What is the point of patrol groups?

[sveint]

What are they used for?

[ncc1701e]

They don't consume much oil.

@Remington700 is using them for "low cost" naval resupply. I think this is a good idea.
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 9#p4976289

Other than that, no idea.

[eskuche]

They don't consume much oil.

@Remington700 is using them for "low cost" naval resupply. I think this is a good idea.
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 9#p4976289

Other than that, no idea.

This is a good idea until someone runs in a stack of 6 BB and runs it out, since supplying transforms you into fleet mode with interdiction. I do this at the HK harbor pretty often safely, though.

[ncc1701e]

You can't always win.

[generalfdog]

asked this myself awhile back, imho they aren't much good, you can use them for little resupply missions or to interdict attempted amphibious landings, like subs they can interdict supplies but can't blockade they are cheap and build fast, they do supply shore bombardment, I often times use them behind the lines or in China supplying units or providing limited shore bombardment, obviously they aren't much good against capitol ships, for the money I would rather a sub or wait a little longer for a destroyer

[ncc1701e]

Use case 1: PT boats doing port supply interdiction.

PT boat - Port Supply Interdiction.JPG (52.06 KiB) Viewed 1107 times

[ncc1701e]

Use case 2: PT boats closing the circle around a port, preventing enemy to be next to the port and obliging the enemy to engage.

PT boat - Closing the ring.JPG (49.12 KiB) Viewed 1106 times

[ncc1701e]

Use case 3: PT boats doing a nice flower. A little gamey isn't it? Looks like an ant tactic.

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PT Boats flower.JPG (30.95 KiB) Viewed 1072 times

[ncc1701e]

Oh sorry, did I scratch the painting? At 2 strength, PT boats are just useful to train my pilots. Please continue to send them.

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PT Boats flower 2.JPG (74.33 KiB) Viewed 1042 times

[ncc1701e]

All right, I have found another variation. But this time, this is done with night moves for the six fleets.
So, I can't do a naval air attack.

Only possibility is a surface attack (night move also) if I am lucky to find something.

If there are 12 ships around, this move can be done each turn.

Exploit? Or not exploit?

Because here I can't break the blockade by sending a ship around. Don't you think we should forbid this kind of placement?
For example, allow two naval stacks max around a given port.

A new rule like:
No more than two friendly naval stacks around an enemy port.

I don't know. This is a concentration of ships at a given location. And we can't be strong everywhere.
But, in the early game, this is not cool for the Allies.

And, in 1944, I am sure the Axis player will also complain about this. I will.

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Circle night move.JPG (65.58 KiB) Viewed 968 times

[generalfdog]

does surrounding ports really do anything? once a port is blockaded you can't get out and trying to get in you are intercepted

[ncc1701e]

does surrounding ports really do anything? once a port is blockaded you can't get out and trying to get in you are intercepted

You can do something. As per the rule, you can put a fleet next to the port to prevent the blockade.

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Port blockade.JPG (26.91 KiB) Viewed 909 times

[ncc1701e]

Here is an example. This DD fleet from USA is doing a port blockade against two small islands.

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Port blockade 1.JPG (43.59 KiB) Viewed 907 times

I can simply place this DD fleet next to the port to prevent the blockade. If I want to avoid naval air interdiction, I may do this move by using a night move. I am not obliged to attack.

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Port blockade 2.JPG (46.88 KiB) Viewed 907 times

The exploit with the above "flower" placement is that you can't move a fleet next to the port to prevent the blockade.

[AlvaroSousa]

They were an added unit representing coastal ships. I put them in to see how well they would play. They might not be in the next game. I wasn't sure if it was appropriate but I wanted to give the players another option.

[ncc1701e]

What about the above exploit? Anything that can be done to implement a rule to prevent it?

[AlvaroSousa]

What exploit? All of the above are valid and they can be easily dealt with.

[generalfdog]

keep them they are entertainment