Matrix Games Forums

The rules of auto convoys:

1) NEVER EVER USE AUTOCONVOYS!
2) If in doubt, see rule number 1.

Set up CS convoys, never let the computer do any of your moves, including submarines.

MSUjohn wrote: Wed Dec 21, 2022 8:40 pm 12 years later,

hello everyone! i have been playing the game for about three weeks now (or attempting to play) and this is my first post on this site.

to set up an auto convoy, i just dump a ton of cargo and tankers into San Fransisco and Colombo, right?
what about dumping unused destroyers as escorts?

Welcome aboard noob! I'm glad to see you were researching past discussions, but resurrecting an 8 year old thread is kind of frowned upon. After six months or so they are considered necro-threads and you should just create your own thread to ask your question. Reason is that there is a whole lot of irrelevant material in the old thread that reader have to plow through to get to your question.

And if you haven't heard it yet, you need to make a number of posts (I forget if it is 5 or 10) before you are allowed to post pictures/graphic images. So hang in there and comment your way up to 10 posts.

BBfanboy wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 3:51 am

MSUjohn wrote: Wed Dec 21, 2022 8:40 pm 12 years later,

hello everyone! i have been playing the game for about three weeks now (or attempting to play) and this is my first post on this site.

to set up an auto convoy, i just dump a ton of cargo and tankers into San Fransisco and Colombo, right?
what about dumping unused destroyers as escorts?

Welcome aboard noob! I'm glad to see you were researching past discussions, but resurrecting an 8 year old thread is kind of frowned upon. After six months or so they are considered necro-threads and you should just create your own thread to ask your question. Reason is that there is a whole lot of irrelevant material in the old thread that reader have to plow through to get to your question.

And if you haven't heard it yet, you need to make a number of posts (I forget if it is 5 or 10) before you are allowed to post pictures/graphic images. So hang in there and comment your way up to 10 posts.

I didn't need to plow through anything to for the answer that I gave him. Unlike those people that I have seen with those large, movable front bumpers that help to push deer off of the road.

RangerJoe wrote: Wed Dec 21, 2022 9:09 pm The rules of auto convoys:

1) NEVER EVER USE AUTOCONVOYS!
2) If in doubt, see rule number 1.

Set up CS convoys, never let the computer do any of your moves, including submarines.

i posted that i have been playing only for a few weeks. i can't even do a lot of the basics yet. i have no clue how to set up a constant supply convoy.

the autoconvoy does not seem to be working.

MSUjohn wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 7:26 am

RangerJoe wrote: Wed Dec 21, 2022 9:09 pm The rules of auto convoys:

1) NEVER EVER USE AUTOCONVOYS!
2) If in doubt, see rule number 1.

Set up CS convoys, never let the computer do any of your moves, including submarines.

i posted that i have been playing only for a few weeks. i can't even do a lot of the basics yet. i have no clue how to set up a constant supply convoy.

the autoconvoy does not seem to be working.

CS is continous supply and is explained here in the new manual 6.2.11 Routine Convoys and Computer-Controlled TF’s.

It's simple:
1. Create TF
2. Set destination including any waypoints
3. Change Human Control to CS control circled in blue

I should add that I rarely create a convoy that cannot fit into either port but this is particular inportanat with destination ports as they are normally smaller. This speeds unloading time. Which anything automatic you do need to keep an eye on them, They will refuel, load and unload stuff but they won't go into port for repair other than minot stuff that can be repaired dockside while loading/unloading. They will also obey TF routing controls but care is needed here.

Also, don't forget to escort your convoys.

As Japan, you should have lot of cheap PB-class ships etc, later E-class (E-class are quite good).

Even escorts that do not have ASW weapons help, since they prevent enemy subs attacking on surface.

MSUjohn wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 7:26 am

RangerJoe wrote: Wed Dec 21, 2022 9:09 pm The rules of auto convoys:

1) NEVER EVER USE AUTOCONVOYS!
2) If in doubt, see rule number 1.

Set up CS convoys, never let the computer do any of your moves, including submarines.

i posted that i have been playing only for a few weeks. i can't even do a lot of the basics yet. i have no clue how to set up a constant supply convoy.

the autoconvoy does not seem to be working.

The easiest example of a CS convoy that I can think of and I know that I had posted this before is to take an xAKL or two at Oahu, assign a PC or two to the task force for an escort, then send it to Hilo. Once at Hilo, dock the task force (TF) and start it loading resources, set the destination to Oahu. Set the routing to Coastal for this convoy so it will stay in the shallows. This is in case of a submarine attack, the submarine can't dive too deep and it is easier for the escort to damage and destroy. The reason for sending it to Hilo and starting the convoy there is so you can adjust the convoy to return with supplies as is needed. Since Hilo will not always need supplies but Oahu needs resources constantly, this is the best way to set it up.

You might want to start bookmarking certain links such as this one:

Tender and Support/Auxillary Ship Guide

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 4#p2777354

This thread has a lot of useful information because a beginner asked questions:

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 9#p4750709

Just one point that RJ did not specifically mention - you need to set the home port for those xAKLs to Hilo in order for the game to understand that the CS convoys starts from there.

thanks everyone!

noob question, is LA to the east coast of Australia to far for tanker convoys?

MSUjohn wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 4:28 pm thanks everyone!

noob question, is LA to the east coast of Australia to far for tanker convoys?

No. For your convoys, set up way stations, or pit stops or whatever you want to call them. Usually, they are called way points in your routing but those do not have to be bases. These are places to set up your route and if they happen to be at a base with fuel, you can set your convoys to refuel. The escorts can also rearm if you have the correct kind of support vessel or the naval base is at a high enough level. You can either leave tankers and/or oilers there, or offload fuel for the ships. If there is air support there, then flying boats and float planes can fly naval search from the port. If the airbase is built up enough for the type of aircraft, then land based planes can fly naval search.

If you are just learning the game, I suggest that you try the Coral Sea scenario a few times, both sides at least once. Then move on to the Guadalcanal scenario and try that a few times, both sides at least once. There you will understand the meaning of "Operation Shoestring" for what it was for supplies, units, and equipment!

BBfanboy wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 2:04 pm Just one point that RJ did not specifically mention - you need to set the home port for those xAKLs to Hilo in order for the game to understand that the CS convoys starts from there.

That is true. My error.

...and also don't forget:

CS convoys work for both sides.
Return cargos if any.

Chris21wen wrote: Fri Dec 23, 2022 6:57 am ...and also don't forget:

CS convoys work for both sides.
Return cargos if any.

thats what i am worried about.

let's say i want to send a fuel convoy from Los Angeles to fiji, there dump all the carried fuel and return empty to LA.
1. do i sent the CS convoy's homeport to LA or Fiji?
2. how do i set it to just dump everything in fiji and return empty?

MSUjohn wrote: Fri Dec 23, 2022 8:50 pm
thats what i am worried about.

let's say i want to send a fuel convoy from Los Angeles to fiji, there dump all the carried fuel and return empty to LA.
1. do i sent the CS convoy's homeport to LA or Fiji?
2. how do i set it to just dump everything in fiji and return empty?

1. & 2. You create CS convoy in port where you want to send things from. In this case LA. Since you are sending fuel, it is probably tankers (TK). They will dump everything in their destination automatically and return.

There is option to load stuff for return trip, but you need to set that manually. So you don't need to do that in this case.

It'd not be relevant with fuel convoy, but e.g. with supply convoy, one might want to bring back resources etc. if destination has excess of those and they are useful for home port.

RangerJoe wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 4:44 pm

BBfanboy wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 2:04 pm Just one point that RJ did not specifically mention - you need to set the home port for those xAKLs to Hilo in order for the game to understand that the CS convoys starts from there.

That is true. My error.

Oldsmobile? Looks like Russian disinformation!