Naval Return

[dpstafford]

The "return" mission doesn't seem to be available to damaged ships at sea. Why? Ordering them to "refit" does seem to push them back to port, but not until they are exposed to another round of enemy fire. Is this by design? Or a bug?

[Sewerlobster]

I believe all ships ordered to return are subject to attack. Damaged ones with no return option are already set to return because of their damage.

[dpstafford]

ORIGINAL: SewerStarFish

I believe all ships ordered to return are subject to attack. Damaged ones with no return option are already set to return because of their damage.

Yes, this seems to be correct.

So that after putting a whooping on the Grand Fleet, most of my gains were wiped out as more Brits showed up the next turn and took their shot before I could "return". This really needs to be changed!

[Sewerlobster]

ORIGINAL: dpstafford

ORIGINAL: SewerStarFish
I believe all ships ordered to return are subject to attack. Damaged ones with no return option are already set to return because of their damage.

Yes, this seems to be correct.
So that after putting a whooping on the Grand Fleet, most of my gains were wiped out as more Brits showed up the next turn and took their shot before I could "return". This really needs to be changed!

I can understand why the ships are subject to attack on return. The idea is: you order your sortee of the Grand Fleet to say The North Sea: then there's a battle and the damaged ships have to limp back and some undamaged ones can stay, meanwhile other uncommitted ships can sortee. The "battle" is occurring over two months, the damaged ships are not choosing to return until the next turn -- an abstaction for sure but so is all the other combat.

It makes even more sense if the Grand Fleet sortees to the North Atlantic; the returning ships must pass through the North Sea and clearly part of the abstraction includes ships damaged on the last days of the turn. These ships would be returning through the next turn's enemy sortees. Strategically part of the Grand Fleet should be designated as reserves and they should sortee along the retreat route on the the turn following the battle.

[dpstafford]

As you said above, even undamaged ships that are ordered to "return" are subject to this extra round of unwanted battle. So I'm not sure that your explanation holds water. It's a bad rule......

[Sewerlobster]

Ships, damaged and undamaged, are "returning" to port throughout the entire next turn. They are passing the next turn's sortee's.
I think "annoying" might be a better adjective than "bad". As many games have the -return to port- phase within the turn. I see your point, but we have to adjust our strategy because I don't think they'll change it.

[dpstafford]

I agree they are not going to change it. Not enough interest in the title to justify further support, unfortunately. But the lesson with this rule for the CP at sea is, "even when you win, you lose".

[EUBanana]

ORIGINAL: dpstafford

I agree they are not going to change it. Not enough interest in the title to justify further support, unfortunately. But the lesson with this rule for the CP at sea is, "even when you win, you lose".

Sounds a bit like Jutland. [;)]