Return of the Sheep! - JocMeister(A) vs. MrKane(J)

[JocMeister]

So, I caved in after a couple of months of absence. The AE addiction is strong with this one...[:D]

I have found not only an opponent but a formidable one. He has asked me to remain anonymous for now so I won´t reveal his name just yet. But he knows what he is doing and is very experienced. I will certainly be fighting for my life in 42 to avoid AV.

I´m thrilled to have not only attracted a very experienced and skilled player but I also get the chance to play my personal dream game. DBB-B with PDU OFF. [&o]

These are the agreed upon setting:

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Scenario 28 with StackingLimits (DBB-B)
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FOW ON
advanced Weather ON
Allied damage control ON
PDU OFF
historical first turn OFF
Dec 7 surprise ON
reliable USN torps OFF
realistic R&D ON
no unit withdrawels OFF

combat reports ON
auto sub ops OFF
TF move radius ON
plane move radius ON
facilities expand OFF
auto upgrade ships and airgroups OFF
auto air and ground replacements OFF

We both have our reservations regarding SL but since most (all?) people seems happy with it we decided to give it a go.

I wanted a really short list of HRs. I learned the hard way that HRs in many cases tend to end up more or less impossible to follow. No LRCAP for Escort is a good example. So the list of HRs is reasonably short. Three deal with the first turn only and then 4 to deal with the rest of the game.

---------------
First turn HRs
---------------
1 CV port strike on turn 1
Only existing Allied TFs can move on first turn.
Only allied units in China can move first turn.

---------
Game HRs
---------
Max altitude for all Aircraft 33k
No 4Es below 10k (all missions) except navy ones.
Max 500 CV AC per hex.
Restricted units must pay PPs to cross national borders


In addition my mystery opponent have asked if we could reduce the SR on all Ki-64 models by one. So SR4 = SR3 and so on. I immediately agreed to that since this is a PDU OFF game. I also know DBB reduced the availability of AS greatly so I felt some kind of boon was in order.

To those of you that have experience with DBB. Any general advice and thoughts concerning the difference with Stock? I will start posting maps and general thoughts in the coming days. I have to familiarize myself with DBB and all the changes from Stock. One thing is sure though...The sheep is back! [:D]

[ny59giants]

Baaa...Baaa...Baaa

[EHansen]

I wonder if you will get shorn?

[Bullwinkle58]

Any plans on how you will use your subs? [:)]

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: EHansen

I wonder if you will get shorn?

There will be no shorning if I can help it! [:D]

[rook749]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

To those of you that have experience with DBB. Any general advice and thoughts concerning the difference with Stock? I will start posting maps and general thoughts in the coming days. I have to familiarize myself with DBB and all the changes from Stock. One thing is sure though...The sheep is back! [:D]

You noted the big one, which is the difference in AV support. Along those lines are all of the different types of engineers that can do different things. Some just build/repair, some help unload and repair ships, some just help unload and other combat and everything but unload.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Any plans on how you will use your subs? [:)]

I´ve snooped around a bit and this opponent is not neglecting air ASW...so I´ll probably just park all the subs in port. [:'(]

On a more serious note I will not use them in the traditional way. That only works against players not paying attention. It will also depend a lot on where I can base them. But I´ll probably take about 30% of them and attach to the fleet while the rest will primarily act as scouts and do some hunting outside Japanese LBA. I´ll just have to make sure enough is around his sealanes to force him to use a lot of assets on Air ASW.

If it turns out his hasn´t devoted enough I may get a couple of months of relatively free hunting before he can catch up on training. So to sum it up. I will use them very defensively initially. [:)]

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: rook749
You noted the big one, which is the difference in AV support. Along those lines are all of the different types of engineers that can do different things. Some just build/repair, some help unload and repair ships, some just help unload and other combat and everything but unload.

Thanks! [:)]

Got a list from Micheal on the different engineers with a strong recommendation to print out so I have it handy! [:D]

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Any plans on how you will use your subs? [:)]

I´ve snooped around a bit and this opponent is not neglecting air ASW...so I´ll probably just park all the subs in port. [:'(]

On a more serious note I will not use them in the traditional way. That only works against players not paying attention. It will also depend a lot on where I can base them. But I´ll probably take about 30% of them and attach to the fleet while the rest will primarily act as scouts and do some hunting outside Japanese LBA. I´ll just have to make sure enough is around his sealanes to force him to use a lot of assets on Air ASW.

If it turns out his hasn´t devoted enough I may get a couple of months of relatively free hunting before he can catch up on training. So to sum it up. I will use them very defensively initially. [:)]

Bullwinkle and I both highly recommend using those SSTs as soon as you get them [;)]. I haven't been able to take anything with mine, but I've enjoyed using them and they're low risk, high reward operations. Even if I fail to take a base, I've gained intel and forced my opponent to take notice/keep him honest.

What you've suggested you'll do with subs is what I would suggest you do, after looking at your previous AAR... So just keep your eye on the prize, I guess.

I think I might know who you're playing, but I'll keep my guess to myself for now. Good luck!

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: rook749
You noted the big one, which is the difference in AV support. Along those lines are all of the different types of engineers that can do different things. Some just build/repair, some help unload and repair ships, some just help unload and other combat and everything but unload.

Thanks! [:)]

Got a list from Micheal on the different engineers with a strong recommendation to print out so I have it handy! [:D]

You should post that here so we can all have a reference point!

[Lowpe]

Good luck! I, too, have my own guess on your opponent.

Send the Boise to cruise between Truk and the HI early on....then off to the Aluetians and finally the west coast.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Bullwinkle and I both highly recommend using those SSTs as soon as you get them [;)]. I haven't been able to take anything with mine, but I've enjoyed using them and they're low risk, high reward operations. Even if I fail to take a base, I've gained intel and forced my opponent to take notice/keep him honest.

What you've suggested you'll do with subs is what I would suggest you do, after looking at your previous AAR... So just keep your eye on the prize, I guess.

I think I might know who you're playing, but I'll keep my guess to myself for now. Good luck!

Never had much luck with them but to be honest I never really tried to do more then deliver supplies. Oddly enough I could never even once get them to unload supply. Same thing with regular subs. So I´m obviously doing something wrong! [:D]

SST can only load units witch are paradrop capable right? I´m going to keep my eyes open for any opportunities this time around. [:)]

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Good luck! I, too, have my own guess on your opponent.

Send the Boise to cruise between Truk and the HI early on....then off to the Aluetians and finally the west coast.

Thanks!

I might do that. Depends a little bit on how my opponent opens up. I might try to link Boise up with Houston. Those two together can be quite formidable! [:)]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Any plans on how you will use your subs? [:)]

I´ve snooped around a bit and this opponent is not neglecting air ASW...so I´ll probably just park all the subs in port. [:'(]

On a more serious note I will not use them in the traditional way. That only works against players not paying attention. It will also depend a lot on where I can base them. But I´ll probably take about 30% of them and attach to the fleet while the rest will primarily act as scouts and do some hunting outside Japanese LBA. I´ll just have to make sure enough is around his sealanes to force him to use a lot of assets on Air ASW.

If it turns out his hasn´t devoted enough I may get a couple of months of relatively free hunting before he can catch up on training. So to sum it up. I will use them very defensively initially. [:)]

Well, several hundred crews thank you. [:)]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna


I think I might know who you're playing, but I'll keep my guess to myself for now. Good luck!

I can't guess now because I thought it was you. [:)]

(Sleep is for the weak!)

[JocMeister]

---------------------------------------
Scenario 28 Aircraft Changes
---------------------------------------
So I was glancing through the models and I noticed some things differ from stock. Is this the changes Symon did?

From what I found so far the Jack and Georges seems to have been raised a lot in their top speed while the Corsair has been slowed down a bit. Looks like MVR have been changed a lot throughout the board too. Very interesting stuff! Is there a list somewhere where all the changes are listed? Looks like I need to relearn the airwar! [:D]

Also have to learn what upgrades to what on the Allied side. Guess PDU OFF will effect Allied training in a negative way too. Have to rethink everything and find suitable roles for each model. This will be FUN! [:)]

EDIT: Wow, this will be a challenge. First thing I check is a P40B squadron that doesn´t upgrade until the P40N5 in July 43! This will be a nightmare to keep track of! [:D]

Question: Seem like most of the Squads within the Groups upgrade to different models. I wonder if its best to keep the Groups united to get some variety or divide them up according to model?

[JocMeister]

Its not a massive secret or anything. I just think my opponent wants to inform his other PBEM opponent personally rather then to let him see here that he picked up another game. [:)]

[EHansen]

Try this thread:

tm.asp?m=3460200

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: EHansen

Try this thread:

tm.asp?m=3460200

Great stuff! Thanks! [:)]

[rook749]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

---------------------------------------
Scenario 28 Aircraft Changes
---------------------------------------
So I was glancing through the models and I noticed some things differ from stock. Is this the changes Symon did?

From what I found so far the Jack and Georges seems to have been raised a lot in their top speed while the Corsair has been slowed down a bit. Looks like MVR have been changed a lot throughout the board too.

Very interesting stuff! Is there a list somewhere where all the changes are listed? Looks like I need to relearn the airwar! [:D]

Also have to learn what upgrades to what on the Allied side. Guess PDU OFF will effect Allied training in a negative way too. Have to rethink everything and find suitable roles for each model. This will be FUN! [:)]

EDIT: Wow, this will be a challenge. First thing I check is a P40B squadron that doesn´t upgrade until the P40N5 in July 43! This will be a nightmare to keep track of! [:D]

Yes, with PDU Off it will be far different from my ongoing game with the same mod. I am looking forward to the AAR.

What I can tell you is the modifications to the air was seems to allow the P-39D and P-40B/E to operate with some success against the Japanese (even vsKB) into at least June of 42. But you need to make sure you have 60 Exp Pilots with 70 Air.

I don't know that the PDU Off will really hurt your training but you need to make sure you keep very good tracks on the total number of air frames you need of each type for the next three months so you don't upgrade your to losing the use of airframes. Now, I spend hours moving my pilots around to train them and it has paid off for me. I suspect that with PDU Off you will need to move your pilots even more as you need those best pilots into the squadrons that fly the "current" fighter as you just can't upgrade the fighter group they are in.