Figuring out convoys
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 10:37 am
Just trying to grasp the supply/resource convoys system here. Please correct me if I am wrong, but this is how I think it works in a nutshell (have the game for 2 days now):
Port supply:
Ports provide supply. For a port to be able to do that, you need TRANSPORTS that bring the supplies to the port. These TRANSPORTS can also be used to naval move units by the way. TRANSPORTS are a support type that can be purchased.
They are returned to the pool after use, you do not see them on the map.
Enemy ships within 4 hexes, or enemy planes within 8 hexes, can interfere with the supply stockpile of a port. Port supplies can be affected by enemy naval and air forces in the area with at least 1 operation point at the end of the turn. The closer the interdicting force is to the port, the higher the chance of success. Friendly naval and air forces within those ranges will protect the incoming supply transport. Their range is irrelevant to the protection level they provide. This means for example that an Allied air unit in Malta will interdict the port of Tripoli, since Malta is 8 hexes from Tripoli.
Succesful Port supply interdiction by enemy Naval units within 4 hexes of a port can lead to the loss of TRANSPORTS (albeit a small chance). I am not sure if this is also true for enemy air units that succesfully interdict.
There is no visual representation of supply convoys going from source to destination port on the map (like there is for resource convoys). Just position your units correctly near a port and the interdiction happens automatically during turn resolution. The combat log contains an entry afterwards if port interdiction has occurred and how succesful it was.
Convoys and Escorts/Merchant Marine:
As opposed to supply convoys, resource convoys (steel, oil) ARE represented on the map. Use the "Trade convoy" toggle to view them.
Land convoys (eg Ploesti oil from Rumania to Germany) are shown with a land route. You can look up details of a land convoy by looking at the Convoys and Escorts screen.
Resource Convoys by sea follow the predetermined lanes shown on the map. By hovering over a lane you can see how many resources pass through that particular lane. For transporting the resources you need MERCHANT MARINE units. This is a type of support unit that can be purchased (like TRANSPORTS that would need for port supply). ESCORTS protect convoys from submarine units attacking them. ESCORTS have no effect on non-submarine naval fleets nor can they be affected by them. ESCORTS can be purchased as a support type unit and exist in a pool. They are never shown on the map. The can be assigned to a seabound resource convoy route by using the convoys and escorts screen.
Remark:
I was somewhat dumbfounded by the "Trade convoys" button. It did not show anything. The button is a little buggy. Not sure how to reproduce this error reliably. When you press the button and the convoys show while playing a game, the button seems to continue working fine during your session. Ending a game and restarting it, can sometimes cause the error. But not consistently it seems.
Port supply:
Ports provide supply. For a port to be able to do that, you need TRANSPORTS that bring the supplies to the port. These TRANSPORTS can also be used to naval move units by the way. TRANSPORTS are a support type that can be purchased.
They are returned to the pool after use, you do not see them on the map.
Enemy ships within 4 hexes, or enemy planes within 8 hexes, can interfere with the supply stockpile of a port. Port supplies can be affected by enemy naval and air forces in the area with at least 1 operation point at the end of the turn. The closer the interdicting force is to the port, the higher the chance of success. Friendly naval and air forces within those ranges will protect the incoming supply transport. Their range is irrelevant to the protection level they provide. This means for example that an Allied air unit in Malta will interdict the port of Tripoli, since Malta is 8 hexes from Tripoli.
Succesful Port supply interdiction by enemy Naval units within 4 hexes of a port can lead to the loss of TRANSPORTS (albeit a small chance). I am not sure if this is also true for enemy air units that succesfully interdict.
There is no visual representation of supply convoys going from source to destination port on the map (like there is for resource convoys). Just position your units correctly near a port and the interdiction happens automatically during turn resolution. The combat log contains an entry afterwards if port interdiction has occurred and how succesful it was.
Convoys and Escorts/Merchant Marine:
As opposed to supply convoys, resource convoys (steel, oil) ARE represented on the map. Use the "Trade convoy" toggle to view them.
Land convoys (eg Ploesti oil from Rumania to Germany) are shown with a land route. You can look up details of a land convoy by looking at the Convoys and Escorts screen.
Resource Convoys by sea follow the predetermined lanes shown on the map. By hovering over a lane you can see how many resources pass through that particular lane. For transporting the resources you need MERCHANT MARINE units. This is a type of support unit that can be purchased (like TRANSPORTS that would need for port supply). ESCORTS protect convoys from submarine units attacking them. ESCORTS have no effect on non-submarine naval fleets nor can they be affected by them. ESCORTS can be purchased as a support type unit and exist in a pool. They are never shown on the map. The can be assigned to a seabound resource convoy route by using the convoys and escorts screen.
Remark:
I was somewhat dumbfounded by the "Trade convoys" button. It did not show anything. The button is a little buggy. Not sure how to reproduce this error reliably. When you press the button and the convoys show while playing a game, the button seems to continue working fine during your session. Ending a game and restarting it, can sometimes cause the error. But not consistently it seems.