5 Things a WitP player should know coming to AE

[The Gnome]

I don't have time for the forums as much as I used to but the little I'm able to read, there are some critical differences between WitP and AE that may be difficult to see at first glance.

If you had to pick the top 5 things that every experienced WitP player should know that is changed in AE, what would they be?

[Nomad]

#1 there is a huge difference in a Transport TF and an amphibious TF

Transport are for moving from large ports to other large ports efficiently.

Amphibious are for invading enemy bases and for landing your troops on your small to nonexistent port bases


#2 Very different TF rearming, no longer can small ports load everything if they just have supply

#3 Port loading/unloading is very different and needs study.

#4 Airbase stacking uses engines and not aircraft. Plus the number of units is counted.

#5 Combat of all three kinds is different and FOW is much higher.

[madflava13]

Logisitics. Logistics. Logistics.

Ports rule. Airfields are secondary.

Guard your replacement pools like they're gold.

Escort everything, everywhere.

There's never enough of anything, anywhere.

[kfmiller41]

All so very very true[:)]

[Mynok]

Logistics could probably cover all 5. [:D]

[Nomad]

ORIGINAL: Mynok


Logistics could probably cover all 5. [:D]

Or 10. [:)]

[Cap Mandrake]

Ships that run out of fuel can no longer be magically propelled to their destination by friendly marine animals.

Under the right circumstance, torpedo bombers can operate from level 2 airfields.

Magic naval reconaisance out to 720 miles in all directions with 12 PBY's is gone.

Air groups now require more TLC. You can't just set fighters on 90% CAP for 8 mos straight.

Ditto bombers.

Lastly...be aware of the Allied Achilles heel...the Valdez..Fairbanks...Great Slave Lake Fishing Lodge...Edmonton potential invasion route.

[The Gnome]

Hahaha, so logistics then?

Yeah I'm only on the first turn (long campaign, as US vs AI), my god there is so much more.... stuff. I just feel overwhelmed right now.

All the air units with withdraw dates for one. The new ship types also have me scratching my head, I may really need the manual on this one. I didn't see an computer controlled subs option which I always used in WitP, so there is some added stuff.

- So when you guys say there isn't enough of anything anywhere, are there a lot fewer supply points generated?

- Do you US players do any ship conversions to start?

- Someone mentioned guarding my replacement pools like they're gold - what do you mean? Do you mean like replacement pilots and whatnot?

- Is there much of a change in pilot fatigue? Normally I set all my US based squadrons to about 80% training - will I be flying my pilots into the ground out of fatigue?

I ran a quick test turn before I was done entering my moves to get a feel for things. I noticed the AI kept KB near PH after turn one and nearly sank Lexington, there's a big change lol.

[bradfordkay]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Ships that run out of fuel can no longer be magically propelled to their destination by friendly marine animals.

Yes they can... the difference is that now there are unfriendly marine animals hammering on the hulls of those fuel less ships, so they may not make it to port!

[V22 Osprey]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Ships that run out of fuel can no longer be magically propelled to their destination by friendly marine animals.

[:D][:D][:D]

[DrewMatrix]

In WITP as the Allies my strategy was to put all the CVs in one TF, put all the fighters on CAP and let the IJ destroy their carrier air groups hammering against that invulnerable CAP. Now the occasional DB or TB gets through. At least in '42. I don't know they will be able to in a Phillipine Sea scenario.

[jomni]

ORIGINAL: The Gnome

I didn't see an computer controlled subs option which I always used in WitP, so there is some added stuff.

Subs can be toggled to computer control... in the TF screen.

- So when you guys say there isn't enough of anything anywhere, are there a lot fewer supply points generated?

Its not the number of supplies. Supply is abundant but concentrated in limited places.
There are not enough transports to ferry the supplies.
There are not enough large ports for efficient transport operations.
There are not enough DD's to escort supply TFs.
The list goes on.

I ran a quick test turn before I was done entering my moves to get a feel for things. I noticed the AI kept KB near PH after turn one and nearly sank Lexington, there's a big change lol.

Yup AI more aggressive. Which can also go against it like sending too many unescorted transports.

[DrewMatrix]

ORIGINAL: jomni

I ran a quick test turn before I was done entering my moves to get a feel for things. I noticed the AI kept KB near PH after turn one and nearly sank Lexington, there's a big change lol.

Yup AI more aggressive. Which can also go against it like sending too many unescorted transports.

In Allies vs IJ the aggressiveness of the AI is leading to a very bloody first few months. I suspect what will happen is huge losses by mi 1942 then the Allied building will replace what the IJ can't.

After the patch I plan to try Scen 2 the HI for that reason (more IJ industry to replace stuff)

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: bradfordkay

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Ships that run out of fuel can no longer be magically propelled to their destination by friendly marine animals.

Yes they can... the difference is that now there are unfriendly marine animals hammering on the hulls of those fuel less ships, so they may not make it to port!

Duh-duh..duh-duh..duh-duh

[The Gnome]

Does the new AI fix the suiciding transport behavior? Gosh that was frustrating

[skrewball]

I think a big thing to remember is that the map scale is DIFFERENT!

I'm still thinking in WitP terms..."I'm 5 hexs from the Allied CV TF, I'm the perfect striking distance"

Yeah...not so much...that's what we call a mulligan [:D]

[Sheytan]

? Specifically what is that?

ORIGINAL: The Gnome

Does the new AI fix the suiciding transport behavior? Gosh that was frustrating

[rockmedic109]

1.  Eating is still required. 
2.  Caffeine is a good way to stay awake longer in order to get more turns in per day.
3.  You still have to spend time with your wife.  Those two hours you spend sleeping can be spent next to your wife.
4.  Play on a laptop is preferred to a desktop.  That way you can take the computer with you when nature calls.
5.  AE is even more addictive than WITP.  There is no cure.  The only support group is this forum unless you want to call divorce lawyers a support group for your wife.

[John Lansford]

The AI is much more aggressive, stubborn, and opportunistic than it was in WitP.  It will do stupid things but it will also surprise you too.
 
However, if it's current rate of major ship loss continues for much longer, it will have no surface fleet to speak of by the end of 1942.  Six CA's, a BB, a CVL, and about 2 dozen DD's have been sunk by my forces before the end of February 42, mostly in surface battles and by submarines.  Kongo was sunk by a 300 kg bomb dropped by a lucky Dutch pilot.

[Icedawg]

ORIGINAL: Sheytan

? Specifically what is that?

ORIGINAL: The Gnome

Does the new AI fix the suiciding transport behavior? Gosh that was frustrating

He's referring to the way the AI would endlessly send unescorted transports with no air cover directly into a contested batttle zone. Needless to say, few of those transports made it to their destination and virtually none unloaded their cargo. It kind of made the game too easy. The AI would just set itself up for you to knock down without much effort. Not much fun.