Matrix Games Forums

This thread will, I really hope, help noobies and people like me of very little brain, to understand the foibles, complexities and irritations that is the convoy, production and oil saving phases.

This is not designed to tell someone how best to play the game and where to position convoys (that is for a player to learn), but it is designed to maximise income given whatever convoys and factories are in play. In other words, to try and ensure a player can get the points that his or her play deserves, without losing points to the vagaries of the system.

I will begin posting as soon as I get the chance.

Right, the game is set up. Before I start playing through the first turn, is there anything you would do with regards the convoys pre-end of turn phase?

I support your initiative!
Did you consider to start this thread in the Subforum "WIF School" instead?

Perhaps posting a picture on the convoy lines to check that getting it to full production is possible?

xxxxxx

This is my latest convoy routing for maximum CW, and French, production. Only one more CP is needed in the West Med for me to be completely happy with it. The only important resource that is not transported here is the New Caledonia resource that France could use.

ORIGINAL: Angeldust2

I support your initiative!
Did you consider to start this thread in the Subforum "WIF School" instead?

warspite1

If the thread is successful and does what I hope, then hopefully it can be added as a sticky anywhere any one likes.

ORIGINAL: Orm

Perhaps posting a picture on the convoy lines to check that getting it to full production is possible?

warspite1

At the end of the turn I will post the convoys so they can be checked - there is no point posting now because u-boats etc may alter what is transferred.

Secondly, remember this NOT about maximising production. That is something that players will learn with experience. This IS about ensuring that the maximum that a player's convoy chain allows to be received, is received by the program.

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Orm

Perhaps posting a picture on the convoy lines to check that getting it to full production is possible?

warspite1

At the end of the turn I will post the convoys so they can be checked - there is no point posting now because u-boats etc may alter what is transferred.

Secondly, remember this NOT about maximising production. That is something that players will learn with experience. This IS about ensuring that the maximum that a player's convoy chain allows to be received, is received by the program.

Agreed. I will try to make a good description on how I get maximum production. Don't forget: I make all decisions at the preliminary production planning phase (not at the final production planning phase, since at that point there are things you cannot change anymore).

ORIGINAL: Centuur

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Orm

Perhaps posting a picture on the convoy lines to check that getting it to full production is possible?

warspite1

At the end of the turn I will post the convoys so they can be checked - there is no point posting now because u-boats etc may alter what is transferred.

Secondly, remember this NOT about maximising production. That is something that players will learn with experience. This IS about ensuring that the maximum that a player's convoy chain allows to be received, is received by the program.

Agreed. I will try to make a good description on how I get maximum production. Don't forget: I make all decisions at the preliminary production planning phase (not at the final production planning phase, since at that point there are things you cannot change anymore).

I guess I'll do the same, so we can compare notes and determine whose truly the master. [:D]

Okay so Turn one is about to come to an end. I suggest we first look at my bete noire (and I sure many people's).

The following are the Convoys in place for the British and French.

There follows the Production planning forms. These are not amended.

Commonwealth

Please shout if these numbers are unclear

Commonwealth

Obviously there may be more or less demand for oil depending on personal preference, but given that oil can be easily saved in situ, let's assume that production is to be maximised and allow for some assistance to the French.

France

France

ORIGINAL: rkr1958

ORIGINAL: Centuur

ORIGINAL: warspite1

warspite1

At the end of the turn I will post the convoys so they can be checked - there is no point posting now because u-boats etc may alter what is transferred.

Secondly, remember this NOT about maximising production. That is something that players will learn with experience. This IS about ensuring that the maximum that a player's convoy chain allows to be received, is received by the program.

Agreed. I will try to make a good description on how I get maximum production. Don't forget: I make all decisions at the preliminary production planning phase (not at the final production planning phase, since at that point there are things you cannot change anymore).

I guess I'll do the same, so we can compare notes and determine whose truly the master. [:D]

warspite1

Right, no hair pulling, no spitting, no gouging... I want a good clean fight to see who is the master [;)].

Over to you Centuur and rkr1958. It's the preliminary production phase - so how do you work your magic? And please, make it a truly step by step guide. This needs to be idiot proof so that even I can understand it.

this is GREAT thanks!

Can we have a saved game, please? That will make it easier for me to document how to get maximum production.

Tomorrow after the "office hours at home" your on...

ORIGINAL: Centuur

Can we have a saved game, please? That will make it easier for me to document how to get maximum production.

Tomorrow after the "office hours at home" your on...

what he said. [:D]

Q: not certain this is relevant to the post's goals, but are the Australian resources not usually sent to Canada via the Pacific? Also, maximizing UK production can be done with only 21 rp at this point with. 5 production multiple... this may allow extra French resources (Hanoi), although the French multiple may see no improvement either.

ORIGINAL: rkr1958

ORIGINAL: Centuur

Can we have a saved game, please? That will make it easier for me to document how to get maximum production.

Tomorrow after the "office hours at home" your on...

what he said. [:D]

warspite1

Gents, we have different versions so I'm not sure that would work. What I was hoping for was that you could provide the mechanics of removing defaults and overrides etc. I would then do the heavy lifting in terms of implementing what needs to be done and can post whatever screenshots are required along the way.

ORIGINAL: craigbear

Q: not certain this is relevant to the post's goals, but are the Australian resources not usually sent to Canada via the Pacific? Also, maximizing UK production can be done with only 21 rp at this point with. 5 production multiple... this may allow extra French resources (Hanoi), although the French multiple may see no improvement either.

warspite1

This thread is not interested in maximising production in each and every turn. That is for a player to learn. It is interested in ensuring a player can have confidence in operating the system so that whatever production should be available (from the convoys he/she set up and that survive enemy interdiction) are available - and not have some lost because the program insists on using 10 convoys (and totally destroying a convoy route) where 1 should be able to do the work.

I have no confidence in it, I don't understand all the default, override stuff and I have lost pleasure in playing the game because I can't face battling this, fun-sucking vampire element of the game, at the end of every turn. Other players have said the same thing and the game has lost players as a result.

BUT encouragingly, other players, such as rkr1958 and Centuur have said they've got the convoy, production, oil system working (or working well enough) for them.

Great. So let's see how its done and what new players (and old ones who have lost the will) can do to restore the fun and in some cases, give this great game another chance.

That is the goal of this thread*


*Also as I work through the game, I can report the various oil loss issues I've encountered with both Allies (Commonwealth) and Axis (Germany/Italy) powers.