Matrix Games Forums

Hello

Just wanted to see if anyone has constructed new ships, either as Japan or the Allies, and whether or not its a good spend.

Battle and Carrier groups are costly and slow to build, so I question whether its a good investment as they won't be on the line until 1943/1944 even if started soon into the game.

Cruisers and Destroyers are cheaper and faster to build but have weaker stats - so I don't know if you are better of just building airplanes.

None of my PBEM games have reached 1944 yet and against the AI you can do whatever you want with good effectiveness but I've found it easy enough to stockpile enough production to start two new carriers early in 1942 as Japan. You could get four air wings for a similar price but they're less flexible and much more defensive. Having 4 carriers come online in late 43/early 44 feels like it give more freedom to be aggressive for longer as losing some carriers isn't quite as devastating a blow.

Battleships I'm less convinced by as the US should have enough of them already and for Japan they're an extravagance once you lose carrier superiority.

Unless the naval war is incredibly bloody both sides probably aren't building many more cruiser/destroyer groups. I like to build a bunch of MTB's as the Americans so they can just blockade every port on the map in 1944 though.

Thanks for the response.

That makes sense, more carriers means you don't have to be so conservative and can keep pushing for longer.

Also carriers are more fun and interesting than air groups.

I am not sure it is worth while. By the time you get them you won't have enough oil to use them. If the Japanese are doing so well that they still have control of their overseas oil they probably don't need ships anyway.

As Japanese, I am trying to have one more CV than the ones planned.

Also buying some DD groups to protect my convoys. Don't forget the Sub Hunter bonus. Japanese must protect their convoy lanes. Don't do the same mistake against the US subs.

Ok I'm assuming you want 10 escorts to max out 10/10 in the two lanes

Escorts yes but DD groups also for the Sub Hunter bonus