Choice of transports for invasion

[scout1]

Unfortunately Russell, I'd bet you load your transports this way BECAUSE of the limitations of the game engine and the interface. Bascially 2x3 took an approach that might be vald for a relatively small number of pieces/units and applied it to a game that is mutliple orders bigger in terms of units. [;)]

[Tristanjohn]

ORIGINAL: scout1

Unfortunately Russell, I'd bet you load your transports this way BECAUSE of the limitations of the game engine and the interface. Bascially 2x3 took an approach that might be vald for a relatively small number of pieces/units and applied it to a game that is mutliple orders bigger in terms of units. [;)]

Because the system is limited in this respect you must work with just one unit at a time when loading. Plan ahead, make sure all your shipping is where you need it, then load unit A on so many APs, next load unit B on so many APs, and like that. After everyone's loaded correctly you can then combine various TFs anyway you wish. Actually, you can combine them before everyone's loaded. Just be sure the TF you use as your mother TF is loading troops: e.g., if the other TFs are already completely loaded or loading supplies it won't matter; if one of the other TFs still needs to load troops, however, be sure the mother TF still has the load troops command.

I'm rarely in a hurry to invade. A few turns more or less doesn't matter to me. So for coordination I simply pick the slowest TF, give it orders each turn to move its minimum allowance (usually three hexes), and then have all other TFs toggled to follow it. Works like a charm. You could also combine all the ships into one very large TF if there are 100 or less, but often enough that requires breaking everything up on the other end because ships in the TF have been earmarked either to not unload there or not to unload right away. When that's the case I find it easier to do my "sorting" beforehand.

What I really find interesting is to have to load various TFs, situated all over the board, and then watch them slowly rendevous, as required, at a given sea hex on the map prior to invasion, meanwhile providing them each and all with proper sea escorts and LRCAP when called for. Sometimes that requires a little doong. I love it! [:'(]