ORIGINAL: Oleg Mastruko
ORIGINAL: esteban
I disagree. Between KB and the Ryujo TF, (which can reach PH for the port attack if you wish) you have enough carriers for 3 TFs. Which if you arrange in the correct pattern around one of the American carrier TFs, will always be in strike range with at least 2 carriers. The American TF can only move a maximum of 5-6 hexes.
The point is - you can't "arrange correct pattern around CVs" because:
a) They CAN move faster than IJN CVs - guessing where they will be at the end of turn one is a gamble.
b) I would never recommend hunting with 3 2xCV groups. Also Ryujo is unusable for this - it will most probably get sunk.
USN CVs are very strong and those SBD squadrons have incredible EXP rating. Once in my experiments vs myself I went CV hunting with 3 TF. Result - 2 IJN CVs lost, 2 seriously damaged, 1 USN CV sunk, 1 damaged. Total disaster for IJN. So this is by no means sure-shot tactic for anyone.
That's why, if you're serious about this tactic, you must use two 3xCV TFs. And forget about Ryujo and other CVLs... Even then you may end up emptyhanded or with unfavorable result. USN may decide to group his CVs and deliver some very damaging attack on your 3CV group that manages to find them. Etc.
Oleg
With 3 TFs, you can arrange a triangular position around one of the hexes that the American TF starts in, and no matter which way the American TF goes, it will be within 4-5 hexes of a Japanese CV TF. I have not tried the tactic myself, but I can see how I would set it up if I did.
It is a bit of a risk for the Japanese, but I do not think it is as bad a risk as you mention. As the Japanese player, you can set your fighters on something like 70% CAP, and still have a large enough escort that with 2-3 carriers your strike force can overpower the American CAP. The "Zero surprise" bonus that the Japanese start with, +5 maneuverability in December, 1941 would definitely put a lot of hurt on any inbound Allied airstrikes. You could fly aircraft off to Johnson or Midway, but then you leave no CAP over your carriers. If you leave your fighters on the carriers, then your bombers have no escort to go after the Japanese TFs.
Like I said, I don't know exactly what the risks are, but I wouldn't hesitate to commit my CVLs to the fight. Sure, they would be more vulnerable, but I would still gladly trade one of them in return for even a crippling strike on one American CV, where the rest of KB could swoop in next turn and finish the job.
