A Lemon rises in the East: SqzMyLemon (J) vs. JocMeister (A)

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Simple solution. Don't move TFs to Babeldaob. [;)]

An even simpler solution is don't play DaBabes if you enjoy anti-submarine operations as Japan. You're in for culture shock when you see the difference from stock.

Seriously though, this fuel was meant for fleet operations so there isn't another route to take. It's not a route taken that often. Once again Jocke got lucky being in the right place at the right time with a submarine, that's really what it comes down to. The DD escort proved useless. You think spotting submarines in the night phase in DaBabes will prevent an attack? I have yet to spot a single submarine during the night phase with air search. I've had Allied submarines parked outside certain bases for weeks on end and there's nothing I can do but route around them, that is Japan's key defence against submarines in Dababes, avoidance. Hunting spotted enemy submarines, you can kiss your ASW goodbye as I lose more ships attacking submarines than avoiding them. If an Allied submarine comes across a Japanese TF it will get an attack in regardless of escorts.

Some call this whining, I call it reality. My best defence against enemy submarines is avoidance, the rest is a joke.

[obvert]

My best and biggest TFs for TK/AO move at 18 knots and have AVs embedded always working night search. It most definitely helps. Most sub attacks happen n the night phase, so if they're seen by the search they might be avoided or their attack might not come off as successful. This has worked for me. All of my FP pilots in critical areas will be exp 60 search 60-70, ASW 60-70 and low naval bombing 60-70 by early 43.

I don't just use night search though. I also use day search and ASW in crucial areas like the straits near Balikpapan. I did lose more ships there than in any other area until I started sending them to Java instead. If I wanted to send fuel to Truk I would send it via Manila or Formosa. You could also route along islands via the coast and then hug the tip of New Guinea and get around it that way.

It takes a lot of micromanagement to beat the subs.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

It takes a lot of micromanagement to beat the subs.

Understood. I don't think you are understanding what I'm saying though. If an Allied sub finds a Japanese TF it will attack, spotted or otherwise. Japanese naval ASW is too weak to make a difference. I spend an incredible amount of time combating submarines, what I'm saying is in DaBabes, if they find you, you are dead...avoidance is the only defence not your ASW capabilities. Big difference.

Also, I've noticed Allied submarines operating in shallow waters have been just as hard to target as those operating in deep Ocean. Shallow water is no longer the safe haven it has been in stock. Jocke treats my ASW efforts with disdain and rightfully so, he's not afraid to operate in base hexes, shallow water or known ASW strongpoints because his losses have been minimal.

[obvert]

Any raise DL means t's harder of them to close on the TF and get into position to strike. That is where the night search helps. Maybe they toned down the affect of night search in Babes, but I've not heard that mentioned before.

If you're not doing it now, and it's the Allied subs are hitting, try it and see if something changes.

Also the naval skill of TF and ship commanders helps locate the subs, so that's an area to consider looking into if you haven't already.

[SqzMyLemon]

From what I understand, just the ASW values have been adjusted for various ships. All other aspects of ASW have not been touched. All I know is that in four years of playing this game, I've never seen my Japanese ASW perform this badly. This is a DaBabes mod that has done something to ASW so I can only base my experiences on that fact. I'm not criticizing DaBabes, I'm simply saying it has made a huge impact on Japan's ASW capabilities. Is it me? It must be, but what worked before isn't now. I do all the things you mention, I really do, but 99% of my ASW effort relies now on avoidance because with the ASW changes to Japanese naval ASW, you can't count on that being enough to defend a TF. I'll say it again, whatever you do to raise DL on enemy submarines won't necessarily translate into success if that enemy submarine finds you. It will attack and most likely hit barring a dud, regardless of your naval ASW assigned as protection. That is what I'm trying to say.

[SqzMyLemon]

I came to the conclusion last night that I really only enjoy one aspect of the game. The economy. I don't enjoy the combat anymore and would rather spend my time building bases and moving resources around. Not exactly Bushido type stuff here [:D].

I can spend hours just tinkering with TF's and routing supplies for base expansion, but thinking about combat and planning operations has zero interest for me anymore. I'm completely jaded about many aspects of combat these days. I am going to play this one out. but I think this will be my last game of WitP AE because I've just lost interest. Combat seems more like gaming the system now then just playing your opponent. I also think the spirit of the conflict has been lost in an effort to take advantage of game mechanics or to compensate for the extreme results. Play within what you perceive to be a historic sense and all you do is open yourself up to get slaughtered by a player that is basing his game play solely by exploiting the game engine. Escorts suck, use LRCAP instead; daylight bombing sucks then use night bombing instead since it's virtually unstoppable; suffering the dive then simply fly as high as possible to avoid it...etc.

I'm also tired of playing Japan. I think if I was to play one more game it would definitely have to be the Allied side. I'll gladly deal with historic production numbers compared to the futility that is Japan. It takes a special kind of player to play Japan, and I'm tired of playing the side that gets the short end.

I thought I'd just add that this isn't a rant, or a I hate the game post. I think my interest in the game has just run its course and there are enough problems with it to make it less enjoyable for me then say three years ago. I just want to get to the end game and see how my economy and production planning ends up.

[SqzMyLemon]

Every year I order myself something for Christmas. It's usually model hobby stuff and this year was no different. My order from Czechoslovakia arrived last night so my Christmas order arrived early. I got myself a photo-etch detail set for a Russian Mig 29, replacement resin wheels for a B-17 and three aircraft kits: a dual combo kit of a MIG 15, a MIG 21 and a F16 Falcon. I needed a shift from WW2 stuff. What's that gift to yourself from Santa this year?

[PaxMondo]

A new light weight, high speed, floor jack. I need one that will go down to 2.75" or lower ... found one that will go down to 2".

[obvert]

An armchair! [:D]

We have only a couch in our sitting room and if we both want to be there, well, sometimes there's not much space to spread out. So we bought each other an armchair for Christmas. But it 's really for me , as she'll still get the couch. [:)]

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

I came to the conclusion last night that I really only enjoy one aspect of the game. The economy. I don't enjoy the combat anymore and would rather spend my time building bases and moving resources around. Not exactly Bushido type stuff here [:D].

Would you be interested in assuming those responsibilities exclusively? There's a 2x2 forming in the Opponent's Wanted section. Perhaps you may find what you're looking for there?

It takes a special kind of player to play Japan

Yes. We call them masochists. [;)]

I thought I'd just add that this isn't a rant

Sure it is. [:'(] But S'OK. You've put in your time and earned your stripes. You've absolutely every right to feel the way you do.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

I came to the conclusion last night that I really only enjoy one aspect of the game. The economy. I don't enjoy the combat anymore and would rather spend my time building bases and moving resources around. Not exactly Bushido type stuff here [:D].

I think that MikeS and I fall into the same bin. It IS all about logistics. That fighting stuff is just smoke and mirrors. Battles are won by superior logisitics. [;)]

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

A new light weight, high speed, floor jack. I need one that will go down to 2.75" or lower ... found one that will go down to 2".

What's the project Tony?

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

An armchair! [:D]

We have only a couch in our sitting room and if we both want to be there, well, sometimes there's not much space to spread out. So we bought each other an armchair for Christmas. But it 's really for me , as she'll still get the couch. [:)]

There goes your cuddle time [;)]. I'm looking to get us a new dining room table and hutch this year. I'm finally starting to turn the financial corner at work and with my car being paid off in May I can finally afford to put some money into modernizing our house and furniture. We've had mostly other people's hand me downs for furniture ever since buying the house. If I stopped buying so much model stuff and concentrated on the house that wouldn't hurt either!

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

I came to the conclusion last night that I really only enjoy one aspect of the game. The economy. I don't enjoy the combat anymore and would rather spend my time building bases and moving resources around. Not exactly Bushido type stuff here [:D].

Would you be interested in assuming those responsibilities exclusively? There's a 2x2 forming in the Opponent's Wanted section. Perhaps you may find what you're looking for there?

Nah, I think I'm done with the game for awhile. As much as I complain, I still spend too much time on it and my modelling is really suffering. I get more enjoyment from building the kits yet waste so much of my free time on AE.

I have to admit some comments by Jocke and the vocal Allied majority in his AAR have me bothered as well. I have a self imposed ban on reading his AAR most times, but have popped in now and again to see how the late war is developing, as that's what I'm most worried about in my game. I won't post anything here out of respect for Erik and to not risk Op Sec in his game. I may comment more on this when their game is finished. Olorin hints at in in Erik's AAR.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

A new light weight, high speed, floor jack. I need one that will go down to 2.75" or lower ... found one that will go down to 2".

What's the project Tony?

I got T-Boned about 2 years ago, totalled my 'Stang. So, getting ready to build another. Finally rehabbed from the injuries. Gotta a couple other 'honey-do-s' to take care of first, but then I should be good. It'll be a nice Father/Son project.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

I came to the conclusion last night that I really only enjoy one aspect of the game. The economy. I don't enjoy the combat anymore and would rather spend my time building bases and moving resources around. Not exactly Bushido type stuff here [:D].

Would you be interested in assuming those responsibilities exclusively? There's a 2x2 forming in the Opponent's Wanted section. Perhaps you may find what you're looking for there?

Nah, I think I'm done with the game for awhile. As much as I complain, I still spend too much time on it and my modelling is really suffering. I get more enjoyment from building the kits yet waste so much of my free time on AE.

I have to admit some comments by Jocke and the vocal Allied majority in his AAR have me bothered as well. I have a self imposed ban on reading his AAR most times, but have popped in now and again to see how the late war is developing, as that's what I'm most worried about in my game. I won't post anything here out of respect for Erik and to not risk Op Sec in his game. I may comment more on this when their game is finished. Olorin hints at in in Erik's AAR.

I read the AFB AAR's on occassion for humor. [;)]

[SqzMyLemon]

Sounds like a good future project! I wish I had been more mechanically inclined when younger. All my friends had muscle cars except me. I had always wanted a 1968 or 1969 SS Chevelle.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Sounds like a good future project! I wish I had been more mechanically inclined when younger. All my friends had muscle cars except me. I had always wanted a 1968 or 1969 SS Chevelle.

My dad used to drag race muscle cars, and pre-me owned a new corvette every two years from 57-67! [X(] I'm still mad he didn't keep one.

My first car? He wouldn't let me get a licence until age 17 as he didn't want me 'distracted' by cars. So for HS graduation (in 1989) he bought me a 1975 Buick Skylark! [:-] Very used. It lasted three weeks before the engine blew on the way to the coast and he had to come pick me and several friends up an hour out of Portland.

After that though I did get some decent family hand-me-downs. My uncle, a life-time mechanic and my dad's racing partner, fixed up a 1972 Monte Carlo that I drove for a few years. Then my grandfather bequeathed to me his cherry 1969 sky blue Buick Wildcat! [X(]

That almost made up for missing the corvettes. It had (what I think was a custom installed) 454 ci engine and 20k miles when I got it in about 1992. Not bad for driving, but the 8 miles a gallon eventually got to be a bit too much, and it wasn't a lot of fun to try to park it in the city. Still, good memories!

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy



Would you be interested in assuming those responsibilities exclusively? There's a 2x2 forming in the Opponent's Wanted section. Perhaps you may find what you're looking for there?

Nah, I think I'm done with the game for awhile. As much as I complain, I still spend too much time on it and my modelling is really suffering. I get more enjoyment from building the kits yet waste so much of my free time on AE.

I have to admit some comments by Jocke and the vocal Allied majority in his AAR have me bothered as well. I have a self imposed ban on reading his AAR most times, but have popped in now and again to see how the late war is developing, as that's what I'm most worried about in my game. I won't post anything here out of respect for Erik and to not risk Op Sec in his game. I may comment more on this when their game is finished. Olorin hints at in in Erik's AAR.

I read the AFB AAR's on occassion for humor. [;)]

That's about right for me too, Pax. Wanna impress me? Try an invasion of Kyushu before you have 400 Divisions and Soviet Armor stampeding the Japanese. Victory through the supernumerary isn't all that impressive in my book.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Sounds like a good future project! I wish I had been more mechanically inclined when younger. All my friends had muscle cars except me. I had always wanted a 1968 or 1969 SS Chevelle.

My dad used to drag race muscle cars, and pre-me owned a new corvette every two years from 57-67! [X(] I'm still mad he didn't keep one.

My first car? He wouldn't let me get a licence until age 17 as he didn't want me 'distracted' by cars. So for HS graduation (in 1989) he bought me a 1975 Buick Skylark! [:-] Very used. It lasted three weeks before the engine blew on the way to the coast and he had to come pick me and several friends up an hour out of Portland.

After that though I did get some decent family hand-me-downs. My uncle, a life-time mechanic and my dad's racing partner, fixed up a 1972 Monte Carlo that I drove for a few years. Then my grandfather bequeathed to me his cherry 1969 sky blue Buick Wildcat! [X(]

That almost made up for missing the corvettes. It had (what I think was a custom installed) 454 ci engine and 20k miles when I got it in about 1992. Not bad for driving, but the 8 miles a gallon eventually got to be a bit too much, and it wasn't a lot of fun to try to park it in the city. Still, good memories!

My first car that I drove in HS and beyond was a 1962 Chevy Impala convertible. Dad's old 'baby'. Very popular with the Mexican-Americans in So. Cal. at the time too. [8D]