PDU Off

[cantona2]

Fletcher and I are playing PDU off in our Historical game and as an AFB I am enjoying the challenge of managing the different types. Having a good undersanding of the upgrade paths of your front line units is indispensable for PDU off to work. As bradfordkay says some units 'downgrade' on an upgrade before they can receive newr, better planes. TBH I love PDU off

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

If I understand this correctly, then, the ability of the Japanese player to accelerate research and production of more advanced aircraft is a locked feature of the game. It can't be "turned off."

Okay, thanks for the tutoring here, Bullwinkle. I was using the wrong terms and misunderstood the game engine in some respects.

To extend this a bit, there IS an R&D switch in the set-ups. See Section 2.4.8. It is somewhat (minimally?) entwined with Japanese aircraft production capabilities, and could go a bit to addressing your concerns about an early uber Japanese air effort. I've never seen much discussion of that switch here; focus is usually on PDU On or Off.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: ChezDaJez

Personally I think it hamstrings the allied player more early in the war and then beginning around early 1943, it greatly hamstrings the Japanese player far more. I'll still be sending up A6Ms against Hellcats and Corsairs as they come on line.

We try to stay historical and PDU makes it easier to do so. It is not a great benefit otherwise. I would not recommend it for any one who wants to explore "what ifs" or play a bit more ahistorically.

Chez

Interesting, but perhaps unsurprising. The Thunderbolt and Mustang -D model were exponential improvements over second-gen Allied fighters, while my perception of the Japanese progression is it was more linear in specification improvement. As fewer players have gotten or ever get to 1944 it might be more of a forum truism that PDU Off is a bad thing for the Allies. Endlessly re-playing 1942 in successive games might tend to skew perceptions.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: bradfordkay

The difference is that I cannot switch the aircraft between the permanently restricted squadrons and those in the combat theaters the way you can with PDU on.

I hear ya. Even in the late summer of 1943 I call my West Coast "The Dog Pound." Still flying Texans and Lancers as trainers last I looked. (Note to self--re-look SOON.) I think I ditched my last Bolos (doing ASW duty) around May 1943.

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: bradfordkay

The difference is that I cannot switch the aircraft between the permanently restricted squadrons and those in the combat theaters the way you can with PDU on.

I hear ya. Even in the late summer of 1943 I call my West Coast "The Dog Pound." Still flying Texans and Lancers as trainers last I looked. (Note to self--re-look SOON.) I think I ditched my last Bolos (doing ASW duty) around May 1943.

Amen!

[wildweasel0585]

thanks for the explanation. I've never really understood the effects of PDU either.