Advice on Japanese Strategy

[Klydon]

It is a tough decision for Japan as far as the O-Chit goes. If they can effectively crack/cripple China, then it is hard to not use it for that. They can build one before the general war, but they generally need to decide if they are going to do so in 1940 before the embargo starts up. It hurts to do it from a gearing standpoint of view because if they do an O-Chit, they are doing little else. The issue is if they wait until later, then it may be tough to ever get one done until the general war starts up and they can get the oil for it.

One general note about Japan with an O-Chit. Having the threat of using an O-Chit against the US is a powerful thing. Not having an O-Chit means the US can take certain liberties, knowing the Japanese can't respond as effectively.

[Numdydar]

Then it seems like it would be best to build one as early as possible so the gearing limits would be less impacted correct?

[Ur_Vile_WEdge]

Problem is, you probably want to build a bunch of ships early. You're going to have a huge naval war come late mid 42 at the latest, and a new carrier takes 2 years to build.

If you want to have say, the Hiyo and Junyo ready to face the Americans from the outset, you'll need to lay them down on the first few turns. Do you want a synth plant or 2? That's 8 build points and 6 turns each. Even a transport takes a year to complete. And you'll need more land units if you want to keep pressing in China, or to threaten the Soviets with.

The problem is that unless you're really willing to sink it in China, the O-Chit doesn't have much immediate use.

[Centuur]

I don't ever buy an offensive chit with the Japanese. Far, far to expensive. I rather have a couple of carriers, more NAV, the long range FTR's and a lot of land units in China instead. Especially with the unified map, you need more boots on the floor in China, if you want to conquer the place. Sure, it might seem good to use the offensive chit in China, but only if by doing so, you can conquer the place. If not, it is a waste of valuable resources.

[Klydon]

O-Chits are expensive for a reason. The other issue with them would be that it is much harder to judge the benefits of having a O-Chit vs the material you could build with the points.

One of the intangibles with having a O-chit (not necessarily using it) is the effect it has on your opponents strategy simply because you have one.

The Germans are going to pay far more attention to the CW after they have a O-Chit, marines and some amphibs than if they just had the marines and amphibs. The reason is the threat of a super combined could see large numbers of CW troops invade multiple places in France on a single impulse.

The Hiyo and Junyo are sort of a mixed bag. Yes, they are 2 capacity carriers, but their slow speed is also a pretty big handicap. I have found myself using them on the eastern side in the IO where they face little opposition from the CW, but help provide air assets. I think they are of limited use for the Japanese against the US in the early going simply because they are going to be in a lower sea box compared to the rest of the fleet available. I am not saying it isn't a good idea to build them, but that their value may not be as high as one may think. Certainly the carriers that become available in 1941 are far better.

BTW, I do think the Japanese should consider building a O-Chit regardless if they don't use one in China. I think it is a given they will use their existing chit for when they open the war up for a super combined. They then have one in reserve that will affect Allied strategy.

[paulderynck]

One way to get an extra O-chit without taking almost all of one turn's production it to save a few BPs each turn towards it. Longer process but less painful.

[WarHunter]

The O-chit would not be as precious were there 2. Even if China was on the ropes. I would not use the precious. [:-]

Japan building an O-chit is equal to Finishing the Zuikaku, Shokaku, and Yamato, starting construction of the Musashi. or Building 5 infantry. or Building 15CVp's.

If anyone plays Japan and buys a 2nd O-chit. Please let us know how that worked out for you.