did someone else mention that there had been sharp fighting at another location in China just prior to December 7th? If so, where was that at?

[bklooste]

Ichang the place where all the chinese Corps have 100 prep , the Japanese just kicked them out with some bad losses.  Its not really realistic that they can take it back.. Kind of the opposite of Changsha which would not be easily taken by Japan.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: bklooste

Ichang the place where all the chinese Corps have 100 prep , the Japanese just kicked them out with some bad losses.  Its not really realistic that they can take it back.. Kind of the opposite of Changsha which would not be easily taken by Japan.

Thank You Sir. How badly were they beaten? Do these Chinese deserve a bump in their XP? Could do the same here as in the Changsha area.

[bklooste]

I would bump the xp of the Japanese around Ichang and the Chinese around Changsha.
 
Durring the battle of Ichang 3 Japanese Divs basically came in took ichang and then tried to cross the river where they were halted by 12 or so chinese divisions.