Focus Pacific: Release

[btd64]

Joglines1, Thank you for the imput. With the last update we made some big adjustments to the Japanese econ. Is the latest update(8/2016) the version you are using? If so then we have some adjusting to do[:)]....GP

Bill has been posting some stuff FYI.......

[Joglinks1]

Hi General.

no we are on an older version prior to the revamp of the econ. We decided to keep going with it to see what other feedback we can provide.
Also, I was too lazy to start again with the first turn always being the killer

we are using 1.03.
J

[btd64]

I think some of the econ stuff may solve some issues. The allies do have an edge in the beginning. I'm planning on some dutch forces going to the reinforcement pool and have some show up at CapeTown. That will help out a little. I'm also Toning down the allied aircraft pool. At the moment the Japanese have a lot of xAK's and more escorts. Give me some time to fix scenario 75 or for Para to review your comment, I would recommend a restart....GP

[paradigmblue]

Thanks for the feedback Joglinks.

I think many of your points have been addressed in patches, but that doesn't mean that there aren't concerns that still exists.

Air Combat

The most recent patch significantly reduces Soviet starting fighter group experience, which had been set much too high. It is now much easier for Japan to achieve 1:1 and even 2:1 results against the Soviet air force.

Allied fighter replacements have been adjusted down, but I think even now they need a little more downward tweaking.

You had mentioned how out-classed the gun-value of the Oscar was. To that effect, the most recent patch introduced the Oscar D, which has two center-line mounted cannons, which makes it much more effective.

I believe that I increased the pilot replacement rate in the most recent version compared to the one you're playing as well.

Ground War

I have to say that I haven't experienced a similar issue with the ground war in the DEI. Once supply is cut off here, these troops wither on the vine, and as most of the hexes are coastal, any force concentration can be softened up by naval bombardment. I'll look into having the Dutch mechanized force start in a different location as Patton does, however.

The most recent patch also increases the amount of troops that are available early on, and provides more political points to buy out troops on the home islands for Japan.

I'll look into adding more artillery.

Naval Warfare

The most recent patch introduced 15+ additional sub-chasers for Japan to keep tabs on those pesky Soviet subs.

Industry

We did a large industry re-vamp which seems to be working OK for players - I'm not afraid to tweak it more however as needed to increase Japan's ability to support expanded aircraft manufacturing.

Manpower has been increased, but as above I'm not afraid to tweak it more.

Port Size

Good point, and an easy fix.

Apolgies

I'd like to apologize that the version of Focus Pacific that you're playing has these flaws. I wish that I had kept the mod in "beta" status a while longer as Patton and I worked out some kinks, especially when it comes to the economy.

Please download the latest version and take a look around to see what you think has been fixed between the two versions, and what you think still needs tweaking.

Thank you for your thoughts, without feedback like this we can't continue to improve the mod to make it a better experience for everyone.

[BillBrown]

I have a bad case of the flue so I will be answering in short posts when I can.

Soviet Subs have sunk about 88 ships and lost none to DC attack. I am not sure that more SCs are going to be effective, some need
to start with Type 95-2( in spite of Jogs assertion, they do go deeper than the type 95s) It might also be that he does not have
enough air ASW assets patrolling.

The air war. I have been very successful, I would guess some is from experience starting too high. And maybe I have lucky and/or good.

I would possible suggest that most of the Allied air training units come in 3-6 months after the start of the war. I was very diligent
in setting up my trainers and finding 81+ experience trainers. I have a core of about 400 USAAF fighter pilots with 50/70/70 stats and
more are on the way.

Ground war, I feel Jogs did make a mistake in moving into Voroshilov and Rytolov. I would not have advance out from those positions
attacking in +3 terrain is costly. I show he has about 58 units in the two cities when 6-10 could have easily held the fortified positions
in Manchukuo. I have been able to create a stalemate in China for now. I hope to keep it that was for about 2 years or so.

Not starting a bombing campaign against his factories was a decision I made. I was waiting for the MiG-3 AM-38 with its drop tanks.

[BillBrown]

A quick glance at 1.03 vers 1.04a shows that 1.04a starts with 2120 less LI than 1.03. Doesn't seem to be an improvement.

[paradigmblue]

ORIGINAL: BillBrown

A quick glance at 1.03 vers 1.04a shows that 1.04a starts with 2120 less LI than 1.03. Doesn't seem to be an improvement.

Light industry is a huge resource sink, but relatively inefficient in converting those resources to supply. The balance of HI to LI was changed to ensure that there were enough resources to feed HI.

[Joglinks1]

Paradigmblue, there is no need to apologize. When doing so many changes and additions there are bound to be hickups and tweaks to be done. I appreciate you are open for feedback.

Bill is correct, moving these large armies into Voroshilov and the other city. It is a sinkhole for troops. I never played with the USSR active it was a trial and error approach here which failed.
I am still concerned about an intensive strat bombing campaign from the USSR. If this happens the Japanese industry could falter quickly.
The answer to that is tricky as increase in Flak and or fighter might temped the Japanese player to employ them otherwise. As we have not come to that stage yet, I would like to continue this game to see how it plays out.
Stronger and more Flak might be needed.

Type 95DC. Bill is correct, the 95-2 has a greater depth reach. I looked at the ID 107 and 1699 marked slots in tracker. 107 seems to be not in use
However the PB's still don't upgrade to the more potent weapon. They are stuck with the earlier model.

Ground war, once supply is cut off you are correct. However it is speed that the Japanese player needs. If you cannot reach the historical area taken by Japan by June/July then it becomes next to impossible. Not sure how I would address this in a new game. There are lots of small units which I used to take small islands in the SoPac but the larger Divisional/Brig size forces are all needed in Malaya, Phi, China and Burma.
I think I have to go after no more than two targets at the time and focus on it. and then move to the next step instead of the usual [:)] jumping all out attack

There is air unit 342 which flies Ki27b's, classified as a IJA training unit but assigned to the IJN. Can you take a look?

[HansBolter]

I think it is unreasonable to expect an ability to maintain a historical timetable of conquest in a scenario with such a beefed up Allied force.

Nothing about this scenario should be expected to follow historical lines.

[BillBrown]

ORIGINAL: paradigmblue

ORIGINAL: BillBrown

A quick glance at 1.03 vers 1.04a shows that 1.04a starts with 2120 less LI than 1.03. Doesn't seem to be an improvement.

Light industry is a huge resource sink, but relatively inefficient in converting those resources to supply. The balance of HI to LI was changed to ensure that there were enough resources to feed HI.

HI is identical in both 1.03 and 1.04a. It seems that the supply production has been reduced. Joglinks1 is
concerned with not having enough supply.

[Joglinks1]

Hans, your statement is valid, however there is code in the game that gives an advantage to landings and I believe to air to air combat to the Japanese.
With the 1.3 scen 71 setup there is just not enough supply and troops to go around to sustain major offensives and expend the industry on a massive scale.

I also said that it is possible to take all the historical taken land but at a higher cost which translates in more points for the allied player making it difficult to archive a point victory

J

ooops

[BillBrown]

Just be complete, we are playing scenario 71, not 75

[btd64]

Understood....GP

[BillBrown]

I am not sure if this is what you wanted or not. Ship Class 642 Gato 4/42 does not have an upgrade path to a Gato-A model. There are about 50 of them appearing in 1942.

[btd64]

ORIGINAL: BillBrown

I am not sure if this is what you wanted or not. Ship Class 642 Gato 4/42 does not have an upgrade path to a Gato-A model. There are about 50 of them appearing in 1942.

I'll check and fix if nessecary. Thank you....GP

[btd64]

ORIGINAL: BillBrown

I am not sure if this is what you wanted or not. Ship Class 642 Gato 4/42 does not have an upgrade path to a Gato-A model. There are about 50 of them appearing in 1942.

Bill,
Current versions of FP include a Gato "A" model.
Just checked....GP

[BillBrown]

I will try one more time. Gato class 641 has an upgrade to a Gato-A class. That is bind # 613 which binds 641 to 1001.
There is no bind # listed for Gato class 642( this is the first upgrade of 641 ). There are 29 Gato class 642s that
appear in 1942, they have no path to a Gato-A class.

[btd64]

Ah, once 641 upgrades to 642 the A model is no longer available. Did I forget to mention that[:'(].So you do have a "window of opportunity"....GP

[BillBrown]

Forget it.

[CaptBeefheart]

Bump: How's this coming?

Cheers,
CC