Matrix Games Forums

Alright, alright, I wasn't trying to cause trouble .. especially between the players.

Let's just say the set of house rules I use when playing with Nik, for instance, is very different from the set of house rules I use when playing with Moses. And I'm fine with that, and I think they are fine with that.

A work-able set of house rules is a function of the player set in that game.

Castor and PzH need to decide what works for them. If Joe and Termy play then likewise we'd have our own set too. Nothing wrong with that in my book.

ORIGINAL: Terminus

I'd like to know who explained the code to you...[8|]

Am I wrong , or was there a statement mad by Matrix a few weeks ago about Personnal attacks?  [:(]

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

Am I wrong , or was there a statement mad by Matrix a few weeks ago about Personnal attacks?  [:(]

:D You mean a statement by the Mad-Matrix-MOD???

I think we're cool here.

Good. I was not trying to be critical , just a gentle reminder....so often these discussions go off the rails with minor comments that might seem personal. [:)]

Hit the other Guy 1st and and sink or heavily damage all his carriers in your 1st strike!
100% Guaranteed Victory!
[:D]

Felt we needed a little levity!

The two biggest causes of victory in Carrier Duels seem to be to me are:
#1 Not being spotted by your opponent and failing that
#2 Striking 1st
 
What I mean by not being spottted by your opponent is a combination of not being spotted in days/turns previous to the Carrier Duel while you have already spotted his CV TF, as well as not being spotted that day/turn. If your opponent hasn't spotted your CVs in the area he might have some of his Attack planes on ground Combat missions (supporting an invasion), or a low % set to Naval Search, or his CAP/Escort ratios might be inappropriately set.
If he doesn't spot you onthat day/turn, well then he's screwed cause then he might get smacked down hard with no retribution.

There are two different things that should be changed in the game:
1. Target related air strikes. When multiple Task forces are under the same CAP, there should be one strike to penetrate the CAP. Then it should split to attack diferent TFs. So Hex Targeted strikes should be combinet into one to penetrate enemy CAP, and after that it should be divided to attack targets set.

2. Strike - coordination penalty. Should be removed when strike will target Hex.

Getting back to the original poster's question, it all depends on what mod your are playing, what side you are playing, and what year of the war it is.

Unfortunately A2A combat is subject to the Laws of large numbers in this game...as many other aspects of the game are. I actually completed a stock scenario 15 game as the Allies that went to 1/1/45.....only 1 CV was lost by either side during the ENTIRE war due to the Death Star /Uber Cap/Black Hole phenomonen. In stock, it seems that once you start flying more than 250 fighters on CAP nothing gets through. In CV vs CV combat, ALL the defensive CAP flys while the attackers, no matter how numerous, come in fragmented. Japan has a monopoly on the Black Hole until 7/42, then its MAD(mutually assured destruction) until 7/43. Once the Hellcats show up the Allies have a monopoly on the Death Star until the end of the war.

Whether I play as Japan or the Allies, I look at what my opponent is doing and respond accordingly. If Im playing the Allies and Japan has 8CVs and 2 CVLs combined to form a Death Star, then I will use all the USN CVs and the RN CVs in single CV TFs in one hex during 1942. If my opponent splits up his CVs around the map then I will follow suit. In 1943, as the Allied strike coodination rules become less restrictive I will begin to group 2 CVs together in 1 TF and in 1944 2 CVs and a CVL in a TF.

When playing stock, Id really recommend a limit on CAP...say 60% and then most of the Black Hole effects go away. In the Nik Mods....you get a lot of leakers so in Niks words"the best defense is a good offense"...ie make sure that your bombers get through.

Obviously, 1942 presents the greatest danger to the Allies since Japan can operate at least 6 CVs in the same TF and coodinate attacks while the Allies have severe coodination problems.

My suggestions for the Allies in 1942:

1) Use single CV TFs with one BB in each TF
2)In your lowest numbered TF, place one CV(I like to use CV Wasp because CV Wasp II is a much better CV) plus CVE Long Island plus 2 BBs.....will suck in most of the Japanese airstrikes....plus it will be a slow TF and all your other CV TFs can easily keep up.
3)In your next lowest numbered CV TFs place CV Saratoga and CV Lexington...they have high durability and are fairly resistant to Vals. Alternatively, place an extra BB with Lex and Sara if you want to make sure they are preferentially targeted.


For playing as either Japan or the Allies:

1)Try to create a battlefield for the carrier exchange where you can add in land based air strikes to use up the ammo of the opponents CAP as well as attrition their fighters.

Try create a battlefield for the carrier exchange where you have a friendly port nearby with ARs and Naval HQs

Before entering combat, get EVERY upgrade you can for all your ships as soon as they are available. The more AA you have the better off you are.

I haven't played PBEM yet but I would have thought that separating your dive bombers and your torpedo bomber altitudes would play havoc with CAP.
 
As IJN try flying the Vals in at 18000+ and the Kates in at 3000 - 5000. Seems to split the Allied CAP most delightfully while getting full 9 divebombers (which can wound but not sink) attack and also getting more chance of putting torpedoes into CVs (low flying so only 4 attack at a time).
 
Works in practice. But never tried it in anger yet (Artificial Idiot doesn't count, does it?).