PBEM

[there_goes_the_yorktown]

Hi

I'm looking take the plunge against a human opponent but I'm not sure how the PBEM thing works, can some one give me a quick run down on how to get started. I also get the impression I'll need v 2.30 to play, can some one point me in the right direction to get the patch.

By the way, I'm intregued by the whole conquest of PM early on. I've never seen the AI attempt it, if someone wants to demonstrate the finer arts I'll post on the looking for players section when I know what I'm doing.

[Bill Durrant]

If you bought your version in Europe its a good chance you are already patched up to v2.30 - check the screen once loaded up

I was, didn't realise, added the patches, stuff goes into different directories and you keep getting wrong disc messages. All very annoying and then I realised I didn't need the patches.

[there_goes_the_yorktown]

Your right enough, I never noticed that.

Cheers

[rogueusmc]

The Japanese player sets the game up...he end orders, saves and sends the game file and the replay to the allied player. Allied player ends orders, saves and sends game file only to the Japanese player. repeat and rinse.

[marky]

LOLZ

i said the EXACT same thing almost INCLUDING rinse and repeat LOL

but it wouldnt lemme post it, sum kind of error screen on a white backround saying - were sorry we couldnt post wat u wrote or sumthing like that lolz

[jeffs]

The key for taking PM is nailing the airbase shut, at least long enough to unload enough troops to take the place. To do so takes a combination of the following
A. Air raids from Rabual (not enough, but can keep a closed air base down longer.
B. Carrier Air (but be careful, if you do too many raids your flyers will be tired and vulnerable to counterattack. You do not want to lose half the Kido Butai for PM (unless you take out 4-6 of the pre-Essex carriers).
C. Bombardment runs. In particular, the fast BBs (Kongo class) are great for this. The bigger BBs(Nagato, Yamoto, etc) are good but potentially vulnerable to air from PM (well while the Yamoto might as well be invulnerable, the accompanying CAs and DDs are definitely vulnerable. Combining that with massive fuel consumption, I prefer the fast BBs (unless the US has a big fleet at PM).

So knock down the air. You will lose some ships and Aussie based LBs will torture some transports...But you will be able to take it....

Also, if you get PM, there are various theories on it`s use, but for me, I just would want to build up the fort as high as it goes, keep on some AA and that is it. Allied LB can rip it to shreds if used as an airbase. Also vulnerable for a bombardment attack. Please note you should take Gili Gili before PM.

[there_goes_the_yorktown]

. Please note you should take Gili Gili before PM.[/quote]

I have always found its easy enough to keep Gili Gili suppressed with air raids from PM and CVs partoling south of NG (asuming you shun a carrier battle early on). This is only against the AI of course who seems more intent on bombing an unoccupied Lunga back to the stone age with his kates than protect his supply routes.

[jeffs]

My only point is do not let the US build up the base at GG.

[crsutton]

Here is mine in a nutshell.

1. Wait for all of your carriers to arrive

2. Never rest you tankers. That is get as much fuel to Shortland and Rabual as soon as possible.

3. Take Gili as early as you can. (The Allies might reinforce it but they are just throwing troops away).

4. Build GG to at least a lev 4 base and lev 4 port and send 150-200 base support factors. Two reasons here. If he is foolish enough to challenge your carriers at this stage, you can use bettys along with you carriers to end his hopes. Also, any damaged carriers can maybe make it to Gili and survive.

5. Close, PM as an airbase with your BBs and bettys. (Never use carrier aircraft to attack major bases.) At the same time dump a large load of fuel at GG along with some supply. (Makes your BBs more effective).

Send two to three divisions along with good combat engineers to take PM.

If you do it this way-it is futile for the Allies to seriously resist-and if he does, you will not only take PM but be in a good position to win the game early.

[jeffs]

I think GG is very vulnerable as a base (for both sides)...Keeping a lot of Betty`s there seems like a magnet for US LBA...And unlike fighters that can flee a base taking a battering, the Betty`s will be stuck as they get pounded......I would rather build up Woodlark Island as it is less vulnerable...

Anyway, even if you do build it up heavily (GG). I would think you would wait until PM is yours to really put in th engineers necessary.

[crsutton]

Well, you are right, but at the same time you are moving bettys to Gili you should be pounding PM with surface bombardments. The idea is to close PM as a viable airbase, with bettys and plenty of fuel for your BBs at Gili, this is not a problem. Any smart Allied player will get his precious airgroups out of PM before the bombardments start as he risks losing them if they are trapped there.

At this stage of the game the B17s are too few and the Allied mediums have very low skill levels. I don't worry about them too much.

The only real purpose for Japanese BBs is to bombard bases. They are in a sense, the Japanese B17.

[KGV]

If you avoid a carrier battle early on can you not have at least one task force patroling south of PM waiting to mug any surface fleets that sally along the south coast ( or can they sprint there and back). How would the IJN player build up the base on Gili Gili suficiently? Bear in mind that I've never played a human opponent but I find that if you can hit the task force dropping the base forces off reasonably heavily then pound it with your B 17s you can shut the port down, increasing unloading times, making it easier to drive off or destroy supply runs.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: KGV

If you avoid a carrier battle early on can you not have at least one task force patroling south of PM waiting to mug any surface fleets that sally along the south coast ( or can they sprint there and back). How would the IJN player build up the base on Gili Gili suficiently? Bear in mind that I've never played a human opponent but I find that if you can hit the task force dropping the base forces off reasonably heavily then pound it with your B 17s you can shut the port down, increasing unloading times, making it easier to drive off or destroy supply runs.

Not against a good human opponent. The Japanese carrier force is so strong that he can just sail it out into the Coral Sea between Austrailia and PM and hunt you down at his leisure. I just sit my (Japanese) carriers about six hexes south of Gili and that either keeps the Allies out of my way or tempts them into a battle. (not a good idea) You run the real risk of getting trapped if you operate south of PM as the Allies early in the game. You need to remember that Allied LBA is very weak at this time. There is really no safe Port to run to and hide except Brisbane and Noumea. Most Allied LBA units are below 60 in experience level. Not a real risk to the carriers of the IJN.