Matrix Games Forums

I'm noticing a difference in how the computer treats the loadout of FT TFs and wonder if this is a bug or historical.

For example, I am playing a H2H match of scenario #19 and its up to the first couple of months of '43. At this point the replacements for losses incurred by the frontline garrisons are starting to show up in Truk. With allied airpower being what it is I find it necessary to first bring these small 'slices' of units down to Rabaul in regular AP TFs, then distribute them to their parent formations via FT TFs. These TFs are generally composed of a half dozen DDs heading up by a CL or CA. Total lift capability for each is over a 1000 points on average.

What I find is when I load up these units that is all the Japanese FT TFs will bring. A good example is a recent shuttle run to Lae from Rabaul. Two small 'slices' totaled only 300+ points and only two ships were loaded. The computer didn't load the remaining 5 ships with supplies to make the most of the shuttle run.

In contrast I see the allied FT TFs will not only fill out all the ships with supplies after loading the troops, but even the ones with troops will take on more supplies if their is extra capacity left over.

So what gives?

Understand your problem very well since I do have the same concept for keeping frontline units on strenght...

It depends on your ops points left. Usually your ships will load such small LCU contingents at once (instantly), especially when plenty ships (lift capacity) are on hand. You´ll see the number of troops embarked down below in the screen and there is no more "loading troops" line. If this happens, just hit the "load supplies" button and they will eagerly take on Sake & rice as well, starting their shuttle run at the same speed/schedule as with no supplies on board.

It is much more difficult when your "slice" is too big, or the lift capacity limited. Then you´re on the luck of the matrix loadmasters (AI), since it will load out troops first and then take on a various amount of supply (almost never to the remaining max).

Hope this helps.