::Felix, Ferdinand and FRUPAC:: obvert (A) v Greyjoy (J)

[obvert]

Greyjoy (Nic) and I spoke about getting a game together just this winter over Indian food in London. Now the timing is right and it's on!

This will be another tough challenge for me, obviously. My first time playing the Allies in PBEM and against one of the more creative and successful players around, not to mention the most charismatic.

The game will be DBB with stacking limits and with PDU-off. This was something Nic suggested to give us a different, more realistic feeling for this game, and hopefully this will give us both a good experience. I'm not sure about the other settings and HRs but we'll be talking about that soon. It looks like he's gotten a good head start on the AAR and I've left it up to him to really decide the rest of the details since he's taking on PDU-off with the Japanese.

The game won't begin right away. It'll probably be a week or two until it kicks off. In the meantime I'd love any comments about the idea of playing with PDU-off on the Allied side or any other tips you can throw this rookie as I get going. I'm pretty excited. I finally get to use the digital equivalents of the models I built as a kid and send them off into battle; Corsairs, Fletchers, B-17s and SBDs.

I'll also bellowing into some of the sidelines of the war. More on that soon.

And of course, there will be a lot of pictures ...

[mind_messing]

Greyjoy, more than most, knows what NorPac can do to Japanese successes elsewhere.

Play to that knowledge. Get USN carriers raiding the shipping around Hokkaido in the first three months of the war, and follow that up by building westwards from Anchorage. Rebase the restricted US air squadrons up here and make a lot of noise. The echo's will be heard in Tokyo.

You'll get a massive Japanese over-reaction. Every Japanese soldier, engineer, ship and aircraft in the Kuriles or Aleutians isn't defending the DEI or conducting offensives elsewhere.

Greyjoin won one game through the Aleutians, make him lose this one because of it.

[JocMeister]

I can´t tell you how envious I am of you right now. You get to play my dream! [:)] At least I will know if I´m right or wrong about PDU OFF. I still think this is the way the game is supposed to be played.

I don´t think SL is such a defensive juggernaut GJ made it up to be in his AAR vs Mr.Kane. I´m pretty confident you can overcome the limit with some proper planning and rotation. I actually think it might make it easier for you in the later stages of the game. It will kind of ruin China for you though. Retreats in unwanted directions (causing overstacking) ate up a LOT of the already critical Chinese supply. Be very wary of that...


I´ll refrain from reading GJs AAR so I can aid you to the best of my abilities. [:)]

[catwhoorg]

Looking forward to this one.

[aztez]

Good luck! Nice to see PDU off. I'am haven't experienced that luxury either.

[Lokasenna]

Cool! I'm interested to compare this with my Allied games.

[House Stark]

ORIGINAL: obvert
The game won't begin right away. It'll probably be a week or two until it kicks off. In the meantime I'd love any comments about the idea of playing with PDU-off on the Allied side or any other tips you can throw this rookie as I get going.

If you don't already have it set that way, you need to be have the settings so that air groups aren't automatically set to upgrade/receive replacements.

Other than that, I would recommend being very careful when (and where) upgrading air groups, especially early on when replacement rates are low. With PDU on the Allies can squeeze maximum value out of their few airframes, but without you will be need to be extra careful which groups get new planes. Grejoy might be limited in his aircraft selection, but he will be able to tailor his production accordingly.

I'd also keep air group withdrawals in mind for groups getting the most advanced planes. I think most times you can opt to keep the planes when withdrawing, but there are a few groups which can only be disbanded.

All in all, PDU off will probably make things harder for both of you in 42, but it will be less detrimental to the Allies once they start to get decent replacement rates. I'm going to guess that you're right in that it will lead to a more historical game.

[ny59giants]

I'm not an Allied expert, but I've played the first 6 months enough since WITP days. These are things I almost always do.

1) The two PBY groups in Philippines go to India eventually. India gets those small 4 or 6 plane Catalina groups and they aren't enough.

2) Weigh using those old Clemson Class DDs in SRA as I want to convert them to APDs asap. They have 6 ASW devices and are some of you best early war American ASW ships and are used a lot to escort transports. Late 42 or early 43 they can go into Fast Transport TFs.

3) SS Argonaut, Narwhal, Nautilus DO NOT get upgrades in 4/24. They are used together in Sub Minelaying TF and their 13 knots speed doesn't hurt them there.

4) B-17Ds go to India for the time being from Philippines as you can get the B-17E from Pearl and USA to Australia easy enough.

5) Big Bad Boise can sneak over to be put on patrol between Tokyo and Truk. She can destroy a whole transport TF by herself and her high endurance allows her to stay for some time. Then to Alaska before USA vs Pearl.

6) Singapore has an Air HQ and then there is one at Kuala Lumpur. You can load this one and have her go to a size 2 AF and use your Vildebeest and Swordfish someplace other than Malaya. Just a thought.

7) Use PP to buy out the two large Dutch BF (100 Aviation Support) at Batavia and Soerabaja. A fragment is transported by PBYs to India from Batavia and the one at Soerabaja has a fragment go to Darwin and then march down to Sydney. The extra Aviation Support comes in handy! I use PP to buy about 5 of the small Dutch BF and the AA at Lautem to go to Australia for rebuilding, but not to recombine. Those little 15 Aviation Support help at some smaller bases.

8) Use PP to buy out most of the USA based PBYs. They go though Seattle, Dutch Harbor, Midway, and Pearl before heading south. If GJ was to take Midway, then this route is closed. Ask the two guys vs John 3rd about this.

9) American 40th and/or 41st Divisions go to Cape Town via Eastern USA to await PP to get to India. Maybe some AA, FA, and EABs go here. From Cape Town you have options of India or Australia when you get enough PPs.

10) Lots of Pacific L and Dominion M Class xAK start in India and can convert to xAPs. I move them to Cape Town for this 24 days process. Most end up in USA. They have good enducrance and are small enough to be dockside to your size 2 ports or smaller.

Good Luck!!

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
5) Big Bad Boise can sneak over to be put on patrol between Tokyo and Truk. She can destroy a whole transport TF by herself and her high endurance allows her to stay for some time. Then to Alaska before USA vs Pearl.

That is nasty!

[rook749]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
5) Big Bad Boise can sneak over to be put on patrol between Tokyo and Truk. She can destroy a whole transport TF by herself and her high endurance allows her to stay for some time. Then to Alaska before USA vs Pearl.

Hmmm, I like this.

[Blind Sniper]

Good luck Obvert! [:)]

The game will be DBB with stacking limits and with PDU-off

Which one?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

I can´t tell you how envious I am of you right now. You get to play my dream! [:)] At least I will know if I´m right or wrong about PDU OFF. I still think this is the way the game is supposed to be played.

I don´t think SL is such a defensive juggernaut GJ made it up to be in his AAR vs Mr.Kane. I´m pretty confident you can overcome the limit with some proper planning and rotation. I actually think it might make it easier for you in the later stages of the game. It will kind of ruin China for you though. Retreats in unwanted directions (causing overstacking) ate up a LOT of the already critical Chinese supply. Be very wary of that...


I´ll refrain from reading GJs AAR so I can aid you to the best of my abilities. [:)]

Thanks Jocke. I'll need the help for sure so I'll hold you to that! Even with the new baby! [;)]

I'm looking forward to seeing how all of this stuff develops with the major restrictions from DBB, SL and PDU-off. A new world. I know Nic will make the most of what he has, so regardless of whether he's flying Nates or Franks, I'll be in for a struggle.

The game will move slowly at first due to my schedule and I'll also need a lot of time to figure stuff out. I've been playing the Allies a bit but the AI is not the same as our Italian Penguin. I have to be on top of things, so I'll keep it to a pace I can handle at first.

I'll be sending regular queries your way! Be ready! [:)]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Blind Sniper

Good luck Obvert! [:)]

The game will be DBB with stacking limits and with PDU-off

Which one?

GJ just sent this, asking if the settings were okay.

Is it ok for you Scen 30, SLs, extended Map and Reduced Cargo?

I left it to him, as he's playing PDU-off, to choose what he wants. I haven't even set up DBB or the map yet, but wil this week. I think this is the DBB-C? Am I right?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: House Stark

ORIGINAL: obvert
The game won't begin right away. It'll probably be a week or two until it kicks off. In the meantime I'd love any comments about the idea of playing with PDU-off on the Allied side or any other tips you can throw this rookie as I get going.

If you don't already have it set that way, you need to be have the settings so that air groups aren't automatically set to upgrade/receive replacements.

Other than that, I would recommend being very careful when (and where) upgrading air groups, especially early on when replacement rates are low. With PDU on the Allies can squeeze maximum value out of their few airframes, but without you will be need to be extra careful which groups get new planes. Grejoy might be limited in his aircraft selection, but he will be able to tailor his production accordingly.

I'd also keep air group withdrawals in mind for groups getting the most advanced planes. I think most times you can opt to keep the planes when withdrawing, but there are a few groups which can only be disbanded.

All in all, PDU off will probably make things harder for both of you in 42, but it will be less detrimental to the Allies once they start to get decent replacement rates. I'm going to guess that you're right in that it will lead to a more historical game.

Yes, especially since I accidentally set it this way for my match with Jocke!

I will make sure as with PDU-off that could be catastrophic.

I hope it'll be a challenge for us both. I also have some interesting thoughts about how to use the various types of planes, maybe a bit unorthodox for AE but maybe a bit more like historical. Not quite, but closer. Not because I don't want to get the most out of my groups, but more deception, more variation of strikes. More on that later.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I'm not an Allied expert, but I've played the first 6 months enough since WITP days. These are things I almost always do.

1) The two PBY groups in Philippines go to India eventually. India gets those small 4 or 6 plane Catalina groups and they aren't enough.

2) Weigh using those old Clemson Class DDs in SRA as I want to convert them to APDs asap. They have 6 ASW devices and are some of you best early war American ASW ships and are used a lot to escort transports. Late 42 or early 43 they can go into Fast Transport TFs.

3) SS Argonaut, Narwhal, Nautilus DO NOT get upgrades in 4/24. They are used together in Sub Minelaying TF and their 13 knots speed doesn't hurt them there.

4) B-17Ds go to India for the time being from Philippines as you can get the B-17E from Pearl and USA to Australia easy enough.

5) Big Bad Boise can sneak over to be put on patrol between Tokyo and Truk. She can destroy a whole transport TF by herself and her high endurance allows her to stay for some time. Then to Alaska before USA vs Pearl.

6) Singapore has an Air HQ and then there is one at Kuala Lumpur. You can load this one and have her go to a size 2 AF and use your Vildebeest and Swordfish someplace other than Malaya. Just a thought.

7) Use PP to buy out the two large Dutch BF (100 Aviation Support) at Batavia and Soerabaja. A fragment is transported by PBYs to India from Batavia and the one at Soerabaja has a fragment go to Darwin and then march down to Sydney. The extra Aviation Support comes in handy! I use PP to buy about 5 of the small Dutch BF and the AA at Lautem to go to Australia for rebuilding, but not to recombine. Those little 15 Aviation Support help at some smaller bases.

8) Use PP to buy out most of the USA based PBYs. They go though Seattle, Dutch Harbor, Midway, and Pearl before heading south. If GJ was to take Midway, then this route is closed. Ask the two guys vs John 3rd about this.

9) American 40th and/or 41st Divisions go to Cape Town via Eastern USA to await PP to get to India. Maybe some AA, FA, and EABs go here. From Cape Town you have options of India or Australia when you get enough PPs.

10) Lots of Pacific L and Dominion M Class xAK start in India and can convert to xAPs. I move them to Cape Town for this 24 days process. Most end up in USA. They have good enducrance and are small enough to be dockside to your size 2 ports or smaller.

Good Luck!!

Thanks for all of the amazing tips! I hope to cause the kind of sneaky havoc you're advocating with Boise especially. I know Babs has a lot of traffic early, and I might send her that way first, see if she survives, then look for the next best option. I plan to do a lot of sub recon of shipping channels, and I don't really care if they hit or not, just to get an idea where things move.

I might not optimize and units by buying out DEI stuff so much as I think the same PPs could get better units form the States later with better replacement rates. We'll see though. First time around there will be a lot of surprises.

Conversions are something I really have to get a handle on for he Allies. I haven't thought about it at ALL!! [:D][X(]

[Blind Sniper]

I think this is the DBB-C? Am I right?

No, it is the DaIronBabes-C, like stock scenario 2 with all the great improvements by DaBabes crew [:)]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Blind Sniper

I think this is the DBB-C? Am I right?

No, it is the DaIronBabes-C, like stock scenario 2 with all the great improvements by DaBabes crew [:)]

Okay. Yeah that's fine. That's what I thought actually.

Now I have to figure out the download and install. [;)]

[Blind Sniper]

Let me know if you need help [:)]

[koniu]

Subscribed [:D]

[obvert]

We're just hammering through the HRs. I had mentioned I would like to play with very few HRs, but with PDU-off and both of us aiming for a more toned down, somewhat historical game experience, we've kind of managed to create a long list! [:D]

Oh, well. It seems right and with GJ we can talk anything through. Neither of us is in the 'win at all costs' mindset. I know competitiveness can take over later, but most of the major stuff we've compromised to allow things to be used rather than making them unavailable. With PDU-off the game will already be at a different pace and the IJ compromises a lot with that setting, so to balance that we've talked about limits on strat bombing (while allowing it from the beginning) and of course the sliding scale for altitude/CAP as well restrictions on night bombing, aerial mining and ground bombing of troops.

We're nearly there and I'll post a complete list after the last suggestions are confirmed.