What's your Strategy?
https://forums.matrixgames.com:443/
Thanks. Just like real life! [:D][:D]ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
In the first six months you will get lots of false Intel reports on IJ subs everywhere. To help winnow out the chaff, I ignore single listings in the Intel Report (oil slick, object below surface, etc.) unless there is an actual attack made on the target hex or a line in the Ops Report says a sub is detected in the same or adjacent hex.
ORIGINAL: Mundy
Don't be swift and merciful.
So after I nuke Hiroshima and Nagasaki , he'll create a monster that destroys Tokyo? [X(][X(][:D][:D]ORIGINAL: Zorch
The Gorn is modding the game so he can build Godzilla after the Allies drop the A-Bomb.
So much for the other plan. It was at this point the Gorn conceived of the other, other plan. This was the turning point...ORIGINAL: AW1Steve
So after I nuke Hiroshima and Nagasaki , he'll create a monster that destroys Tokyo? [X(][X(][:D][:D]ORIGINAL: Zorch
The Gorn is modding the game so he can build Godzilla after the Allies drop the A-Bomb.
Right- the last couple of Godzillas destroyed New York and LA (I think). San Fran is overdue.ORIGINAL: witpqs
So much for the other plan. It was at this point the Gorn conceived of the other, other plan. This was the turning point...ORIGINAL: AW1Steve
So after I nuke Hiroshima and Nagasaki , he'll create a monster that destroys Tokyo? [X(][X(][:D][:D]ORIGINAL: Zorch
The Gorn is modding the game so he can build Godzilla after the Allies drop the A-Bomb.
ORIGINAL: witpqs
So much for the other plan. It was at this point the Gorn conceived of the other, other plan. This was the turning point...ORIGINAL: AW1Steve
So after I nuke Hiroshima and Nagasaki , he'll create a monster that destroys Tokyo? [X(][X(][:D][:D]ORIGINAL: Zorch
The Gorn is modding the game so he can build Godzilla after the Allies drop the A-Bomb.
The Other, Other Plan' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygg2Kli ... gg2KlicnOQORIGINAL: witpqs
So much for the other plan. It was at this point the Gorn conceived of the other, other plan. This was the turning point...ORIGINAL: AW1Steve
So after I nuke Hiroshima and Nagasaki , he'll create a monster that destroys Tokyo? [X(][X(][:D][:D]ORIGINAL: Zorch
The Gorn is modding the game so he can build Godzilla after the Allies drop the A-Bomb.
ORIGINAL: Zorch
The Other, Other Plan' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygg2Kli ... gg2KlicnOQORIGINAL: witpqs
So much for the other plan. It was at this point the Gorn conceived of the other, other plan. This was the turning point...ORIGINAL: AW1Steve
So after I nuke Hiroshima and Nagasaki , he'll create a monster that destroys Tokyo? [X(][X(][:D][:D]
ORIGINAL: witpqs
I've had success with carefully selecting my shipping lanes early in the war. Extra time, extra fuel, but very low losses. When you identify where he is looking for your convoys, move their routes. Aside from organic protection of convoys, concentrate ASW resources at any choke points - including the end points - that your convoys cannot avoid.
I also pay very little heed to using aircraft on ASW except maybe in very special cases and only when lots of appropriate aircraft with well trained crews are available. Instead I use naval search almost exclusively. The objective is to keep your ships floating. Sinking subs is a luxury. See the subs and avoid the subs. See the subs when you must sail through them still provides the convoys better chances.
Prefer to go where they ain't.
ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
Nothing's going to happen between Hawaii and the West Coast in 1941 or 1942 that's going to make a difference in 1944 (unless your carriers blunder into KB there). You could stand down entirely in that vicinity while setting up weird LOC routes that will drive him nuts, if he's anxious about trying to find them. Use Port Stanley or Balboa to deliver to unexpected places. He'll notice the base building if you select an island around, say, Tahiti. But then you can shift or, if late enough, orchestrate better ASW assets to hit him.
There's a desire to get things up and running as soon as possible, but it's really not necessary. I seriously think an Allied player could manage some fuel and supply deliveries to Oz and NZ while totally ignoring the creation of Pacific bases like Tahiti or Pago Pago or whatever. Then, beginning sometime in '43, with the huge construction units available, you can build those bases up and begin the fuel and supply delivery LOCs needed to prosecute the war. It's natural to think, "Well, I'll be behind, won't I?" No. Having saved so many ships from enemy attacks, you'll be more than ready to jump start logistics.
The only reason for the Allies to act proactively in '41, '42 and early '43 is to avoid boring yourself to death or boring your opponent to death, in which case he might disappear or find that real life is more fun than the game.
That's speaking from a logistics angle. From a warship angle, there are reasons to use the fleet early. If you can attrition the Kaigun at a reasonable cost, you will be making serious progress. He has a limited number of big ships, so each one you sink is one less you'll face...ever. It's fun playing an aggressive foe!
P.S. You know all these things, no doubt, but there is a instinctual need to do things that sometimes overrides the fact that you really don't need to.
ORIGINAL: AW1Steve
ORIGINAL: witpqs
I've had success with carefully selecting my shipping lanes early in the war. Extra time, extra fuel, but very low losses. When you identify where he is looking for your convoys, move their routes. Aside from organic protection of convoys, concentrate ASW resources at any choke points - including the end points - that your convoys cannot avoid.
I also pay very little heed to using aircraft on ASW except maybe in very special cases and only when lots of appropriate aircraft with well trained crews are available. Instead I use naval search almost exclusively. The objective is to keep your ships floating. Sinking subs is a luxury. See the subs and avoid the subs. See the subs when you must sail through them still provides the convoys better chances.
Prefer to go where they ain't.
Normally I would absolutely follow your advice. I totally agree with you. Here however is a difference...he's trying to figure out WHERE my shipping routes are. I'm all in favor of trying to go around him , somehow , some time, I'm going to have to make a west coast port. IF I can make it into an attrition game , where he needs 3 subs to fill every station (one on station , one coming on and one going off) then damaging one sub screws him up. Every sub I put in the body and fender shop screws up his deployment schedule just that much. Screw it up enough and either he has to scale it back , or I punch great big holes in it. I'm going to have more and better escorts coming , but he's not going to get a whole lot of replacement subs. Why would you push IJN vessels to operate in ways/places that use less fuel?
And of course every attack an escort makes , successful or not , gives it experience. True.
I'm also thinking of using a "bait force". One AK and 10 escorts. Is that gamey? [&:] No, I don't think it is gamey.
Recall Nimitz's orders to Spruance at Midway - the principle of calculated risk.ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
Nothing's going to happen between Hawaii and the West Coast in 1941 or 1942 that's going to make a difference in 1944 (unless your carriers blunder into KB there). You could stand down entirely in that vicinity while setting up weird LOC routes that will drive him nuts, if he's anxious about trying to find them. Use Port Stanley or Balboa to deliver to unexpected places. He'll notice the base building if you select an island around, say, Tahiti. But then you can shift or, if late enough, orchestrate better ASW assets to hit him.
There's a desire to get things up and running as soon as possible, but it's really not necessary. I seriously think an Allied player could manage some fuel and supply deliveries to Oz and NZ while totally ignoring the creation of Pacific bases like Tahiti or Pago Pago or whatever. Then, beginning sometime in '43, with the huge construction units available, you can build those bases up and begin the fuel and supply delivery LOCs needed to prosecute the war. It's natural to think, "Well, I'll be behind, won't I?" No. Having saved so many ships from enemy attacks, you'll be more than ready to jump start logistics.
The only reason for the Allies to act proactively in '41, '42 and early '43 is to avoid boring yourself to death or boring your opponent to death, in which case he might disappear or find that real life is more fun than the game.
That's speaking from a logistics angle. From a warship angle, there are reasons to use the fleet early. If you can attrition the Kaigun at a reasonable cost, you will be making serious progress. He has a limited number of big ships, so each one you sink is one less you'll face...ever. It's fun playing an aggressive foe!
P.S. You know all these things, no doubt, but there is a instinctual need to do things that sometimes overrides the fact that you really don't need to.