NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG

[ago1000]

I was wondering if there is an allied setup file for scenario1 of WITPAE somewhere on this forum? I have played some of the smaller scenario and have had the game for a couple of years but find the campaign daunting to setup. Hence have never played the big campaign. Rumor has it takes players 6+ hours to setup. I have found the excel spread sheet on this forum (Thank you) but I'm wondering if there is a saved file somewhere.[:)]

[bradfordkay]

Allied first turn? Don't sweat it. There is nothing you can do on that first turn that will be earth shaking. About the only thing that you really want to be careful of is what you do with the Enterprise and Lexington. Try not to get them sunk in that first week. Even that can be recovered from, but your first half year will be less enjoyable if you lose them right off the bat.

Familiarize yourself with your forces and start building the supply lines. Take your time and enjoy the ride!

[Yaab]

I have heard rumors it actually takes 60+ hours to setup.

[jdsrae]

That would be excluding any pre-war planning!
The game is more forgiving on novices if you play allies. I just jumped in head first and learnt as I went.
It’s taken me nearly 10 yrs to cycle back and try and do things a bit more deliberately, such as understanding the orders of battle and reorganising a few things.
One thing that might help you is to sketch up some organisation charts and assign forces to theatres/missions.
One “problem” you’ll get as the allies from late 1943/44 (once the reinforcements start arriving in abundance) is keeping track of where all of your units are and keeping them busy.
I like spreadsheets too, but an org chart might help you visualise your available forces a bit better

[BBfanboy]

The other problem is picturing where the action will be three months ahead and start prepping units in time. Don't forget to coordinate HQ assignments and prep for units that combine into Brigades or Divisions. Sometimes you need to save up Political Points to get the HQ assignment the same for all of them. A good example is the US 24th and 25th Divisions which each have two restricted regiments at PH and one unrestricted regiment on the US West Coast.

[GetAssista]

This would be helpful tm.asp?m=2306421

[Anachro]

On the allied side, the only people for whom the first turn takes 6 or 60+ hours to setup are those with a perfectionist or OCD mindset that need to absolutely get every order in on the first turn. In reality, especially for the Allies, this isn't necessary and in some cases can even be counter productive. As the allies, you have time on your side and can take the first week of turns or even longer to get everything setup to where they need to be.

[btd64]

I usually get my "first turn" done during the first few turns. I prioritize what needs to be done first....GP

[Mike Solli]

Now if you're playing the Japanese.....

100+ hours to get the first turn out the door for me.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Now if you're playing the Japanese.....

100+ hours to get the first turn out the door for me.

I have done first turns with only entering a few orders....put the Zeroes at 9k to bomb the airfield at Pearl instead of sweep, check to make sure the Nells have torpedoes, strip the tankers out of amphibious invasions, and cancel unescorted merchants near Malaya (damn Dutch subs).

Later I tackle all the ship conversions, r&d, choices...but it does take a long time as Japan whether you put it off or start right away. Feels wrong to me to start on day one...surprise is on![;)]

[Macclan5]

ORIGINAL: ago1000

I was wondering if there is an allied setup file for scenario1 of WITPAE somewhere on this forum? I have played some of the smaller scenario and have had the game for a couple of years but find the campaign daunting to setup. Hence have never played the big campaign. Rumor has it takes players 6+ hours to setup. I have found the excel spread sheet on this forum (Thank you) but I'm wondering if there is a saved file somewhere.[:)]

There is the good advice here - the set up spreadsheet link provided above for example.

However the trick is "don't sweat it" AND multiple save files - depending on how detail orientated you are (or OCD as suggested) [8D]

Take your time.

As the Allies you have 'days' perhaps even weeks to make some adjustments.

Define your critical points:

1) where are your Carriers? Get them to safety. What other ships / TFs maybe in harms way? Get them to safety.

2) where do you want to immediately dig in and defend? Typically Manila / Clarke / Butan - and Singapore.

3) where do you want to start extending your defensive perimeter ?Typically Suva / Canton / Baker / Midway / Burma / Northeastern Australia .... do you have the troops preped ? ...do you have the ships / resources ready to move troops to your defensive objectives ?

Multiple Saves:

As you spend hours clicking through your set up - save in stages in unique slots - so you know where you are.

A suggestion:

Save 1 - Pacific Oceans Area

Save 2 - South Pacific

Save 3 - Southwestern Pacific

Save 4 - Far East Command (Philippines et al)

Save 5 - China

Save 6 - India Burma

Down the road you can eliminate slots - or rewrites over some of those saves when there is no activity. But in the early weeks organize so it is logical to you.

[btd64]

Also, skim over map. Get familiar with it....GP

[USSAmerica]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Now if you're playing the Japanese.....

100+ hours to get the first turn out the door for me.

.... and counting. [:'(] [:D]

[jwolf]

As Allies vs the AI, I deliberately spread out my "first turn" planning over several turns. Partly this was to minimize strain on me, but also it was intended to simulate a shock and disorganized reaction which is IMHO pretty historical.

Playing against a human opponent, I suppose, would call for a different outlook.

[Yaab]

It has to. Logistics trumps all for the Japs. There can be no harakiri without a bayonet available.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Yaab

I have heard rumors it actually takes 60+ hours to setup.

It takes longer if the cat keeps knocking over your stacks of unit counters.

[ago1000]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I have downloaded the spreadsheet and looked it over. I also came across Sardaukar's Newbie setup in the forum. I have started the task of at least giving basic orders, mainly training and search and setting up a supply chain.



Thanks again everyone. [&o]

[ago1000]

Transport Question
I have no problem when the transport starts from its home base loads up and unloads it at its destination.
However, how do you get a transport to load supplies at its destination port and then return to its home port to unload those supplies.

For example, I have xAK in Suva that I want to get supplies from Sydney and then return them to Suva. Is that possible? I have no problems having a transport from Sydney loading up and dropping off the supplies in Suva and then returning back to Sydney. In fact, with CS I can do this almost forever (or until sunk by a sub)

If not, I guess I could use them to supply Savaii, Nadi and Pago Pago bases from Suva.

[btd64]

First, I would be bring the supplies from the west coast. But if you setup a CS TF at Suva, set the destination as Sydney and click on the return cargo key until supply is showing. The ship will move to Sydney and return with supplies....GP

[ago1000]

Thank You btd64 for your quick response. Missed it completely. I only have three choices when I click the return cargo key - none, resources, or fuel. I'm assuming the resources will return the supply I require?
Thanks again.