Matrix Games Forums

I mean how best to use in battle? For garrison or other purpose, I myself understand.

ORIGINAL: Edward75

Are Japanese Divisions better to Rebuild or keep separate units?

In almost every circumstance it is better to rebuild units into larger units.

Some of the benefits include

- Some rebuilt units have better equipment. For example, some infantry brigades can be combined into divisions and as a result get some artillery guns.
- Combined units tend to fare better in combat than their equivalent parts left uncombined. The "whole is greater than the sum of its parts".
- The dev responsible for the ground combat aspect of the game has stated that the combat model tends to treat regimental and brigade sized units very harshly.
- Larger units tend to be more robust.

- Combined units tend to fare better in combat than their equivalent parts left uncombined. The "whole is greater than the sum of its parts".
- The dev responsible for the ground combat aspect of the game has stated that the combat model tends to treat regimental and brigade sized units very harshly.

This may be the case when the units are used separately, but when combined in the same hex they perform as well as a combined unit. The Dev reference that I read said they operate to within 2% of one another.

I'm having a ton of trouble loading and unloading on small islands. For example, I'm trying to move an engineering unit to Midway and am getting a message on the ops report that the unit can't fully unload. Does that mean in the turn, or ever?

Also, I've now sent 2 fleets to pick up the unit that starts at Diego Garcia, and despite both indicating they have the troop and cargo space, neither could transport the unit. Some AKLs I now have trying to pick up the fragment are only getting one 6 inch gun each.

For what its worth, the fleets for Diego Garcia can dock, the fleet at Midway can not.

You need naval support squads at midway to load them up with the heavy equipment. At Diego Garcia, maybe larger ships....GP

ORIGINAL: brian800000


I'm having a ton of trouble loading and unloading on small islands. For example, I'm trying to move an engineering unit to Midway and am getting a message on the ops report that the unit can't fully unload. Does that mean in the turn, or ever?

Also, I've now sent 2 fleets to pick up the unit that starts at Diego Garcia, and despite both indicating they have the troop and cargo space, neither could transport the unit. Some AKLs I now have trying to pick up the fragment are only getting one 6 inch gun each.

For what its worth, the fleets for Diego Garcia can dock, the fleet at Midway can not.

At Midway, break your TF into multiple TFs that are small enough to dock. Consult the base screen to see what the maximum tonnage docked is and the maximum size individual ship. e.g. for a Level 2 Port it would be 12,000 total, 9,000 largest ship. Note that this is ship displacement tonnage, not the cargo capacity tonnage. Look at the right side of individual ship screens to get that.

If a ship is too large to dock, take it to another base with a large enough port and unload the large item. Then try loading that item on a smaller ship that can dock at Midway and send it there.

If something still gives the message "could not unload", leave it up to 3 consecutive days (if it is safe to linger). Some things will in fact unload over a period of days. Otherwise, build the port larger or bring in naval support.

BTW, in my first time playing the game I tried moving the 6" guns at Addu and Diego Garcia and made all the mistakes - too large a ship to dock, not enough naval support, etc. So when the port tried to load the guns (via abstracted "lighters") they kept dropping them in the water. It took me lots of experimenting to figure out how to get it done and I ended up losing 4 of the six guns. But I learned a lot about loading and unloading large items! [:D]

ORIGINAL: brian800000

Also, I've now sent 2 fleets to pick up the unit that starts at Diego Garcia, and despite both indicating they have the troop and cargo space, neither could transport the unit. Some AKLs I now have trying to pick up the fragment are only getting one 6 inch gun each.

Depends from what type of ships those fleets are made. Combat Ships will load only in Fast Transport TF. Also, if there is some supply on-board it may prevent ships from loading, you have first to unload. And lastly - you have to create right type of TF. Transport only load LCU in strat mode.

Would it be better to just form amphibious task forces and unload over the beach? (if a level 1 port without naval support)

ORIGINAL: brian800000

Would it be better to just form amphibious task forces and unload over the beach? (if a level 1 port without naval support)

Always.

Never use a Transport TF to make deliveries to level 1 ports, unless its just supply you are delivering.

Even level 2 ports can't handle devices like radar.

My limited experience post - Early on as IJ, I still amphib everything that has anything to do with troops or supply to forward areas. I'm only 2/15/42, but often I don't know what changes may be needed en route and units are generally in combat mode anyway. This does complicate units shipping into China, but... I am always seeking further enlightenment beyond my dull bulb.

Question on using dot bases and AVs to service patrol planes...

I'm planning on doing this, but confused where the supply will come from to keep the patrol planes operating. Does that need to be dumped at the dot base as well?

Load your tenders at your port. Then send them to the dot base and disband. Make sure that you set the TF to "Do not unload". Then fly in your float planes....GP

ORIGINAL: brian800000

Question on using dot bases and AVs to service patrol planes...

I'm planning on doing this, but confused where the supply will come from to keep the patrol planes operating. Does that need to be dumped at the dot base as well?

The aircraft will use the supply of the AV/AVP/AVD. You must occasionally restock- the tender. I am not sure it can load supply from a dot base. It would not be hard to send in a full tender to replace the nearly empty one, and take the latter back to re-stock.

Unless I'm missing something, AVs don't have cargo capacity...am I missing something? Specifically, AV Curtiss.

ORIGINAL: brian800000

Unless I'm missing something, AVs don't have cargo capacity...am I missing something? Specifically, AV Curtiss.

They sure do. Open up the ship screen and select load tenders in the lower right. Click and you will see it fill. How much it fills depends on the port. Also look closely and the screen for the Curtis. You'll see it has cargo cap in the right side column....GP

Per btd64, AVs do have cargo capacity and a few will even carry a few seaplanes on board. Curtiss is not one of them.

If your auxiliaries are disbanded in port, there is a button/hypertext that says "Replenish Tenders" that will load supply on most tenders (except ARs which carry none) and load fuel on AOs. The amount depends on what's available, port size + naval support (controls the amount that can be handled), and operations points (1000 per phase minus any used for other things).

You can also put your Auxiliary ships in a Support TF and dock it, and order it to load supply (but load AOs with fuel in their own replenishment TF and then merge them with the support TF if you want them to travel with the same escort). The advantage of docking them to do this is you get to load in both phases so you can fill up sooner. If you are not sending the Aux. ships anywhere yet, you can just set the TF to Auto-disband and it will do so when finished loading all ships.

I still haven’t totally figured out this av thing: when you mention that Curtis “isn’t one of them” this means it can’t carry supply?

Three brand new questions.

I have read that you can sweep mines from 1 hex away. How do you do this? Maybe set them to sweep one hex away with a remain on station order and max react of 1?

I’ve also read that one you get to airfield level 8, the effect of aviation support is doubled. Is this right?

And also at a certain level aviation support becomes “infinite “. Ie, 280 aviation support planes at a level 9 airbase can support every plane in the universe? (Maybe 140 based on the question above this one)

Maybe of interest to some, just got back from a 3 week trip to Manila and Tokyo for work. Took a day and walked 46 miles in Bataan (was planning to hike up the west coast of the peninsula and then the path of the Bataan death march over 2 days, but this was 80 miles and after day one concluded I’d enough walking). Really interesting: the sun is quite strong. The museums in the Philippines and japan seem to have different perspectives as well.[;)]

ORIGINAL: brian800000
I still haven’t totally figured out this av thing: when you mention that Curtis “isn’t one of them” this means it can’t carry supply?
what BB meant was that Curtis cannot operate planes while at sea (="carry planes" in BB terms). Very few Allied AVs can. Contrary to Japan where every AV can fly FPs at sea.

Three brand new questions.

I have read that you can sweep mines from 1 hex away. How do you do this? Maybe set them to sweep one hex away with a remain on station order and max react of 1?
Remain on station is enough. Be advised, that minesweepers will physically go to that next hex to sweep the mines. And suffer from enemy CDs if those are present to defend the minefields.

I’ve also read that one you get to airfield level 8, the effect of aviation support is doubled. Is this right?
Yes

And also at a certain level aviation support becomes “infinite “. Ie, 280 aviation support planes at a level 9 airbase can support every plane in the universe? (Maybe 140 based on the question above this one)
No, level 9 airbase gives you inlimited # of airgroups without overstacking penalties on coordination and flying. The old WITP had that feature with infinite air support I recall. No more

The Langley and the Wright are the only American AVs with a Capacity to carry floatplanes.

They each have a capacity for 4 planes.

The Dutch have 2 or 3 very small, very short legged AVs with a capacity of 1. Arend class IIRC.


All AVs, AVPs and AVDs have cargo capacities necessary to serve as floatplane tenders, but only the few listed above have capacities to carry and operate floatplanes while under way.

These ships don't need to be at a base to operate the floatplanes. They operate like the Japanese floatplane carriers.

You will see these ships listed as bieing unable to operate their floatplanes in inclementg weather...the flash messages you get during the air phases.

Something just isn't right...for the Curtis (and other AVs), I click the load tender button only to get the message "unable to load tender" - the curtiss is in PH if that makes a difference). In the list of active ships, it shows "0" as the cargo capacity. I tried putting it in both a 1 ship cargo and support task force and in neither case can i load supplies. The case is the same for other AVs and AVPs--i'm singling out the Curtis just to have a clean example.

I'm using the latest beta patch if that makes a difference.

This isn't a big deal--I can live without the AVs and AVPs. It is odd though...

One more question... I'm playing the Japan AI, and suspect I will achieve auto victory at the first opportunity. Can I keep playing after that? I'd like to stand in Tokyo.