Back for the First Time – Allied AAR vs. AI - War in the Pacific: Admirals Edition

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Schlussel


It's puzzling so far, the AI has only tried once to take PM...and that was back in May. The only thing I can think of, is that one of the 12 scripts doesn't feature PM as a major target.

Exactly the case ... the non-base AI scripts are VERY different.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Didn't you massacre several troop convoys shortly after the AI's first attempt at PM? If you got the troops the AI was going to use for attempt 2 it might be stuck in "gee, what do I do now?" mode.

Hmmm, I don't recall any other convoys...I sank a few ships I thought were heading to Milne Bay, but it's entirely possible they were planning to sail right by the base and head to Port Moresby. In any event, the AI now seems to be focused on raiding my supply lines with capital ships...which has been really effective. I'd much rather the AI attrit its forces assaulting prepared positions. [:D]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Schlussel


It's puzzling so far, the AI has only tried once to take PM...and that was back in May. The only thing I can think of, is that one of the 12 scripts doesn't feature PM as a major target.

Exactly the case ... the non-base AI scripts are VERY different.

That's probably good for replay-ability. Although the more I read other's AAR's on this site, the more I am inclined to play a PBEM the next time around. Seems like there's a whole new level of strategy there.

[Mike McCreery]

Once you go PBEM you never look back ;]

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Schlussel

the more I am inclined to play a PBEM the next time around.

No question, if you have time, you should. If not, then for the AI you need to move to the Ironman series.

[Major Shane]

[/quote]
Schlussel, what program are you using to create this map image? I haven't seen it before and I think it's very helpful.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: Wargmr

Once you go PBEM you never look back ;]

Haha, that's what I hear. [:D]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Schlussel

the more I am inclined to play a PBEM the next time around.

No question, if you have time, you should. If not, then for the AI you need to move to the Ironman series.

Exactly! The time is the issue. Right now I am avergaing about 1 turn a day in this game against the AI, but thats because I do 3 or 4 turns on the weekends. I'm thinking maybe I'll start out with a smaller scenario to test the waters.

[PaxMondo]

I'm stuck on the AI due to time ... if I ever retire (yeah, right) maybe I will find time. Until then, no hope. So Ironman is as good as I will get for some time .... [:(]

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: m_shane_perkins

Schlussel, what program are you using to create this map image? I haven't seen it before and I think it's very helpful.

Thanks! I wish I had some cool program...I just used the free stuff that came with Windows 7. I found a good B&W map doing a google search and used Microsoft Paint to color in the map to my liking. Then I pasted it into Power point slide and added all the names, icons and the map key. Finally, I used the snipping tool to make it into a JPEG file that could be uploaded. The hardest part was setting it all up, now each month I just modify the prior month's map, goes pretty quick. I'm sure there are easier ways to do it, but that's my method.

If you'd like the templates I use, I'd be glad to email them to you.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

I'm stuck on the AI due to time ... if I ever retire (yeah, right) maybe I will find time. Until then, no hope. So Ironman is as good as I will get for some time .... [:(]

Yeah that's my worry, (the time, not the retirement thing...I have two kids and a mortgage, I still have a looong way to go till retirement is even an option [:D]). If I go the AI route, I'll definitely check out the Ironman mods. What version do you play? the original or nasty?

[Schlussel]

Week 31: July 8th – July 14th 1942

North Pacific:
Base building continues at Adak and Amchitka. No IJN activity in the region.

Central Pacific:
Supply routes are humming along nicely. No signs of IJN raiders.

Southern Pacific:
ASW force @ Pago-Pago attacks a sub before it can make its attack run. One hit is reported, but that’s probably not enough to sink it.

New Guinea/Solomons:
Good news and bad news this week. The good news is that I think the Kongo has sunk. The ship has disappeared and was moving way too slow to get out of PBY range. No official report of the sinking, but if I were a bettin’ man, I’d say the crew scuttled her.
Now the bad news, the Japanese send a transport TF to reinforce Milne bay. Troops were on-board because the AV of the attackers has risen from 136 to 145. Hornet and Yorktown arrive in the area a few days later and sink the TF (3-AK’s), but the troops must have all made it ashore (no casualties reported). I probably got some supply, but my anticipated deliberate attack @ Milne Bay has been postponed. I’ll wait till the 44th Aus. Brigade arrives next week before I’ll consider attempting an attack.
Phase 1 of Operation Cumberland begins, as a USMC Tank Battalion, a Marine regiment, and a Base force start the slow march through the malaria-infested jungle towards Tassafronga. To soften up the defenders, I send BC Repulse and CL Marblehead on a bombardment. I also transport some B-25’s to Lunga and set them to ground attack.

DEI/Philippines:
In the Philippines, the standoff @ Cebu continues. My forces outnumber the attackers, but lack of supply keeps me from any offensive action.
In the DEI, Sumatra is now fully in Japanese control. Japan now intensifies aerial raids on Brunei…the last Allied occupied base in the DEI.

SE Asia/China:
Recon indicates an IJA force across the river from Akyab is on the move towards the Allied base. The Japanese number about 30K…intimidating. However, Akyab has about 700 AV behind level 3 forts, should be sufficient to hold it. Plus I have another 400 AV in the hex just NE of Akyab that can reinforce quickly.

In China, I am still in defensive/supply conservation mode.

KB Watch:
-No sightings this week.



Notable Base Captures:
-Sawahloento [Sumatra] captured by Japan (7/9)
-Kangean [Java] captured by Japan (7/10)
-Sipora [Sumatra] captured by Japan (7/11)
-Rambutyo [Admiralty Is.] and Bengkalis [Sumatra] captured by Japan (7/12)
-Goodenough Island [New Guinea] captured by Allies (7/13)



Campaign Overview:
Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 1,785 [+15]
Biggest Losses (#): Dauntless (171), Buffalo (129), F4F-3 Wildcat (96)

Japanese: 3,223 [+86]
Biggest Losses (#): Betty (766), Zero (490), Val (344)


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 328 [+3]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 338 [+14]
Notables: CV Soryu, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo (suspected sunk) , CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Adoba.



Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 8,134 [+29]
Japanese: 1,930 [+5]
A/J Ratio: 4.21 to 1

VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 18,135 [+270]
Japanese: 19,266 [+117]
A/J Ratio: 0.94 to 1


Other Notes:
- Lots of my subs launched attacks against IJN shipping this week. All torpedoes either missed or failed to explode…which I have come to expect these days. However the increase in attacks is encouraging, I have my subs in the right hunting grounds, and the torps will eventually get better.

EDIT: Added Kongo to sunk ships list.

[BBfanboy]

The enemy troops at Milne Bay may have increased AV by recovery after getting some supply from the xAKs. The Japanese Amphib bonus is over so the unloading of supply from those ships was probably a few hundred tons over the three days. You should be able to destroy some with your bombardment and bombing campaign. Land bombardments are good for making them use their supply too.

Re: the notable loss lists, you are not showing Kongo yet for the IJN even though you think it is sunk? What criteria are you using to put ships on the list - the Intel Report of ship losses? Personally, I find that list too much affected by FOW/wishful allied thinking and use my own assessments. I might have an estimate of 60% ship X sank or 40% it did not, but I can use that in my operational planning : if I feel I should use worst case scenario I assume it survived and is available to the enemy and if the stakes are such that I can be optimistic I assume it is sunk and plan my naval effort accordingly.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

The enemy troops at Milne Bay may have increased AV by recovery after getting some supply from the xAKs. The Japanese Amphib bonus is over so the unloading of supply from those ships was probably a few hundred tons over the three days. You should be able to destroy some with your bombardment and bombing campaign. Land bombardments are good for making them use their supply too.

Re: the notable loss lists, you are not showing Kongo yet for the IJN even though you think it is sunk? What criteria are you using to put ships on the list - the Intel Report of ship losses? Personally, I find that list too much affected by FOW/wishful allied thinking and use my own assessments. I might have an estimate of 60% ship X sank or 40% it did not, but I can use that in my operational planning : if I feel I should use worst case scenario I assume it survived and is available to the enemy and if the stakes are such that I can be optimistic I assume it is sunk and plan my naval effort accordingly.

Great points BBF. You are probably right about the AV increase. So that means they were low on supplies before.. Hmm, maybe a CV blockade would help tip the scales... As long as the KB doesn't show up, of course. [:D]
As for the sunk ships report , you're right, the FOW does really effect it, I probably shouldn't rely on it. So I went ahead and added the Kongo to my list. I'll just annotate "suspected sunk" for clarity.

[Schlussel]

Week 32: July 15th – July 21st 1942

North Pacific:
Base building continues at Adak and Amchitka. Engineer battalion arrives @ Seattle and begins loading on transports, destination: Attu. No IJN activity in the region.

Central Pacific:
Supply routes are humming along nicely. No signs of IJN raiders.

Southern Pacific:
Quiet, no enemy sub reports lately….which may be good or bad news, depending how you look at it.

New Guinea/Solomons:
The 44th Austrailian regiment arrives at Milne Bay and now the AV is 172 to 132 in favor of the Allies. Supply stockpiles are still small (4K) but sufficient to order a deliberate attack this coming week. If the Japanese have a supply shortage, I will do my best to make it a little worse.
In the Solomons, troops continue the slow march from Lunga to Tassafronga. The going is slow as expected, my troops won’t reach their destination till the first week of August. Slow and steady…

DEI/Philippines:
In the Philippines, the standoff @ Cebu continues. My forces outnumber the attackers, but lack of supply keeps me from any offensive action.
In the DEI, Sumatra is now fully in Japanese control. Japan continues the aerial raids on Brunei…the last Allied occupied base in the DEI.

SE Asia/China:
Part of the Japanese ground force marching on Akyab reaches the base and launches a shock attack. AV is about equal, but I have level 3 forts. Results are good, I inflict about 3,000 casualties while only losing 300 of my own troops. However, there are still about 10 K enemy troops marching from the hex to the immediate east. Not sure of their composition, but I may find out sooner than later. I send two brigades (one British and one Indian) from neighboring Cox’s Bazaar to reinforce Akyab. I also have about 80 bombers (Blenheims and Mitchells) continuing to bomb the attackers, in hopes it will affect their disruption and morale. The situation at the Indian border has drawn the attention of the Japanese air force as well, and the few Hurricanes in the area are having a hard time fending off escorted bomber raids.

In China, I have decided to grab a vacant Kaoping. Troops one hex away are en route to grab the low hanging fruit.


KB Watch:
-No sightings this week.


Notable Base Captures:
-Mangole [Celebes] captured by Japan (7/17)
-Gebe [DEI] captured by Japan (7/19)


Campaign Overview:

Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 1,799 [+14]
Biggest Losses (#): Wildcat (214), Dauntless (203), Buffalo (129)

Japanese: 3,299 [+76]
Biggest Losses (#): Betty (790), Zero (480), Val (313)


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 337 [+9]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 356 [+18]
Notables: CV Soryu, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo (suspected sunk) CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Adoba.


Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 8,150 [+16]
Japanese: 1,971 [+41]
A/J Ratio: 4.13 to 1


VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 18,384 [+249]
Japanese: 19,539 [+273]
A/J Ratio: 0.94 to 1



Other Notes:
- Prince of Wales is making the long Journey from the South Pacific to Pearl Harbor for dry-dock repairs, as all local shipyards are too small.
-I noticed I was only tracking one model for Dauntless and Wildcat Losses. The jump in airframe losses was not due to this month’s losses, it was just me “fixing the glitch”.
-No IJN Carrier sightings for the third straight week which is a little worrisome. Even if it is causing havoc, there’s something comforting knowing exactly where the KB is.

[Schlussel]

Week 33: July 22nd – July 28th 1942

North Pacific:
Base building continues at Adak and Amchitka. Engineer battalion. No IJN activity in the region.

Central Pacific:
Supply routes still humming along nicely. No IJN raiders or activity.

Southern Pacific:
No IJN activity here, just the way I like it.

New Guinea/Solomons:
The battle of Milne Bay rages on, with both sides committing substantial air assets to try to gain the upper hand. The Japanese are taking the higher losses, but the pressure they have applied has been constant….I have had already had to rotate out two Airacobra squadrons because they had no usable planes left. On the ground, AV is nearly equal and both sides are too skittish to order a frontal assault, so bombarding has been the norm.
In the Solomons, troops continue their march from Lunga to Tassafronga. Lead elements (6th Marine Rgt.) should arrive in about 3 days, but an assault will probably have to wait until the following week when the main body arrives.

DEI/Philippines:
In the Philippines, the standoff @ Cebu continues. My forces outnumber the attackers, but lack of supply keeps me from any offensive action.
In the DEI, Japan captures a few un-garrisoned dot bases, and continues the aerial raids on Brunei…the last Allied occupied base in the DEI.

SE Asia/China:
The rest of the Japanese forces arrive to assault Akyab, and the Japanese AV is now over 1,100. I only have about 850 but I have found there is more to a battle than just AV. I have level 3 forts and combat troops led by some of the best officers the UK has to offer. The only issue now is supply, my plan to unload @ Madras and hope supply would flow across India to Calcutta-Chittagong-Akyab is not working as intended. There is about 250K supply just sitting at Madras. Calcutta is receiving some supply, but only about 3x of their “need” level, so the excess is not flowing down to the frontline where it is needed. To temporarily fix the situation, I have formed a supply convoy in Colombo with a CV escort, hopefully the CAP will keep the Bettys away.
In China have amassed forces and excess supply in the Central front (near Changsha) with the goal of taking the railroad that runs North from Changsha to Chengchow. The hope here is that it will help improve the supply situation in the North. To accomplish this, forces are marching on Hankow, Wuchow, and Chengchow.



KB Watch:
-No sightings this week.



Notable Base Captures:
-Kaoping [China] captured by Allies (7/24)
-Kofiaw [New Guinea] captured by Japan (7/28)
-Batoe-Eilanden [Sumatra] captured by Japan (7/28)




Campaign Overview:
Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 1,823 [+24]
Biggest Losses (#): Wildcat (215), Dauntless (214), Buffalo (129)

Japanese: 3,424 [+125]
Biggest Losses (#): Betty (764), Zero (548), Val (324)


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 337 [+0]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 383 [+27]
Notables: CV Soryu, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo (suspected sunk), CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Adoba.


Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 8,169 [+19]
Japanese: 2,007 [+36]
A/J Ratio: 4.07 to 1


VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 18,867 [+483]
Japanese: 19,592 [+53]
A/J Ratio: 0.96 to 1


Other Notes:
-Sub war is going a little better. The “Hit but no explosion” message had its usual frequency, but my subs still managed to sink 5 TK’s near the home islands.
-My SBD Dauntlesses based at Lunga are making the Japanese pay a hefty price to keep their troops at Tassafronga and Tulagi supplied. This week I had 15 confirmed AK/AP sinkings in the immediate area.

[Schlussel]

Week 34: July 29th – August 4th 1942

North Pacific:
Base building continues at Adak and Amchitka. No IJN activity in the region.

Central Pacific:
Supply routes still humming along nicely. No IJN raiders or activity.

Southern Pacific:
IJN sub shows up again near Pago-Pago. ASW forces react but are unable to score any hits. At least the sub was discovered before it could make an attack run.

New Guinea/Solomons:
Milne Bay remains a stalemate, AV is 170 to 165, slightly in favor of the Allies. Bombers from both sides continue to make their presence felt. I’m not sure the effect of my bombing missions, but the Japanese air attacks have increased the disruption of my combat units to around 25. Currently I’m resting my ground forces, the goal is to reduce disruption so that I can string together a few deliberate attacks next week to test the Japanese defenses.
In the Solomons, my troops arrive at Tassafronga and evict the Japanese after three days of deliberate attacks. Work immediately begins on expanding the airfield to support the next move in the Solomons.
At sea, a surface TF consisting of BB’s Haruna, BB Yamishiro + DD escorts raid the Allied supply line between Noumea and Sydney. They surprise and sink CL Nashville along with 2 TK’s loaded with fuel. Dauntlesses from Noumea strike back and sink one of the escorting DDs and hit each BB a few times, but it looks like no significant battleship damage was inflicted (all were armor belt hits).

DEI/Philippines:
In the Philippines, the standoff @ Cebu continues. My forces outnumber the attackers, but lack of supply keeps me from any offensive action.
In the DEI, Japan continues the aerial raids on Brunei…no invasion force spotted yet, but I’m sure it’s coming.

SE Asia/China:
Some good news in Burma, the Japanese launch 3 or 4 deliberate attacks on Akyab this week, but the defenses hold and inflict almost 10K casualties on the attackers. Forts are down from 3 to 1, but the Japanese combat units have been mauled enough to put deliberate attacks on hold for the time being. However, 3 more Japanese LCUs are spotted heading towards Akyab, so the attack may be renewed sooner than I hoped. Engineers are working feverishly to rebuild the forts. Most importantly, the supply convoy has arrived safe and sound @ Akyab. Supply is offloading and the CAP has succeeded (so far) in keeping the Japanese bombers at bay.
In China the limited Allied offensive stalls due to increased supply usage and LCU disruption. Despite having a huge AV advantage, the poor quality Chinese units can’t press home their advantage. I’m amazed how disrupted/fatigued the Chinese units get when they attack. In light of these developments, allied units switch to a defensive posture to conserve supply.



KB Watch:
-2 CV’s spotted anchored in Hollandia (8/4)



Notable Base Captures:
-Pagai-Eilanden [Sumatra] captured by Japan (8/2)
-Tassafronga [Solomon Islands] captured by Allies (8/3)




Campaign Overview:
Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 1,857 [+34]
Biggest Losses (#): Wildcat (220), Dauntless (215), Buffalo (129)

Japanese: 3,583 [+159]
Biggest Losses (#): Zero (586), Betty (534), Kate (347)


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 340 [+3]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 395 [+12]
Notables: CV Soryu, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo, CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Adoba.


Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 8,199 [+30]
Japanese: 2,534 [+527]
A/J Ratio: 3.23 to 1


VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 19,677 [+810]
Japanese: 19,762 [+170]
A/J Ratio: 1.00 to 1



Other Notes:
-BB Kongo shows up on the ’sunk ships’ list, confirming my suspicions.
-Dauntlesses of the Cactus airforce based at Lunga sink 10-15 AK’s near Tulagi. The area is definitely a target rich environment.
-Cumberland Phase 1 is not even a week old and one of the three goals has been achieved. Now comes the hard part, as the area around Port Moresby is much more active with Japanese aircraft. The Terapo invasion is embarking soon, but it will require some CV escort to keep the Bettys at bay.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Schlussel

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

I'm stuck on the AI due to time ... if I ever retire (yeah, right) maybe I will find time. Until then, no hope. So Ironman is as good as I will get for some time .... [:(]

Yeah that's my worry, (the time, not the retirement thing...I have two kids and a mortgage, I still have a looong way to go till retirement is even an option [:D]). If I go the AI route, I'll definitely check out the Ironman mods. What version do you play? the original or nasty?

Nasty, Nasty ... enhanced. I've taken Andy's version and then added a bunch more items for the allies (I play IJ) beginning in '45. I also tweeked some planes for them as well (P39 uses 20mm instead of 37mm, P51's all come into the game earlier by 6 - 12 months)
Then, I've also added a number of scripts to the AI from '43 onwards. Just fleshing out Andy's ideas a bit more. The new AI editor is a life saver.

[PaxMondo]

Given where you are in the game, you should open up the AI side and check supply ... particularly on islands. Don't be surprised to find it missing and if so, you need to run 4 5 turns on VH difficulty to allow aupply to accumulate.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Schlussel

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

I'm stuck on the AI due to time ... if I ever retire (yeah, right) maybe I will find time. Until then, no hope. So Ironman is as good as I will get for some time .... [:(]

Yeah that's my worry, (the time, not the retirement thing...I have two kids and a mortgage, I still have a looong way to go till retirement is even an option [:D]). If I go the AI route, I'll definitely check out the Ironman mods. What version do you play? the original or nasty?

Nasty, Nasty ... enhanced. I've taken Andy's version and then added a bunch more items for the allies (I play IJ) beginning in '45. I also tweeked some planes for them as well (P39 uses 20mm instead of 37mm, P51's all come into the game earlier by 6 - 12 months)
Then, I've also added a number of scripts to the AI from '43 onwards. Just fleshing out Andy's ideas a bit more. The new AI editor is a life saver.

[X(]
So when I was whining about upping my difficulty to VHard a couple days a week, you were just rolling your eyes, weren't you? [:D]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Given where you are in the game, you should open up the AI side and check supply ... particularly on islands. Don't be surprised to find it missing and if so, you need to run 4 5 turns on VH difficulty to allow aupply to accumulate.

Good idea. I went ahead and checked as you suggested...everything looks good, HI has 1.8 mill supply and the only island that has a 'low supply' exclamation point is Tulagi, but I'm pretty sure that's cause the Cactus air force has been sinking anything with a rudder that ventures near the Slot.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Schlussel

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Schlussel




Yeah that's my worry, (the time, not the retirement thing...I have two kids and a mortgage, I still have a looong way to go till retirement is even an option [:D]). If I go the AI route, I'll definitely check out the Ironman mods. What version do you play? the original or nasty?

Nasty, Nasty ... enhanced. I've taken Andy's version and then added a bunch more items for the allies (I play IJ) beginning in '45. I also tweeked some planes for them as well (P39 uses 20mm instead of 37mm, P51's all come into the game earlier by 6 - 12 months)
Then, I've also added a number of scripts to the AI from '43 onwards. Just fleshing out Andy's ideas a bit more. The new AI editor is a life saver.

[X(]
So when I was whining about upping my difficulty to VHard a couple days a week, you were just rolling your eyes, weren't you? [:D]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Given where you are in the game, you should open up the AI side and check supply ... particularly on islands. Don't be surprised to find it missing and if so, you need to run 4 5 turns on VH difficulty to allow aupply to accumulate.

Good idea. I went ahead and checked as you suggested...everything looks good, HI has 1.8 mill supply and the only island that has a 'low supply' exclamation point is Tulagi, but I'm pretty sure that's cause the Cactus air force has been sinking anything with a rudder that ventures near the Slot.

No eye rolls here ... I've been playing for a while....

Supply: HI with only 1.8M isn't terrible, but not great. The fact that no other islands (excepting one in contention) is low though suggests that you are running VH often enough, so good.

So now here's a couple of other things about the AI scripting:
1. The AI plays far more historically than most players. Yes, it does (to those that object). The "KB" is generally represented by no more than 4 fleet carriers ... just as it was for most of the war. This means that it also has a lot of 1 - 2 carrier units, also quite common in the war.
2. Ditto for surface units in terms of size. More than 3 - 4 capital ships is rare. 1 - 3 capital ship TF's are the norm, again quite historical.

So, if you want to play either 'fair' or historical, then size your TF's the same way. That will put the fights more even and allow the AI to last longer. You win on attrition, just takes longer. If you concentrate, you win faster as the AI scripts will start failing earlier.

Early sign that AI scripts are starting to fail: damaged ships in new TF's.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
No eye rolls here ... I've been playing for a while....

Supply: HI with only 1.8M isn't terrible, but not great. The fact that no other islands (excepting one in contention) is low though suggests that you are running VH often enough, so good.

So now here's a couple of other things about the AI scripting:
1. The AI plays far more historically than most players. Yes, it does (to those that object). The "KB" is generally represented by no more than 4 fleet carriers ... just as it was for most of the war. This means that it also has a lot of 1 - 2 carrier units, also quite common in the war.
2. Ditto for surface units in terms of size. More than 3 - 4 capital ships is rare. 1 - 3 capital ship TF's are the norm, again quite historical.

So, if you want to play either 'fair' or historical, then size your TF's the same way. That will put the fights more even and allow the AI to last longer. You win on attrition, just takes longer. If you concentrate, you win faster as the AI scripts will start failing earlier.

Early sign that AI scripts are starting to fail: damaged ships in new TF's.

The TF size sounds like a great idea, plus for me it satisfies two goals I have in this campaign:

1.Play (relatively) historically.

2.Get a good challenge from the AI.


I think I'll do the supply check you suggested every couple months just to make sure the AI stays competitive. It is mostly just a scan for base exclamation points though, as I want to maintain as much FOW as possible.

Thanks again for your insight Pax.