Depots and Tenders AR,AS,AD,MLE's

[cookie monster]

Just wanted to know how many of these various ships you aim to have at various points in the game.
I guess I didnt convert enough when I started mid-42, but how can you know in your first full map game.

What I was thinking was

4AR 2AS 2AD per repair port, with the same just at a few bases just behind the front line. I presume I should also bring these near the front for major invasions.

As for MLE,AE and AGP I'm a bit unsure. I guess between 5-10 MLE sound ok at the moment.

So how many do you guys and gals use?

[Bobthehatchit]

ORIGINAL: cookie monster

Just wanted to know how many of these various ships you aim to have at various points in the game.
I guess I didnt convert enough when I started mid-42, but how can you know in your first full map game.

What I was thinking was

4AR 2AS 2AD per repair port, with the same just at a few bases just behind the front line. I presume I should also bring these near the front for major invasions.

As for MLE,AE and AGP I'm a bit unsure. I guess between 5-10 MLE sound ok at the moment.

So how many do you guys and gals use?

I tend to have 4 Ar's at each major repair port plus an AD at forward repair bases, especially around the IO and Aus. I base AS at my major sub op bases.

Never used and AGP.

MLE's have four i move them around as required to support my operations.

I start out building 20AR then a few more later on is required.

8 eight usually go to IO.

Then eight to Aus ports.

[Yamato hugger]

I build 3 MLEs (Japan or US). 1 assigned to each major front (example, Kwaj, Rabul, Kendari for Japs).

I build about 12 total ARs. 2 each at my major sub bases, and 2 each in my operational supply bases (ie Truk, Palau, Siagon for the Japs at the start of the game. As I push out, the bases move out also). I do about the same as allies. 1 AD per operational supply base also. An operational supply base is where I send supplies to behind the lines out of enemy air range (or at least beyond escort range) where I marshall supplies and resources. Any ships damaged in the front, or needing torpedo reloads come here. Damaged ships ride back to rear area bases in supply convoys.

AGP I build 4 or 5 and keep them near the front.

AS I scatter around. I tend to put 2 per major sub base (3 Jap and 4 allied) and the others I use near the front for sub resupply. I also try to have a fleet HQ at the operational supply bases and sub bases as well to assist repairs.

[SgtSwanson]

Ok, stupid question, but how do you build ARs?

[Yamato hugger]

ORIGINAL: SgtSwanson

Ok, stupid question, but how do you build ARs?

Its not a stupid question, its hidden very well in the rules.

For the Japs its Osaka, for the allies its San Fran. You go to your "home port" and click on an AK of 5000 tons plus and you will have options to convert them to other types. Takes 180 days (Japs can hurry this by the way). You convert PT tenders by doing the same with a PG (allies only). (page 75 in the rules)

[tsimmonds]

I build about 12 total ARs.

IJ starts with one. I added 15 to the queue right away. I thought this would be plenty. I added 4 more a few weeks later, then 4 more a couple of weeks after that, and I just started 8 more; 32 total, 8 ports with 4 in each. I think this might finally be enough (may have to convert some more AS now though.[;)]

They really help a great deal. I have scads of damaged ships.

[SgtSwanson]

Thanks guys. I've picked up on a lot of little things in these forums, and then read more in the rules.[:D]

[Xargun]

Wow.. By the look of things I build way to much... I have ARs coming (As Japan) in two batches. The first is 10 ARs and I accelerated them from day one. The second batch is another 10 which is building at normal speed. I plan on having 4 in each major port in Japan as well as some in Truk, Singapore, Kendari and other places as needed for repairs or to replace ARs damaged or lost in air raids. My point of view is as Japan I cannot afford to lose ANY ships, so I want to be able to save as many as I can... and whats the point of saving a crippled ship if I can't get it back into the fight before the war is lost ? So ARs are important to my strategy.

As for MLEs - I think I built 4-6 of them for use in various areas - but as Japan you will have some nice bases to use instead (Truk and Singapore) early... My MLEs are for Rabaul, Kendari, Rangoon, etc....

I also build a few AS as Japan as they are handy to have at forward posts to repair crippled subs so they can make it home without sinking.. Wake, Tarawa, Kwajalein, Rangoon, Kendari, etc.... should all have them.

As for ADs IO leave my 3 at home - to valuable so far to risk their loss.

As for positioning remember 4 ARs will stack, but AS and AD do not stack so only 1 of them is needed at the port. Also, remember to have a few extra to replace ships damaged (and sent home for repair) or lost ships. Also, have Naval Fleet HQs at your repair ports too as they help to repair ships as well.

Xargun

[Yamato hugger]

ORIGINAL: Xargun
As for MLEs - I think I built 4-6 of them for use in various areas - but as Japan you will have some nice bases to use instead (Truk and Singapore) early... My MLEs are for Rabaul, Kendari, Rangoon, etc....

I dont base my minelayers close enough to be hit by land based air. Singapore is close enough on the India front (unless I am physically moving into India, and then Trincomalee or one of the north eastern ports works just fine). Truk is close enough to Rabul if allied air is in range of Rabul. If I press on to NC or Aus then I have Rabul as a mine base. Sjoboingerja (however the hell you spell it) is good in the DEI. That means all I need is 1 at Kwaj if I dont push beyond the historical line. Thats it really. I have 1 mobile and 1 reserve.

As for ADs IO leave my 3 at home - to valuable so far to risk their loss.

Leave them home? then why have them? You dont need them there. Their purpose is to reload torps on surface ships at less than major ports. You only get 3, and you cant make more so make the most of them. When you are on the defensive you probably wont need them anymore, so use them while you are still on the offensive.

As for positioning remember 4 ARs will stack, but AS and AD do not stack so only 1 of them is needed at the port. Also, remember to have a few extra to replace ships damaged (and sent home for repair) or lost ships. Also, have Naval Fleet HQs at your repair ports too as they help to repair ships as well.

Personally I deploy them in pairs in case the base they are at is raided and 1 gets shot up. I dont have to waste time bringing a spare in. And if I am unlucky enough to have them both hit, then oh well. Not like either side doesnt have more than enough anyways.

Edit: refering to AS's there.

[ny59giants]

As the Allies I have had to re-start my scenario (#13) in May '42 and with the huge amount of supply ships the Allied get, I started building up repair ships. I have about 25 AR's, 12 AD's, 14 AS's, 5 MLE's, and 6 AE's due in 11/42. This along with what the normal Allied production schedule gets. I will put 4 AR's & 3 AD's in San Fran and at least 2 AR's (plus possible AD's) in Seattle, LA, SD, Pearl, Nouemea, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, India, and have two groups of 4AR's & 3AD's for each main axis of Allied advances (Central Pacific & SW Pacific). The AS's will be at the main bases - Pearl, Brisbane, Perth, & IO along with Sydney.
I want there to be adequeate repair ships where needed and with the number of upgrades the Allied ships go thru and by late '43, the number of operations that will be hopefully underway around the Pacific, the last thing I want is to wait on shipyard and port size to repair ships.
I haven't played the Jap yet, so I don't know how they do it or amount of ships they can afford to devote to this, but it seems an important part of the game that can hurt you if it is over looked.

P.S. I spent 2 1/2 years in the late 70's working on AS-34 repairing U.S. ballistic subs, so i know how important they are!!

[Bobthehatchit]

ORIGINAL: Yamato hugger

ORIGINAL: SgtSwanson

Ok, stupid question, but how do you build ARs?

Its not a stupid question, its hidden very well in the rules.

For the Japs its Osaka, for the allies its San Fran. You go to your "home port" and click on an AK of 5000 tons plus and you will have options to convert them to other types. Takes 180 days (Japs can hurry this by the way). You convert PT tenders by doing the same with a PG (allies only). (page 75 in the rules)

As allies its the 7000 and 7200 ton Ak's you can convert.

[rogueusmc]

I convert about two dozen AKs at start then I convert the Liberties as the trickle in (the Liberties are slow pigs)