How to pick a commanding officer?

[Micah Goodman]

I may be missing something, but is it possible to decide wich commander heads up a particular task force or does the computer always decide on its own what particular leader will command a task force?

[Yamamoto]

You can decide this when the task force is in port by clicking on the commander's name.

Yamamoto

[Christof]

...is something I don't like about UV.

1. no worthwile information is displayed on the selection screen. I have to click through the leaders to find out who's able to command carrier TF, etc...
2. leaders don't seem to improve. Pilots, sailors do.

Leader selection was a different story in Pacific War and is one of the things that has become less comprehensive with UV.

Maybe somebody from the playtesting team can point out some of the rationale behind it?

Cheers,
Chris

[dtx]

Has anybody found an effect that leaders have on the game? I've not downloaded the lastest patch, but in previous versions, I tried replaying surface-to-surface battles with various leaders and found Zero effect (shell hits were exactly the same!).

Hence, I'm not sure that changing leaders matters at all.

Micah - You can only change the leader while the TF is in port.

[Yamamoto]

Originally posted by Christof
[B1. no worthwile information is displayed on the selection screen. I have to click through the leaders to find out who's able to command carrier TF, etc...
[/B]

Hey, be glad you get at least two numbers. There were some people on this forum saying that the leaders’ ratings should be hidden from the player until they had performed in combat. That would have been REALLY Irritating.

Yamamoto

[Christof]

Why?
As a commanding officer assigning leaders to tasks, I would have a quite good overview of their personalities and past performances. Don't you think?

My point was that in "Pacific War" I was able to choose leaders for all kinds of missions (sea and land) and their stats were visible while doing so. As far as I know leaders didn't improve over time and tasks in PW either.

Leaders DID have an effect on combat performances / results in reality - AND they build up experience over time.
UV simulates a lot of stuff correctly - and fails with leaders.

[Mike_B20]

I like the idea of having basic stats for a leader to start with. Kinda like how the leader is rated by his peers and superiors.

The basic stats could then be altered over time to reflect his performance in whatever tasks he's been assigned.
Everything from moving logistics efficiently to inspiring his men in battle to training and improving skills in his subordinates.

Would be nice to have an option for random starting characteristics as well. It'd add another element of enjoyment to the game to scout for that special carrier taskforce commander among your officers as the war progresses.

[denisonh]

I have seen one of my Bomber Squadron Commanders improve.

MAJ G. Clark of the 89th BS. It is 28 OCT 42. I am not sure when he got better, as I just noticed the other day. He improved one point in each inspiration and leadership.

As for leaders effects, I know that in surface actions, the aggressiveness of a leader will make a big difference in the number of engagements. I also have had success with leaders who have a surface rating above 65.

That would be easy enough to test with the editor, I think.

Also, bombardment TFs with aggressive commanders will generate more damage than bombardment TFs with cautious commanders.

[Mr.Frag]

Just remember, there is a price tag to sticking agressive leaders in, they will generally remain in a fight to the last man, costing you a lot of lost ships if you happen to walk into a bad situation.

A less agressive leader would have run away immediately.

I have seen aggressive DD TF's take on CA/BB TF's and get completely mopped for nothing, just because they were TOO brave for their own good. He who flees, lives to fight another day

[Admiral DadMan]

Pick your leaders like you might pick your nose... carefully

[Micah Goodman]

Thanks for the input guys. I did not actually have my TF docked so I was unable to change leaders. It would be nice to be able to arrange leaders according to skill levels and specialties without having to go through the whole list. Maybe that will come about in a later patch. I just got the game a few weeks ago and I am having a blast. I do have another question I have a B-17 unit stationed in Luganville and the range marker shows that I should be able to bomb Guadalcanal but the unit does nothing. I have issued specific instructions for them to bomb there but they still will not, does anyone have an idea as to why they won’t?

[Mike Wood]

Hello...

We decided to give a performance overview of each officer, instead of listing his stats, like PacWar. We felt it might seem less gamey, that way. You can find out the beginning numbers, if you like, by looking at the officer in the database.

Once the game begins, the officers do improve. If they gain enough experience, the description of thier capabilities also changes. The can go from, say competent to very competent, once they cross a numerical threshold.

Hope this helps...

Michael Wood

___________________________________________________

Originally posted by Christof
Why?
As a commanding officer assigning leaders to tasks, I would have a quite good overview of their personalities and past performances. Don't you think?

My point was that in "Pacific War" I was able to choose leaders for all kinds of missions (sea and land) and their stats were visible while doing so. As far as I know leaders didn't improve over time and tasks in PW either.

Leaders DID have an effect on combat performances / results in reality - AND they build up experience over time.
UV simulates a lot of stuff correctly - and fails with leaders.

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

Originally posted by Mike Wood
Hello...

We decided to give a performance overview of each officer, instead of listing his stats, like PacWar. We felt it might seem less gamey, that way. You can find out the beginning numbers, if you like, by looking at the officer in the database.

Once the game begins, the officers do improve. If they gain enough experience, the description of thier capabilities also changes. The can go from, say competent to very competent, once they cross a numerical threshold.

Hope this helps...

Michael Wood

Michael can you please tell us what difference (if any) rank of
commander plays in UV currently (for example in surface combat)?

Ages ago I asked this: "Question regarding TF commanders..."

showthread.php?threadid=34866

Thanks in advance!


Leo "Apollo11"