Matrix Games Forums

Hi all,

I'm definitely confused on the surface task forces and the react option. The only task forces that I've seen react to anything in my AI games are the CV task forces.

When it comes to surface forces, I have only had them initiate combat if they arrive at a destination on the same night as an opposing task force, or if I just leave them on patrol in the same hex that an opposing task force enters.

I'm assuming from some of the other threads on this forum (currently denisonh's thread) that you can have a surface task force waiting near a hex and that it can react to opponent's forces entering that hex. How do I set these up? Please be specific, as I'm still relatively new to this.

Example: I own Irau. Japan AI owns Lunga. I want to interdict shipping to Lunga. I currently set surface (or bombardment) task forces to move from Irau to Lunga with react on and retire allowed. Is it possible for me to have that same task force just wait at Irau and it will react automatically to Lunga when it detects other task forces entering Lunga? If so, what are the settings I need to have on my surface task force?

Thanks!!!

The delete function does not work

Hi, Surface TF's only react to friendly bases. (If you place a TF at Waupuko for example. It could react to Irau if a Japanese TF moves there. (Check the range circles. The TF will only react to bases inside it's range.)
You will never react to an enemy base. (You have to order your TF's there)

These points are important when planning your course of action. It is wise to capture or build bases within "reaction" range of one another.

Thanks, Mogami.

That helps a lot. Now I know how to stop bombardment and invasion forces attacking newer bases that don't have airfields up and running. It's tough to see a surface force on station at a new base get chewed up by LBA, especially when the game has a function to help with this.

Now, more questions. Lets say that I own Lunga, Rennel Is, Vila, and Munda. Will a surface force on station at Lunga react to any of my other bases, or do I tell it to react to only a specific base? I assume that it will react to any base within range.

Originally posted by Jocko
Thanks, Mogami.

That helps a lot. Now I know how to stop bombardment and invasion forces attacking newer bases that don't have airfields up and running. It's tough to see a surface force on station at a new base get chewed up by LBA, especially when the game has a function to help with this.

Now, more questions. Lets say that I own Lunga, Rennel Is, Vila, and Munda. Will a surface force on station at Lunga react to any of my other bases, or do I tell it to react to only a specific base? I assume that it will react to any base within range.

From the Manual (Page 27)

8.6 Mission Types and Their Impact on Movement

- React to Defend Friendly Base - The TF will move to defend a friendly base that is occupied by friendly forces (supplies and/or troops) from any enemy TF that is spotted moving into the friendly base hex. The TF will immediately move to the base hex if it is within one movement phase’s maximum speed of the base at the moment the enemy TF enters the base hex. After a TF reacts to defend a friendly base, it automatically resets its Patrol/Retreat Status to Retirement Allowed. This guideline lets a TF patrolling within 12 hours steaming distance of a friendly base to move in to protect the base whe intelligence reveals an imminent attack. However, a TF may react to an enemy TF that appears to be moving to a base but not actually engage the enemy TF. This can occur if the enemy TF follows the “avoid potential surface combat” guideline and doesn’t actually move into the base hex.

So, "Will a surface force on station at Lunga react to any of my other bases?" Yes.