New Conoy Escort Mechanic

[AlvaroSousa]

when I made WarPlan and the sub rules I never thought players would use CVs to run around and chase subs creating this cat and mouse chase on the naval map. I want to have WarPlan be as little micromanagement as possible.

So I was thinking of doing this.....

Removing CV ability to attack subs and treat it as a surface unit vs subs.
Air units can still attack subs.

Add a new mission to naval units, convoy escort.
Naval units can sit out as sea.
They protect convoys in a 1 operation point radius 24 hexes.
They can't intercept naval fleets
They add escort factors convoy lane increase their % to hit the sub. I have to work out the math for this.

Removes micromanagement of CVs chasing subs.
Later in the game it also better replicates the Allies ability to cover the entire lane.

Thoughts?

[ncc1701e]

Do you mean this Convoy Escort mission?
If so, CV will have to change between Convoy Escort and Carrier Operation?

Will it allow CV to intercept air units attacking convoys with their carrier based planes?
Then, no more need to move subs each turn? Or, is there an incentive to do so for detection?

Cheers

[ComadrejaKorp]

Sounds good, as always.

In general, I would like the convoy routes to be more difficult to defend from u-boats, before it was more difficult but it is becoming easier for the allies to hunt SS, there is no fear and I think that until 1942 it should not be like that, especially if only navy is used, the battle of the atlantic should start with enough advantage for the axis. Later, some kind of bonus if it is combined with aviation? This way the use of strategic bombers for the Allies would be favored, most of the games scenario 1939 I don't even see them.

You have solved the problem of the raider mode surface fleets that sink too much merchant marine with a pursuit attack, but to balance I would like stronger SS, in 1942 the escort convoy technology could not increase anti-sub and defense factors, and in 1943 increase directly to 3 anti-sub and 4 defense?

They are just my thoughts, but even if you didn't change anything, I would still enjoy Warplan.

[AlvaroSousa]

A mission like this. I mission one can select and place the CV at sea to cover the convoys within 24 hexes. Simple.

[AlvaroSousa]

One of the reasons why I am able to offer this now is that I figured out how to apply air vs convoy with simplistic code not adding to the turn calculations. This same method can be used for fleets on escort duty.

The effect of it will smooth out the u-boat war so a lower variance based on each sides use of resources more than luck.

As it is an unlucky Allied player or very lucky Allied player can drastically shift the Battle of the Atlantic very early with the CVs chasing down subs.

Like in one game I played the subs were smashed in 1939 and couldn't come back to sea for 3 months using resources meant for France changing the game.
In another the subs were never found in 1939 and 1940 and devastated the UK convoys pretty handily.

CVs were part of the original calculation assuming players would use them once in a while like this. but players use them constantly like this. So it skewed the math.

[MorningDew]

I think anything eliminating the game of chase is a good idea.

[Lascar]

Good idea eliminating the CV sub hunting and replacing it with fleet support of convoy escorts. Sounds more like how it was done historically. The main fleet carries did not go on sub hunting missions, rather the small escort CVs, as part of the convoy escort group provided the air anti-sub element for convoy protection. I find the current chasing of subs with CVs frustrating and non-immersive.

Up vote for your new solution!

[malkarma]

In order to make this work ina perfet way, I think that we need 2 kind of CV's.
1) Fleet CV... like the ones we have, something between 50-90 planes on deck ( British CV have less planes due their extra armor to operate in the MNEd, and also because their planes suck when operating from a CV until 43).
2) Light CV..this ones not only represent the th Light CV class that the USN deployed until the arrival of the Essex Clas, but also the " Jeep Carriers" tht ultimately hepled to end the BoA once and for all
The light carrier shouled be easier to build and quickers tto deply in exchange to less combat factors compared to the Fleet ones.
Probably this change will be more important in the Pacific scenarios.
What do you think Alvaro?

[AlvaroSousa]

Not on this scale.

[ncc1701e]

Looks good and without a new button it seems.

[ncc1701e]

The bonus is indeed there. The whole game is changed. I think the Allies will now have to concentrate production points on the Battle of Atlantic before going after Portugal or strategic bombing campaign early.

Great!!!

[AlvaroSousa]

It allows a bit more of strategic decision making for both sides without all this cat and mouse chasing. I hated it and it was never intended.