Balance is Good

[CHINCHIN]

Yes, I've noticed it too, it goes like long gust of wind. In some mirror games, my rival sank 4-5 MM with very few submarine losses, and I quite the opposite, many submarine losses and few MM sunk, after about 6 months the trend changed.

Anyway the submarines are quite profitable in my opinion. Their cost is low, they consume little oil, and it forces the UK to have part of its fleet occupied, and to buy escorts and MM.

[ncc1701e]

I do know one thing, do not waste PP on paratroopers or anything, you need every single PP to go towards slowing the Germans. Oh and don't build armor until it arrives with at least 7 moves.

So are you disbanding the starting mechanized corps? Or, are you keeping them for ZOCs?

[AlvaroSousa]

Hmmm. In my games with Hadros we had games where we build 10 subs early and it was pretty significant damage to the UK over time.

Like strategic bombing subs are an attrition game. Early in the war it is in the German's favor. Late in the war the Allies.

So if I build 10 subs early, constantly changing lanes, spreading them out putting 2x stacks of 3 in one zone, and 4x stacks of 1 in other zones the Allies don't know which zones have what. They have to spread out the Escorts. The less escorts the more effective the subs.

If we follow history then the Axis player would only ever have 1-2 subs at sea till mid 1940, 2-3 till mid 1942. So I need to make some balances here.

Imagine if instead in 1939-1940 the Germans pounded out subs and by 1940 they had 10 and built a little less for France.

I build uboats right when I know I can't put units out for the 1940 French attack. By 1941 I have 10-11 on the map. It is crippling to the UK.

There is a sub strategy to the game. It isn't just stick them out in the North Atlantic. If you do so the UK will just pile destroyers in the middle and wipe you out.

[AlvaroSousa]

Transports....

I have been giving considerable though to transports and air power in both games.

Currently transported units have an increase to being detected and take extra damage. I think triple. Been away from WP too long working on my new game

I was considering some changes. There are OR changes not AND changes

#1 A transport fleet ending on a beach or coast (land+Sea) is automatically intercepted.
#2 A transport fleet auto retreats when attacked
#3 A transport fleet takes even MORE damage from air attacks than it is now.

So your thoughts are appreciated. It is for both games.

[sveint]

#1 A transport fleet ending on a beach or coast (land+Sea) is automatically intercepted.
#2 A transport fleet auto retreats when attacked
#3 A transport fleet takes even MORE damage from air attacks than it is now.

So your thoughts are appreciated. It is for both games.

Whatever you decide I think transported units should take massive organization losses even from failed interception attempts.
Basically any sort of combat should be highly detrimental to transported units.

[sveint]

If we follow history then the Axis player would only ever have 1-2 subs at sea till mid 1940, 2-3 till mid 1942. So I need to make some balances here.

In that case u-boats should be much much more effective.

I'm not a game designer but perhaps a massive raiding bonus if there are less than 10 escorts in the lane?

[sveint]

So are you disbanding the starting mechanized corps? Or, are you keeping them for ZOCs?

I normally keep everything but the cavalry.

The starting mechs and armor I use behind the lines on highly defensive terrain (usually rivers). Withdraw behind the infantry screen until you become desperate (usually near Moscow or the 3 cities in the south).

PS Losing Leningrad is not a huge deal, most players over-defend in the north.

[stjeand]

I am one of those people who over defend the north...why?

Because the rail automatically flips. At least in the south and center supply is "slower" but in the north...all the way to 5 hexes from Leningrad supply is barely effected.

But overall I think you need to defend the south heavily because of the ports...those provide full supply for your army basically and make rail repair speed up.

NOW if rail repair was slower and in the north half of the Baltic states had Russian gauge rail I would change but it is tough to not defend the north knowing they can be outside Leningrad quickly.

I personally feel Leningrad is pretty important for the Russians...force the Fins to be stuck and get minimal resources from Germany...but that is a personal opinion. I use the Fins as much as I can in the winters...

I do not build any armor either...but I do like to build 1 or 2 paratroopers for just in case.

I even keep the cavalry as they a quick to respond vs the Fins...a fast way to cut them off if they wander to far forward.

[ncc1701e]

I was considering some changes. There are OR changes not AND changes

#1 A transport fleet ending on a beach or coast (land+Sea) is automatically intercepted.
#2 A transport fleet auto retreats when attacked
#3 A transport fleet takes even MORE damage from air attacks than it is now.

So your thoughts are appreciated. It is for both games.

Before answering, how player is supposed to escort a transport fleet?
Does CV provide CAP to intercept enemy planes?

[AlvaroSousa]

You put ships with it. But if you move an invasion fleet close to shore where the enemy has airbases.... fairly easy pickings.

It's tough to decide what is right.

[ncc1701e]

#1 A transport fleet ending on a beach or coast (land+Sea) is automatically intercepted.
#2 A transport fleet auto retreats when attacked
#3 A transport fleet takes even MORE damage from air attacks than it is now.

About #1, automatically intercepted even if there are no operation points remaining on the other side?

[sveint]

#1 won't work, intercepted by whom?
From the defenders viewpoint it's never the correct unit that intercepts.

[AlvaroSousa]

#1 A transport fleet ending on a beach or coast (land+Sea) is automatically intercepted.
#2 A transport fleet auto retreats when attacked
#3 A transport fleet takes even MORE damage from air attacks than it is now.

About #1, automatically intercepted even if there are no operation points remaining on the other side?

I was meaning if an interception occurs it is an automatic find. Right now it is just a very high chance. I am considering #2 with certain variables to consider.

[AlvaroSousa]

#1 A transport fleet ending on a beach or coast (land+Sea) is automatically intercepted.
#2 A transport fleet auto retreats when attacked
#3 A transport fleet takes even MORE damage from air attacks than it is now.

About #1, automatically intercepted even if there are no operation points remaining on the other side?

I was meaning if an interception occurs it is an automatic find. Right now it is just a very high chance. I am considering #2 with certain variables to consider.

[ncc1701e]

#1 A transport fleet ending on a beach or coast (land+Sea) is automatically intercepted.
#2 A transport fleet auto retreats when attacked
#3 A transport fleet takes even MORE damage from air attacks than it is now.

About #1, automatically intercepted even if there are no operation points remaining on the other side?

I was meaning if an interception occurs it is an automatic find. Right now it is just a very high chance. I am considering #2 with certain variables to consider.

#2 A transport fleet auto retreats when attacked by anything? Sea and/or Air attack?