Matrix Games Forums

I'm fairly well along into my first game as the Japanese (vs AI). I've got a couple questions about how to best utilize a couple of Japanese ship types.

* Short-legged ML's. There are a number of ML's with a 600 endurance. Given the lack of a Japanese MLE type (more on this below), how are these best utilized? They need to hang close to a size 9 port in order to reload mines, but size 9 ports are fairly few and far between. As the Allies I park an MLE out near the front and use ML's with abandon.

* There are a handful of DD's that have no ASW capability. The Otori, for example. Lightly armed and armored, do you just use these like big PT boats?

* Does the Japanese AD type function the same as the Allied AD? The Japanese version is labeled a "Torpedo Transport," so I don't know if in game terms it supplies the same DD support that the Allied version does. I'm assuming yes.

As for the Japanese MLE, I figured they just didn't exist. But the ship database does show one. However it's not in my inventory and not listed on the ship availability list. Is it real?

Thanks.

- Jeff

* Short ranged ML are useless. Assigned to a convoy they cause too much refuelling and slow progress, used alone they run out of fuel too quickly. Put them somewhere out of the way and forget them.

* DDs without ASW weapons are still anti-submarine escorts. They won't sink a submerged sub but they can still detect a sub and in doing so protect a convoy.

* Yes

* Have you tried converting a large merchant ship? - this might be possible (not sure off hand)

Thanks for the feedback, it helps.

ORIGINAL: Mobeer
* Have you tried converting a large merchant ship? - this might be possible (not sure off hand)

I don't see any conversion option for the Japanese AKs like I do for the Allies, so perhaps this is not possible.

- Jeff

Or maybe I should RTFM: " The ship must be in Osaka (for the Japanese) or San Francisco (for
the Americans) to have this button available." I was trying this in Tokyo.

- Jeff

The short-legged MLs can be used to lay mines in the home port or a close by port, if level 8/9can base in a level 8/9 port, assigned to Minelaying, change setting under ship picture to Lay Mines. Each time out replenish from port, you have to reset to Lay mines.

The MLs in question are good for defensive mining of local ports or entranced to the Inland Sea.

The DDs are still useful as escorts as the subs keep their heads down.

ADs function the same for both sides, allowing the rearming of DDs with fish at smaller sized ports. Remember to disband them so they will work.

I have learned you have to be in a level 3+ port. In 1 & 2 you can only dock and are exposed to SS attack.