Noob questions

[pacificbetta]

Yet to play a first turn, still mired in relearning the rules. I have tried to find the answers to these, but have not come across them so far, I know I probably missed them, will appreciate quick answers thanks in advance:

1. Where do we find the current status of minfields that are on the map?

2. When an aircraft is listed as upgradable to another (eg B5N1 kate to B5N2 Kate), what does it mean in game terms:
a. Older aircraft that already built are automatically given the new model. (Yeah I know this is not likely, but I am exploring all fields )
b. Squadrons upgrading to that aircraft do not get all damaged planes as switching to other types?
c. Factories do not suffer the gearing penalty when switching between planes of the same upgrade ladder. (not true from my limited testing so far)

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: pacificbetta

c. Factories do not suffer the gearing penalty when switching between planes of the same upgrade ladder. (not true from my limited testing so far)

Do you mean the size change based upon durability? Not sure about that, (I actually haven't ever paid attention to this) but they don't get damaged and that is the big deal for me in play. Not having to repair the factories, all that supply and the lost days of production because of the repair.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: pacificbetta

Yet to play a first turn, still mired in relearning the rules. I have tried to find the answers to these, but have not come across them so far, I know I probably missed them, will appreciate quick answers thanks in advance:

1. Where do we find the current status of minfields that are on the map?

In game, I don't know of any way except to laboriously look at each tiny "mine dot" on the map. A better way is to download and use the free WITPTracker AE utility, which has a specific and highly useful minefield tab. It will show you minefield status as well as deterioration. There's a sticky on WITPTracker AE. It's far better to load it and learn it a bit before your first turn, so you don't lose time series data.

[pacificbetta]

Ah, so the "üpgrade" still suffers a drop in capacity but the factories are switched over without the need to repair. TYVM

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: pacificbetta

Ah, so the "üpgrade" still suffers a drop in capacity but the factories are switched over without the need to repair. TYVM

The drop in capacity I am not sure about.
The lack of damage I am and it is one of the major decision factors in changing factories.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: pacificbetta
2. When an aircraft is listed as upgradable to another (eg B5N1 kate to B5N2 Kate), what does it mean in game terms:
a. Older aircraft that already built are automatically given the new model. (Yeah I know this is not likely, but I am exploring all fields )
b. Squadrons upgrading to that aircraft do not get all damaged planes as switching to other types?
c. Factories do not suffer the gearing penalty when switching between planes of the same upgrade ladder. (not true from my limited testing so far)

It means that (for your example), if B5N2s were available (and sufficient supply, in range of air HQ, etc. of base) and you had a unit with B5N1s, the latter could be upgraded to the former.

You would designate this on your air unit's front page where you would select 'allow upgrades' and, on the following page, ensure that the B5N2 is the unit marked to replace your B5N1s. Ensure that allow upgrades is toggled and you should either be immediately able to upgrade (assuming sufficient B5N2s in pool and previous supply and HQ requirements have been met).

Specifically:

a. No. Older aircraft will still be built if your factories are assembling them.
b. False. Squadrons upgrading to the new a/c will receive damaged aircraft.
c. This is a separate question-factory upgrades are different than air unit upgrades. The mechanics for both are different. My answers above are regarding aircraft (not factory) unit upgrades.

[pacificbetta]

You would designate this on your air unit's front page where you would select 'allow upgrades' and, on the following page, ensure that the B5N2 is the unit marked to replace your B5N1s. Ensure that allow upgrades is toggled and you should either be immediately able to upgrade (assuming sufficient B5N2s in pool and previous supply and HQ requirements have been met).

Specifically:

a. No. Older aircraft will still be built if your factories are assembling them.
b. False. Squadrons upgrading to the new a/c will receive damaged aircraft.
c. This is a separate question-factory upgrades are different than air unit upgrades. The mechanics for both are different. My answers above are regarding aircraft (not factory) unit upgrades.

So, may I conclude that there are no advantage for having planes that are "upgradable" as far as air units are concerned? I mean, a human player can easily still manually trigger the aircraft change, and it is no different from an automatic upgrade by a HQ right?

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: pacificbetta

So, may I conclude that there are no advantage for having planes that are "upgradable" as far as air units are concerned? I mean, a human player can easily still manually trigger the aircraft change, and it is no different from an automatic upgrade by a HQ right?

Concerning air units, you are correct, there is no difference between manual upgrading and automatic upgrading. Personally, as the Japanese, I always upgrade manually. Resources (planes and pilots in this instance) are usually a rare commodity. I don't want the AI to do something that may be less than brillant. I prefer to make my own mistakes. [:D]

[pacificbetta]

Another question on withdrawal:

If a unit withdraws, I understand the equipped plane are lost, but what happens to the pilots? Are they lost as well or do they return to the pilot pool?

[erstad]

ORIGINAL: pacificbetta

Ah, so the "üpgrade" still suffers a drop in capacity but the factories are switched over without the need to repair. TYVM

Don't manually change the factory. Let it automatically upgrade. I think if you manually change it, it won't matter what the upgrade path is. (You can always make a safety save and try it on the off chance I'm wrong, reloading from the save if the factory damages)

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

ORIGINAL: pacificbetta

So, may I conclude that there are no advantage for having planes that are "upgradable" as far as air units are concerned? I mean, a human player can easily still manually trigger the aircraft change, and it is no different from an automatic upgrade by a HQ right?

Concerning air units, you are correct, there is no difference between manual upgrading and automatic upgrading. Personally, as the Japanese, I always upgrade manually. Resources (planes and pilots in this instance) are usually a rare commodity. I don't want the AI to do something that may be less than brillant. I prefer to make my own mistakes. [:D]

Ditto.

There is a great advantage as IJ as being able to dictate 'upgrade' paths. With PDU on, for example, you can keep your state of the art planes in the front lines and 'upgrade' your training units in the home islands to more basic and plentiful airframes that are quite suitable for training, but not front line combat.

Keep both types of airframes available and shuttle / 'upgrade' between them as the occasion warrants.

[pacificbetta]

Thank you everyone for the replies, it made me less lonely on the steep learning curve

One observation, did you guys noticed that Grace is listed as a Dive Bomber and not a Torpedo Bomber? I clicked on some airgroups and found them some inconsistencies below:

1. Some LB airgroups (currently Val equipped) are able to switch to either Val or Kate, nice way to artificially increase the torpedo capacities in the home islands in the final phases of the defence
2. KB's divebombers can switch to Grace! But not the TBs on it