Various quasi-newbie questions

[Grotius]

I've been following Mogami's big thread on IJN strategy, and I've read Cap and Gown's helpful guide to invasions. I've still got a few strategy and gameplay questions of my own:

1. At the start of Scenario 17, the IJN has some lonely troops sitting on undeveloped red dots -- Buka and Buin. I guess the Emperor expects me to supply these places and to develop them, committing precious engineers for a fair period of time. But one of the dev's recently mentioned that he likes to put extra construction engineers in Lae early on too. And of course there's work to be done in Shortland and even Rabaul and Kavieng. Any thoughts on which bases to develop first? (I'm gearing up to try PBEM, so if you don't want to share trade secrets, I'll understand.)

2. When assessing commanders: "experienced" is worse than "competent", I assume? (Jeesh, I'm glad I finally started paying attention to TF COs. The AI doesn't always make the best choices...)

3. Anyone know the formula for calculating a ship's AA "value," the number in the upper-right hand corner of the ship display? E.g., a Nachi class CA has a value of 552, whereas a Shirasuya class DD has an AA value of 372 -- even though it seems to possess more AA guns of the same size. I suppose the AA value factors in gun placement and whatnot? Not a big deal; just curious.

Thanks!

[tanjman]

Grotius,

1) I evacuate both Buka and Buin because there isn't enough support or aviation support to go around. I concentrate on (vs. the AI only so far) building up Rabaul, Lea and Shortland first.

2) Experienced is better than competent. Just look at the leadership level (higher is better) when assigning them.

3) I looked at the Nachi and (couldn't find the Shirasuya) I do not see the value that you are talking about. Could you please clarify?

Well I hpe my quasi-answers help

[Grotius]

Thanks for your replies. Wow, I'd been mixed up on CO qualifications, so I'm glad I asked.

The "AA value" to which I refer appears only when examining the ship-detail screen of a ship already in theater. It doesn't appear in the ship database or in the ship-reinforcement screen. Accordingly, I should have mentioned specific ships rather than ship classes. So here is what I mean:

At the start of Scen 17, the IJN has some CA's and DD's in TF1 (Air Combat) in Truk. If you bring up the ship screen for CA Myoko (Nachi class cruiser), and look at the top right corner, you'll see two values for speed, one for maneuverability, and then one for AA: 552. By contrast, DD Shiratsuyu (Shiratsuyu class destroyer), in the same TF, seems to have *more* AA guns but a lower "AA value" of 372. I'm just curious why. Were cruiser-mounted AA guns always more effective, even if less numerous?

[Inigo Montoya]

Welcome!

I have a slightly different take on assigning TF/CC's. Go to Spooky's website and download the excellent spreadsheet on leaders:
http://uncommon-valor.chez.tiscali.fr/

Then you can decide who you want leading what TF. For example, you might want a CC with a high Air Operations skill in command of your carriers. I tend to focus on skill.

I hope this helps. I can't help you with the AA values. I just choose the higher ones for my CV TF and the pathetic ones become FT TF's.

8 )

[Grotius]

Thanks for the help. I'd been to Spooky's site before, but I hadn't noticed the list of commanders. Very nice.