Convoys & Logistics

[Palm Dogg]

So I'm just starting my first Grand Campaign -- I've done all the smaller scenarios for AE / WITP / UV, but this is my first whack at the big one. The main question I have are logistics and convoys: first, is auto-convoy worth doing? If so should I just dump most of my cargo ships in those ports and let the computer run it, or keep the ships spread out in smaller like they are on turn one? Do the Japanese and American 'home bases' move supplies between themselves overland, or does it all have to be done by sea?

Second (related), I tend to do hub-and-spoke transportation for my units, where all my guys get shuttled through one or two ports where I keep all my personnel transport, but does anyone do 'direct transport' between the various bases? It seems like it takes a while to get proper AK / AP ships there.

[btd64]

Auto Convoy should only be used in rear areas, as the AI sets up the ships for a "direct route", Bad guys in the way or not. Use CS from rear area bases, that are getting supply from other sources, to move to more forward bases. Moving troops around, IMO, is a personal and situational preference. Depending on where the action is and what troops are available and were, determines for me, what i'm going to do. But if you want to setup a foward base for quick deployment of troops, Look for a base that can handle the numbers of troops you want(SL can restrict this) and build it up. Remember Naval Support Squads....GP

[dr.hal]

The thing I find with using the CS system besides what Patton writes, is that the convoys can get bunched up at a port and the port hasn't enough sense to stagger their loading. I might have three CS convoys all in the same port at the same time and the port will try to load all three at the same time.... thus I have to get two OUT of CS mode and allow one to get loaded and go, then convert another back to CS, etc... a right pain.... I'm still testing this system, but right now I'm not thrilled about using it....

[btd64]

ORIGINAL: dr.hal

The thing I find with using the CS system besides what Patton writes, is that the convoys can get bunched up at a port and the port hasn't enough sense to stagger their loading. I might have three CS convoys all in the same port at the same time and the port will try to load all three at the same time.... thus I have to get two OUT of CS mode and allow one to get loaded and go, then convert another back to CS, etc... a right pain.... I'm still testing this system, but right now I'm not thrilled about using it....

Yes, that can be a problem. So what I do, Depending on how far the destination is from the starting point, is stagger the creation, loading and size of the CS TF's by about 5 to 7 days and from 4 to 8 ships. All of the ships have the same speed as well....GP

[rockmedic109]

NEVER use Auto-Convoy. Use CS convoys instead.

Staggering the convoys to avoid overloading a base works to a point but if you have enough convoys running out of the same base, you will eventually have a bottleneck every few weeks/months. Differing distances and differing speeds of convoys will guarrantee this. You can minimize this by using different bases for hubs {like using SF, Seattle and LA}.

One thing about CS convoys. You need to look at the hubs every few weeks. Some of the more advanced bases won't have much supply and a short distance between them and the end of the line. It is easy to drain a forward hub and not realize it. It is also easy to forget this maxim and drain it again a few months later...ooops.

[Numdydar]

I use AC in all my games. They used to be pretty broken but I helped get them much improved in the betas. If you are using the last 'official' patch, then I agree do not use them. But they work well in the betas.

[dr.hal]

I'm learning that now GP, this is my first game as the "dark" side!

[Palm Dogg]

Sorry about the double-post. Rockmedic109, that's what I'm coming around to, at least as the Allies, and using hubs like Seattle for NortPac, San Fran for CentPac, and San Diego for South Pac, as well as my designated 'staging area' for troops. As the Japanese, I'm a little fuzzy on how their whole economy works, but Auto-Convoy seems equally clueless. In both cases, is there a way to pull-up the master list of which bases actually produce supplies, oil, etc?

[Numdydar]

In tracker there is. In Game you can go to the bases screen, click on Show Resources and then sort by supplies, etc.

And I want to point out that I actually USE AC's extensively as Japan and they work fine. It is really nice not have to worry about picking up resources or delivering supplies to out of the way places and such [:)]

[btd64]

ORIGINAL: rockmedic109

NEVER use Auto-Convoy. Use CS convoys instead.

Staggering the convoys to avoid overloading a base works to a point but if you have enough convoys running out of the same base, you will eventually have a bottleneck every few weeks/months. Differing distances and differing speeds of convoys will guarrantee this. You can minimize this by using different bases for hubs {like using SF, Seattle and LA}.

One thing about CS convoys. You need to look at the hubs every few weeks. Some of the more advanced bases won't have much supply and a short distance between them and the end of the line. It is easy to drain a forward hub and not realize it. It is also easy to forget this maxim and drain it again a few months later...ooops.

Yes. Some adjustment and customization is nessesary during the course of the game. The needs of different areas changes, as does the front line and thus the forward bases you move supply/fuel to. I fine I can change a single CS TF as much as 6 to 8 times during the course of a single year....GP

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: Palm Dogg

Sorry about the double-post. Rockmedic109, that's what I'm coming around to, at least as the Allies, and using hubs like Seattle for NortPac, San Fran for CentPac, and San Diego for South Pac, as well as my designated 'staging area' for troops. As the Japanese, I'm a little fuzzy on how their whole economy works, but Auto-Convoy seems equally clueless. In both cases, is there a way to pull-up the master list of which bases actually produce supplies, oil, etc?

yes.

In game just hit the "I" key. It brings up the information screen which provides many further screens full of information. Go to bottom two buttons on right hand side.

Also familiarise yourself with the industry screen, "J" hotkey.

Alfred

[jmalter]

One must take into account the port size & NavSupport of both the load & destination ports. If you're sending a steady stream of CS supply to a size-5 hub, stagger the convoys to arrive at 2-day intervals. Consider using small CS AmphTF convoys to distribute supplies from the hub to the small-port spokes.

For best effieciency, don't overload a port's docking / unloading capacity.

[m10bob]

Some locations on the map are "supply sinks" which will automatically generate supplies on their own so you will not need to supply them. (Sydney is one, Bombay another), but even the supply sinks will need fuel sent their way.
I like to use auto convoy till I get really familiar with the game and learn where to send supplies, which may take real time years.(This is a game which will prove itself a true value over time)..
IMHO the guys who did the AE version are the best of the best and none of them took their tasks lightly when it came to modding an already near perfect grand strategy game, all computer nerds or historians, or both, and none placed ego before helping to make the game more historically correct AND playable..

[LeeChard]

100% agree