New Beginnings Game

[TheArchduke]

And turn sent on.

Already the Berbers are trailing behind in production and the amount of sea in this scenario makes me queasy..

My experience with naval operations is slim to say the least and amounts to 5-6 games of WaW and Europe.

[tweber]

ORIGINAL: TheArchduke

And turn sent on.

Already the Berbers are trailing behind in production and the amount of sea in this scenario makes me queasy..

My experience with naval operations is slim to say the least and amounts to 5-6 games of WaW and Europe.

Don't worry, we are a forgiving group ; )

Here are my three thoughts on ships:

1. It is best to have a range of types than just one due to the 'rock, paper, scissors' nature of the sftypes.
2. Ships consume alot of supplies. Especially loaded carriers and transports. It is better to have fewer ships but keep them in supply than to have a large fleet that is crippled from lack of supply.
3. Ships move slowly and this is a big map. You need to plan where you want naval power many turns in advance. Otherwise, you will lose the initiative. Planes re-base 4x as far per turn than ships. If you want to maximize power in an area, build ships first and then fly the planes over.

[TheArchduke]

ORIGINAL: tweber

Don't worry, we are a forgiving group ; )

Here are my three thoughts on ships:

1. It is best to have a range of types than just one due to the 'rock, paper, scissors' nature of the sftypes.
2. Ships consume alot of supplies. Especially loaded carriers and transports. It is better to have fewer ships but keep them in supply than to have a large fleet that is crippled from lack of supply.
3. Ships move slowly and this is a big map. You need to plan where you want naval power many turns in advance. Otherwise, you will lose the initiative. Planes re-base 4x as far per turn than ships. If you want to maximize power in an area, build ships first and then fly the planes over.

Hopefully.

How important are carriers in direct fights? From my experience they are seldom worth it, and a battleships group support by cruisers and destroyers do a better job.

Are subs worth it? AS is nice to but in fights with main fleets they do not amount too much.

[tweber]

I like carriers for 3 reasons:
 
- A carrier with fighters can provide a limited decree of fighter protection for an invasion
- A carrier with divebombers is very effective in ship to ship fights.  Though you will want some other ships to absorb some damage
- A carrier with levelbombers (especially LB 2) is great at knocking out factories and towns deep in an enemy rear.  This takes lots of fighters, flak and engineers to defend against.
 
The carrier load will have a dramatic impact on it's ability to support a mission. 
 
So, I think it is worth having a carrier or 2 in a battle group.
 
Subs can do quite alot of AS damage, certainly enough to pay for themselves.  They also require you opponent to spend alot on destroyers which are otherwise quite useless.
 
In general, I really like a mix of naval units.   But, not too many.  They are tough to keep in supply.  My smaller, balanced and well supplied fleets were quite 'lucky' in our last big random game.
 
 

[tweber]

I have another flight today.  I can do the turn quickly if I get by 14:30 GMT.  Otherwise, it will be later tonight US time.
 
 

[george1972]

If it gets here an hour before that, I can probably get it to you in time...

Luckily you'll be flying back in time, so we should be okay anyway [:D]

[seille]

I didn´t fly around, but i had to sleep after a hard nightshift. Played my turn direct after.
Expansion continues well. I hope to meet somebody soon.
 
 

[george1972]

I played as fast as I could, hope it was there in time...

[seille]

And yes, carriers are a good investment as support in naval battles.
BUT, they are easy to knock out during mud turns. Then they have to be very careful.
Last game i sunk a couple of CV´s, but overall they did a good job and has been worth the
investment.
This time it is much easier cause we have the complete level I equipmet available. Last game you had to
research the whole ships and to get CV´s was a bigger R&D project (destroyers->battleships->carriers).
I had never the capacity to get them, i had other priorities.
 
In this game i think the player with the best navy might win. With all those islands naval superiority as well as air superiority
is the key. Ground forces won´t play a important role i think. At least we shouldn´t see bigger land battles with longer fronts.

[Arditi]

Turn to Archduke.  No contact with others yet.  Expanding nicely.  No response from Darth Seille on a peace proposal.  I am at peace with all others.  Map has been very interesting for me.  I think I have found a larger continent.  All other's have been smaller or little islands.
  Best Regards, Arditi[:)]

[Arditi]

Arditi of the "Sea Raiders" continues to send out his cargoships filled with explorers. He is ever fearful and vigilant for enemy submarines. Here the "Phoenecians", George, awaits Arditi with the submarine...USS Garfield. It has a fearful reputation. Notice the commander in the conning tower. He awaits his next victim.

[george1972]

I will play my turn late this evening.

[george1972]

Turn to Tom.

No sight of anyone and my engineers have a hell of a time ploughing through dense forests to establish a supply line to forward troops.
Too bad they only encounter small villages with Indians in them...

[tweber]

Turn to Arditti.
 
A scout plane spotted one of George's ships.  Not sure if he is a friend or foe.

[seille]

ORIGINAL: george1972
.....and my engineers have a hell of a time ploughing through dense forests to establish a supply line to forward troops.
....

Lol, be happy they have to make their way thru forests. My engineers have mostly MOUNTAIN terrain to master.
Hihi, at least it is good to defend.....

[Arditi]

  Turn to Archduke,
     I still have unimpeded expansion.  I'm happy with this.  Still have not bumped into anyone yet.  I have what feels like a large empire.
       Best Regards, Arditi[:)]

[TheArchduke]

Terrain? I am in the middle of islands, islands, islands.

Sigh. I will have to establish a serious navy.

Turn on.

[george1972]

Turn to Tom.

My ships encountered one of his fleets and we're setting up embassies to ensure a peaceful co-existence between our two powerful nations.

[tweber]

Hi George,
 
You accidently sent me the file before your turn. 
 

[seille]

ORIGINAL: george1972

we're setting up embassies to ensure a peaceful co-existence between our two powerful nations.

Lol, peaceful co-existence....Tom will just wait for the right moment while he´s preparing for the war against you.
I know what i´m talking about [;)]