Japan AAR 1890 take 2

[mrchuck]

Due to a vast number of NMIs over the last six months, I had to abandon my previous Japan AAR and I'm starting again.

Initial comments as before, I like an 1890 start because earlier gun actions are more fun, and you get more control over what you end up with between 1910 and the 40s during the most interesting period of naval warfare.

Japan starting position pretty awful. I still don't like building small and nasty Bs so concentrate on cruisers until our yards can make something decent. I don't have the funds to build something more ambitious overseas.

Precisely one B with 2x9".

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Under construction:

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One fairly useless CA. Not going to complete it, it's not worth it.
Egads! Terrible!

So, building yards and making divisions. The CLs are better armed than the CAs...

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This looks like a much more worthwhile CL to me. Salient points: 21kts, 6" main, 6x TTs for all around firing during a melee, which is how I like to fight CLs in this period, and why I lose so many. But usually inflict disproportionate casualties in the process.

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(continues)

[mrchuck]

Research: set to 10% with the most critical areas IMO set to High:

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Doctrine. Gunnery in this era is pretty woeful so emphasising that and Night fighting, which gives this navy a useful edge.

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I will switch to Torpedo warfare from gunnery when torps have developed a bit, and switch Torpedo tech to high in research once it appears.

I don't really want to be fighting for at least a few years if I can avoid it. The IJN as it sits isn't battleworthy.

(continues)