Question for Japanese players

[Dereck]

I'm working on a scenario designed specifically for Human vs Japanese AI.

I posted in the modding forum but didn’t get much actionable feedback, so I thought I’d ask the people who actually play the Japanese side.

Since the AI won’t perform optional ship conversions, I’m trying to figure out which ones I should turn into upgrades so the AI will actually use them.

For those who play Japan, which conversions do you consider:
- Absolutely necessary
- Generally a good idea
- Not worth doing at all

I’ve never played the Japanese side, so I don’t have a good feel for which conversions matter and which ones don’t.

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

[dr.hal]

another important question to address is; "what ships to build and what not to build"?

[Dereck]

another important question too address is; "what ships to build and what not to build"?

Thank you for your reply but right now I really just want the questions above answered.

Seeing that the Japanese "player" will be the AI I'm not sure how to implement what you are saying and that is not on my list at the moment.

[Diliwitm]

- Absolutely necessary
Floatplane cruisers to CVL's

You should play Japan before going in that adventure.

[RangerJoe]

Convert the Ansyu-C cargo vessels to PBs, other ships to PBs, AMcs, ACMs, AVs, ARs, ADs, AKEs, AVs, and AGs.

[dr.hal]

you will need to convert about 5 or 6 tankers to AOs.... and every ship that can to ACMs to keep minefields active.

[davidgillsol]

I never convert the Oi and Kitikama from Torpedo cruisers, but thats just because I like the thought of launching huge numbers of torpedoes at once against a big US task force.
Never succeeded in hitting anything mind you

[Diliwitm]

Also all minions xAK 4000nm and 2100nm to PB,ACM,aMc.

[PaxMondo]

I'm working on a scenario designed specifically for Human vs Japanese AI.

I posted in the modding forum but didn’t get much actionable feedback, so I thought I’d ask the people who actually play the Japanese side.

Since the AI won’t perform optional ship conversions, I’m trying to figure out which ones I should turn into upgrades so the AI will actually use them.

For those who play Japan, which conversions do you consider:
- Absolutely necessary
- Generally a good idea
- Not worth doing at all

A worthy quest, GOOD LUCK!!

I’ve never played the Japanese side, so I don’t have a good feel for which conversions matter and which ones don’t.

This will kill you.

The answer is, as in most things: it depends.

What does it depend upon? Simple: Strategy.

Example: one of the first questions that an IJ player has to answer is:
Am I going for early win or am I playing to outlast the allies in '45?
The answer to this creates a VERY different need in terms of everything: resource goals, aircraft RnD, aircraft production, ship conversions, initial targets, all of it.

Next, even when you choose one of these overarching strategies, you then need to refine it even more.
Example: early win in Dec 42 or Dec 43? Big difference.

Now keep refining these strategies. This is what the AI files are all about, different strategies. On the IJ side it becomes even more difficult because things like conversions do matter on the strategy and you cannot change your conversion line via script ... it is going to be hard coded in your upgrade paths.
Example: for a Dec 42 auto-victory rush, you would NOT want to the CS to convert to CVL. Why? Can't afford the time for it and you need the NavSearch that they give. A CS is better than no ship for +60 days.

Having spent most of the last 2 decades modding this game for the AI, I can decisively state that creating an AI mod without knowing/playing the AI side will not yield a good result. You will need to update/modify/create the AI files to do this in addition to all the other work (like TOE, upgrades, conversions, devices, resource builds/repairs, etc) and all of this relates to strategy initially, and then various tactics secondly to get a good result. This is why most mods are PBEM, AI mods are far more difficult and labor intensive and there have only been a couple to date compared to the over 100 PBEM mods.

Get gaming! Play the IJ and play using the different strategies to see the differences that you would want. It will surprise you. Further, you will find out why I PLAY the IJ and design the allied AI (far, far easier!).

Good Luck! I am really looking forward to your mod as at the moment only the Ironman mod exists for the IJ AI.

[Diliwitm]

What Pax says.