Beginner in WiS - Please ELI5 how RSVs work for replacement

[WingedIncubus]

Coming from WITP:AE and WITE2, I thought that replacements would come directly from the general production pool. You turn Replacement On and, each with each logistic turn, the unit would automatically attempt to draw replacements from the pool.

Reading the manual, however, I do not understand concept of Reserve Supply Vehicles as a beginner. Must I create RSVs everytime I want to bring replacements to units on the fronts? Don't units refit by themselves from the pool stockpile? Does the AI use it as well, or is it player only?

Must say I am really overwhelmed, even more than in WITP:AE. At least in the latter, you have six months or so as the Allies to put your stuff in order but in WiS, it's not very intuitive. Nature of the conflict, I suppose.

[RangerJoe]

Coming from WITP:AE and WITE2, I thought that replacements would come directly from the general production pool. You turn Replacement On and, each with each logistic turn, the unit would automatically attempt to draw replacements from the pool.

Reading the manual, however, I do not understand concept of Reserve Supply Vehicles as a beginner. Must I create RSVs everytime I want to bring replacements to units on the fronts? Don't units refit by themselves from the pool stockpile? Does the AI use it as well, or is it player only?

Must say I am really overwhelmed, even more than in WITP:AE. At least in the latter, you have six months or so as the Allies to put your stuff in order but in WiS, it's not very intuitive. Nature of the conflict, I suppose.

Please read through these AARs. These were done before some updates but they should explain a few things.

https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopic.php?t=415090

and then this one.

https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopic.php?t=416407

[WingedIncubus]

Please read through these AARs. These were done before some updates but they should explain a few things.

https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopic.php?t=415090

and then this one.

https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopic.php?t=416407

Reading the first AAR as we speak.

Still, it does not answer my basic question as a beginner - why create RSVs, if the units can draw replacements from the pool? Is it because the pool replenishes monthly, and the production so paltry, and the supply lines so rugged and slow that it's better to use RSVs to dump disabled decides and/or bring replacements faster on the map, or if disabled let them repair on the map in the rear lines, and then use that RSV as a sort of forward replenishment depot rather than draw from the pool?

Also, taking devices from units scheduled to be disbanded feels kind of an exploit - unless the manpower leaves, but the mechanical devices return into the pool upon disbanding?

[RangerJoe]

Please read through these AARs. These were done before some updates but they should explain a few things.

https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopic.php?t=415090

and then this one.

https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopic.php?t=416407

Reading the first AAR as we speak.

Still, it does not answer my basic question as a beginner - why create RSVs, if the units can draw replacements from the pool? Is it because the pool replenishes monthly, and the production so paltry, and the supply lines so rugged and slow that it's better to use RSVs to dump disabled decides and/or bring replacements faster on the map, or if disabled let them repair on the map in the rear lines, and then use that RSV as a sort of forward replenishment depot rather than draw from the pool?

Also, taking devices from units scheduled to be disbanded feels kind of an exploit - unless the manpower leaves, but the mechanical devices return into the pool upon disbanding?

By removing the disabled devices from units, the units can go into combat where the disabled devices are much less likely to be lost since they won't be in that combat. If the unit gets replacements from RSVs on the map, then those devices enter the units at that experience level. If the replacement devices are drawn from stockpiles using supplies, their experience is very low which results in a lower experience for the unit.

When a unit is disbanded, the devices return to the pools where they use no supplies. Once they are sent to new units, their experience is the same as new recruits. RSV units can send replacements up to 20 hexes away if a land supply path is available. Then there is no supply used by the unit to get those replacements.

[WingedIncubus]

By removing the disabled devices from units, the units can go into combat where the disabled devices are much less likely to be lost since they won't be in that combat. If the unit gets replacements from RSVs on the map, then those devices enter the units at that experience level. If the replacement devices are drawn from stockpiles using supplies, their experience is very low which results in a lower experience for the unit.

When a unit is disbanded, the devices return to the pools where they use no supplies. Once they are sent to new units, their experience is the same as new recruits. RSV units can send replacements up to 20 hexes away if a land supply path is available. Then there is no supply used by the unit to get those replacements.

Thank you for the swift response.

Reading further into the manual, I think I get it now - replacements for LCUs are no longer automated directly from the production pool. Instead, a custom RSV is created by the AI with orders filled from the pool, which then can be moved by the player closer to the target unit to be refilled when the orders are fulfilled.

8.2.5 Replacement Screen

This screen provides the type and number of devices of the selected nation to be set as replacements in the current hex or in a
radius of 200 NM around the hex. You can choose a base where the reserves shall be built for shipment or choose the
recommended base via the buttons on the bottom. The lower left buttons allow you to create a reserve unit "overstrength" by 10 to
30% for either the available locations or a radius of up to 200 NM around the current hex. The "required" devices in the list do
include any upgrades that your ground units can currently receive.

Usually, the replacements must be sent by a player creating an RSV unit at home and manually set the type and number of devices
or pool points the RSV shall load. This panel allows us to automate the process and will result in a ready-to-go RSV unit containing
the TOE for devices desired. The panel includes any devices required for upgrades. Overall, it is a quick way to create the
replacements required in a hex or around a given hex. All a player then must do is to wait for the new RSV unit to fill up and then
move it near the hex in question by whatever transportation is available.

[RangerJoe]

By removing the disabled devices from units, the units can go into combat where the disabled devices are much less likely to be lost since they won't be in that combat. If the unit gets replacements from RSVs on the map, then those devices enter the units at that experience level. If the replacement devices are drawn from stockpiles using supplies, their experience is very low which results in a lower experience for the unit.

When a unit is disbanded, the devices return to the pools where they use no supplies. Once they are sent to new units, their experience is the same as new recruits. RSV units can send replacements up to 20 hexes away if a land supply path is available. Then there is no supply used by the unit to get those replacements.

Thank you for the swift response.

You are most welcome!

Reading further into the manual, I think I get it now - replacements for LCUs are no longer automated directly from the production pool. Instead, a custom RSV is created by the AI with orders filled from the pool, which then can be moved by the player closer to the target unit to be refilled when the orders are fulfilled.

8.2.5 Replacement Screen

This screen provides the type and number of devices of the selected nation to be set as replacements in the current hex or in a
radius of 200 NM around the hex. You can choose a base where the reserves shall be built for shipment or choose the
recommended base via the buttons on the bottom. The lower left buttons allow you to create a reserve unit "overstrength" by 10 to
30% for either the available locations or a radius of up to 200 NM around the current hex. The "required" devices in the list do
include any upgrades that your ground units can currently receive.

Usually, the replacements must be sent by a player creating an RSV unit at home and manually set the type and number of devices
or pool points the RSV shall load. This panel allows us to automate the process and will result in a ready-to-go RSV unit containing
the TOE for devices desired. The panel includes any devices required for upgrades. Overall, it is a quick way to create the
replacements required in a hex or around a given hex. All a player then must do is to wait for the new RSV unit to fill up and then
move it near the hex in question by whatever transportation is available.

The replacements can be done by the supplies or by creating an RSV unit. It is done in your preference choices. But note that the RSV unit must have its move mode set to disperse the replacements, if it is in any other mode it will not sent out replacements - nor will it defend itself!

[WingedIncubus]

The replacements can be done by the supplies or by creating an RSV unit. It is done in your preference choices. But note that the RSV unit must have its move mode set to disperse the replacements, if it is in any other mode it will not sent out replacements - nor will it defend itself!

Thank you, I think I will be practicing with Scenario 7 for a while to get a hold of things. The main campaign looks so overwhelming, and from your AAR their ships moving troops from Morocco seem to be absolutely mauled by submarines and Republican Air Force.

[RangerJoe]

The replacements can be done by the supplies or by creating an RSV unit. It is done in your preference choices. But note that the RSV unit must have its move mode set to disperse the replacements, if it is in any other mode it will not sent out replacements - nor will it defend itself!

Thank you, I think I will be practicing with Scenario 7 for a while to get a hold of things. The main campaign looks so overwhelming, and from your AAR their ships moving troops from Morocco seem to be absolutely mauled by submarines and Republican Air Force.

They can be mauled which is one reason why they were actually moved by air transports. Once the CD gun defenses are in place then the surface ship danger is reduced. Unfortunately, the air attacks are very effective in the game and there aren't enough anti-submarine ships available.

[WingedIncubus]

I have a weird situation in my AAR regarding replacements and RSV: https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 6#p5290886

Despite Pollensa not being connected to Spain, both Vidal and Carlos Marx' Regiments there still received their squad replacements overseas on missing devices that I had previously set up inside a RSV in Barcelona.

Perhaps it's the supply preference being set to Pool, but I thought LCUs in hexes not connected to the main supply bases had to have their replacements delivered overseas through a RSV unit, then they would replace the devices as long as they are within 200 NM and can trace a supply line over land to the RSV?

Unless they took the reinforcements from my Barcelona RSV? It is only 17 hexes away so within 200 NM, but they would be overseasa... yet they did? Or perhaps they took the replacements from the Disabled RSVs I had repatriated to Pollensa?

[RangerJoe]

I have a weird situation in my AAR regarding replacements and RSV: https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 6#p5290886

Despite Pollensa not being connected to Spain, both Vidal and Carlos Marx' Regiments there still received their squad replacements overseas on missing devices that I had previously set up inside a RSV in Barcelona.

Perhaps it's the supply preference being set to Pool, but I thought LCUs in hexes not connected to the main supply bases had to have their replacements delivered overseas through a RSV unit, then they would replace the devices as long as they are within 200 NM and can trace a supply line over land to the RSV?

Unless they took the reinforcements from my Barcelona RSV? It is only 17 hexes away so within 200 NM, but they would be overseasa... yet they did? Or perhaps they took the replacements from the Disabled RSVs I had repatriated to Pollensa?

The bases were set to be connected for the purpose of replacements.

[Dali101]

Personally, I prefer direct reinforcement from the pools, even though it means a slight reduction in XP.

It’s not that I’m fundamentally opposed to creating RSV units.
But SCN001—and the upcoming SCN011—are massive. If you tried to create RSV units for everything and everyone, you’d simply wear yourself out clicking...

I leave the RSV units created after a TOE upgrade on the map for a few days (in "distribute" mode) and then disband the remainder of the unit back into the pool.

I only create an RSV unit in exceptional cases—specifically, when I want to transfer weapons between the Republic and the North.

[Tomadeira101]

SCN011, you say? A new GC what-if scenario if France and Britain gets more involved?

The closed beta patch owners would know better, but I think that SCN011 is the Grand Campaign with other naval rules, that don't allow Italian and German surface ships (Submarines aren't afected) to raid or attack republican boats, but also makes impossible to the Republic to attack those.

This depicts better the real life conflict.

If I'm wrong, glad to see fictional scenarios in the game.