Naval Search?

[redrum68]

What is the best way to try to engage surface fleets that are raiding convoy lines? I read some of what's in the manual but its a bit hard to follow in terms of the various factors and the tables on pg 79-80. Is it best to use 1 large fleet or many small fleets to try to attack them? Do surface or sub or carrier fleets do best in finding and engaging them?

[heliodorus04]

Subs can't do anything to other subs here, except "spot" for other ships/aircraft.
Surface ships can't do much, and are not very useful.

Carriers and land-based air power will damage subs well.
I forgot to add: get 10 escorts on your resource routes and the amount of losses you will suffer to subs will go down considerably (and don't forget detection research).

[AlvaroSousa]

put up to a max of 10 escorts in a lane
Park DDs and CVs in that lane to give the escorts bonuses
Use land based air from Greenland and Iceland to attack those subs.
Buy MMs

[redrum68]

Sorry to clarify the question was about searching/engaging surface fleets not subs but appreciate the tips for handling subs.

[boldairade]

following

also, clarification: carriers are still supposed to be able to launch air strikes vs subs? i thought that was removed? mine certainly cannot.

[Nirosi]

No it was changed 2 or 3 patchs ago. CVs now follow the same rules as surface units for attacking subs. So only if the subs are in port or if they "touch" a sea hex. They do give a small extra 2% to escorts on sea lanes within 25 hexes however.

[redrum68]

Yeah, I noticed the same about CVs which feels a little odd since land based air can but I'm guessing its some sort of game balance issue.

Still wondering what players do to try to successfully search/engage enemy surface fleets that are raiding convoy lines?

[boldairade]

ORIGINAL: redrum68

Yeah, I noticed the same about CVs which feels a little odd since land based air can but I'm guessing its some sort of game balance issue.

Still wondering what players do to try to successfully search/engage enemy surface fleets that are raiding convoy lines?

so am i my friend. I'm currently getting my head kicked in in a MP game as the allies in the BOA.

[redrum68]

so am i my friend. I'm currently getting my head kicked in in a MP game as the allies in the BOA.

Yeah, I've been following your AAR (which btw is excellent!) but does seem that the BOA has been quite brutal as well as the attempted defense of Malta.

[CHINCHIN]

ORIGINAL: redrum68

What is the best way to try to engage surface fleets that are raiding convoy lines? I read some of what's in the manual but its a bit hard to follow in terms of the various factors and the tables on pg 79-80. Is it best to use 1 large fleet or many small fleets to try to attack them? Do surface or sub or carrier fleets do best in finding and engaging them?

It depends on how big the fleet to intercept is. In the convoy attack report you see the number of enemy ships. I try to intercept first with a fleet of CV and DD, and then with a large fleet of BB and CA. If the enemy is not very large, I divide the fleets into several, the case is that they are superior to the enemy.

[redrum68]

It depends on how big the fleet to intercept is. In the convoy attack report you see the number of enemy ships. I try to intercept first with a fleet of CV and DD, and then with a large fleet of BB and CA. If the enemy is not very large, I divide the fleets into several, the case is that they are superior to the enemy.

Thanks for the input. Any particular reason you use your CV fleets first? And generally I had the same idea of breaking up my BB/CA fleets to just be slightly superior to the enemy as I figured more attacks are better than fewer attacks with large surface fleets. Also any thoughts on using subs against them?