How do you stay organized?

[Crimguy]

I decided to put my Rising Sun game on the back burner in favor of the big one - Scenario 15. I enjoyed watching the Japanese walk all over SE Asia, but felt empty knowing I wouldn't get the opportunity to get back at them.

So here I am, on December 8, 1941. Pearl fared pretty well. The Tennessee is on the bottom, but all my other bb's have a shot of being repaired in this millenium.

As I scroll around the map I am reminded just how big this game is. How the heck do you keep it all organized? How do you remember to check on certain areas/cities/bases?

I'm figuring that seldom is forgetting something fatal. This game does, after all, go day by day, and just because you didn't check up on TF 1142 on Tuesday doesn't mean it won't be waiting for you on Wednesday . . .

[mogami]

Hi, I don't claim to be the most organized player around but I think the first step to staying organized is to stop STOP! before you do anything and decide on a plan. Once you have a plan keeping track of things is a lot easier (for me) because I know what is supposed to be going on.

[DeepSix]

I have a plan/loose idea of how I plan to prosecute things -- think BIG arrows -- but I worry about which individual bases to capture as I go (it depends to some extent on what the other guy does, be he human or artificial). The other (geek squad) thing I do is grid off a blank sheet of paper (Excel is handy, too) and tabulate which units I'm sending where. "Can't you do that from within the game?" you may ask. Sort of, yeah, but nowhere is there a tabulated list of what unit assignments are and who's preparing for what, so you can see it all at one glance. That's why I do the sheet -- otherwise I'm always forgetting which TFs to allocate to certain areas. Plus there's always the off-chance one TF will, of its own free will, start unloading on Canton Island for no particular reason at all.[;)] That's my 'system.' It may be goofy and/or unnecessary, but it works for me.[:)]

[Jaws_slith]

Well here is how I do it.

Make a battle plan and take a lot of time for my Setup. (up to 2 or 3 hours….)

Then I start to organize clockwise from San Francisco to Pearl Harbour and all Island between Pearl and Noumea then go South to Sydney etc until I’m back at SF

In each sector I watch first the ships then the planes and at finally the LCU.

I make the priority if I want to hold or evacuate the Philippines, the DEI, Singapore and Rangoon finally I choose my Main Defence Area’s (MDA) (i.e. Noumea).

Main priority as Allies is to defend and get supply to Australia and the MDA’s until the mid/end of 1942)

Once all the units are organized in the Setup every turn is easy to handle (max 45 minutes)

And be careful with your Carriers… If you loose them the Japs can do what ever they want with you as a Allie.[;)]

[BlackVoid]

Just 2-3 hours for first turn?

My first tuns with WITP:
Allies 6-8 hrs
Japan 8-12 hrs

After that its 20-90 mins/turn...

But, I am not organized at all, so I cannot play more than 1 big campaign at any one time. I just go around and check stuff what I remember...

[Dutchgy2000]

ORIGINAL: DeepSix

I have a plan/loose idea of how I plan to prosecute things -- think BIG arrows -- but I worry about which individual bases to capture as I go (it depends to some extent on what the other guy does, be he human or artificial). The other (geek squad) thing I do is grid off a blank sheet of paper (Excel is handy, too) and tabulate which units I'm sending where. "Can't you do that from within the game?" you may ask. Sort of, yeah, but nowhere is there a tabulated list of what unit assignments are and who's preparing for what, so you can see it all at one glance. That's why I do the sheet -- otherwise I'm always forgetting which TFs to allocate to certain areas. Plus there's always the off-chance one TF will, of its own free will, start unloading on Canton Island for no particular reason at all.[;)] That's my 'system.' It may be goofy and/or unnecessary, but it works for me.[:)]

Oh paper, I started doing that... and then I ended up spending half my time organizing my papers instead of organizing my forces [:-] I think we should have gotten a planning staff with the game, or atleast a personal secretary (Patch?.. uhum, and can she upgrade please? [:D] ).

Now I just plan in my head and hope I keep track. If I forget something, ah well.. it´s a war, I don´t expect everything to go smoothly.

[Tom Hunter]

What...?

I drink a lot, then I don't care

[>:]

[Grotius]

First, as Mogami says, I try to make sure I have a strategic plan. This is probably the hardest thing for me. I'm better at thinking tactically than strategically. I like the idea of forcing myself to write down destinations from ground units; I might try that. I find I'm always forgetting to set Prep Points, or at least procrastinating doing so. It's usually because I'm not quite sure of my Grand Strategic Plan.

Second, as Japan, I periodically copy down production information and put it in an Excel spread sheet so that I can see general trends in production. E.g., is Naval Shipyard going up or down?

Third, I try to read the Intel screen thoroughly at the beginning of each turn. I also try to remember to read Sigint at this point too.

Fourth, as either side, I tend to work from one edge of the map to the other. As the Allies, east to west; as Japan, typically west to east.

Fifth, I follow Jaws' method of plotting orders: naval first, air second, ground last. I don't always do it that way; it just seems most natural to me. I figure out where I want ships to go, and then I figure out who's gonna give 'em air cover.

[Mr.Frag]

First, as Mogami says, I try to make sure I have a strategic plan. This is probably the hardest thing for me. I'm better at thinking tactically than strategically.

You have one strategic goal as Japan ... Get Oil and keep it producing for as long as possible.

You have one strategic goal as the Allies ... Knock Japan into the dark ages.

Everything else is tactics [:D]

[Grotius]

You have one strategic goal as Japan ... Get Oil and keep it producing for as long as possible.

You have one strategic goal as the Allies ... Knock Japan into the dark ages.

Everything else is tactics [:D]

Hehe, well, that makes me feel better then.

[scout1]

You have one strategic goal as Japan ... Get Oil and keep it producing for as long as possible.

You have one strategic goal as the Allies ... Knock Japan into the dark ages.

Everything else is tactics

True, but the approaches are uniquely different. The Allies can afford to be clumsy and wasteful (with the passage of time), just like in historical real life. Japan on the other hand needs someone carefully watching their ROI to maximize it, less they lose early (as opposed to losing later). [;)]

[Bill Durrant]

The Allies can afford to be clumsy and wasteful

I knew I'd be good at something in this game

[Mr.Frag]

Japan on the other hand needs someone carefully watching their ROI to maximize it, less they lose early

Absolutely, I have always said that it is up to Japan to loose the game, The Allies do not have the combat power to stop Japan during the early years, but Japan certainly has the ability to give away the game during that time period.

Once again, it comes down to the goal. If it doesn't aid in securing Oil, why are you doing it?

A further breakdown of Japan's one goal is as follows:

a) Get the oil

b) Protect the oil

c) Deny avenues of attack against the oil

And the forth one that you really need to keep in the back of your mind.

d) win the game *if* the Allies are silly enough to let you

This one is only a choice if through playing an over agressive game, they have gifted you this possibility by incurring losses that can not be handled by the massive replacement stream coming to them. ie: sinking large formations of troops, loosing CV's for no gain, etc.

[Charles2222]

Here is my basic approach. I hope it's useful. I would hope there's an easier way, but, here you go:

1. Start at the most recognized base you own (maybe Tokyo or Pearl).
2. Check EVERYTHING you want to check in that hex alone, be it ships going through or stationed there, or production, or air assets, anything.
3. Scroll to the next base and repeat. This is the longest part of my turns dealing with what's in the base hexes. I probably save the game 2 or 3 times when going through bases, and these saves have the name of the next base in the comments, so I'll know where to start next time. when done I make a save with the comment of 'cities' such that I know I'm done with the bases on that save.
4. When through with the base hexes and what are in them, scan over the map and look for TF's not in base hexes and maybe put the cursor over them to see if they're doing what you expect them to. There is a map that can show all or some of your forces, such that you don't have to be pre-occupied with what recon is spotting on the reports, but actually go to them. You of course want to note where any enemy TF's are showing up too.
5. Go through all army units which aren't in bases and decide what to do with them. If you're like me this is the easiest part because there's not too many forces I'm switching their tasks on for any given turn. Make sure on this portion of the turn that you don't forget about land units in hexes which you do not control the base, and of course since you don't control the base the base scrolling won't work here from earlier, but you can just pick out the ones that are like this and adjust anything in them.

Numbers 4-5 I don't even bother with a save for, because they don't take very long, with the only exception being that I save the game when I've finished for the turn, with the comment of 'end'.

Only problem I seem to encounter is that when I'm getting off the base I'm currently checking, say to send cargo there from somewhere else, I might forget what base I was on in the first place. That can easily be solved with a better memory (yeah, the kind in your head) or just punching up a save real quick with the original base's name in the comments.

[bradfordkay]

I have a couple of tricks I use. First, (playing as allies so far), I look at everything in the Pearl Harbor area (since that is where the game defaults to as a initial base on view), then swing over to US west coast and Alaska, then I check the convoys headed to SoPac and Australia, then look at Oz and New Guinea, then Northern Oz/DEI/PI/Malaya (while they still exist), then CBI theatre. Occaisionally I will miss a unit or base, but I've developed such a routine that it doesn't happen often.

I also keep a small paper notebook with important notes (sending 1 MAW to Luganville, Akagi TF sighted 120nm NE Batavia, etc), these notes are listed chronologically for easier understanding.

[Graccus]

Perhaps something to ponder as the Japanese player when planning your strategy.



Here's an analysis from the excellent book Total War. Vol 2 The Greater East Asia and Pacific Conflict

"In 1941 [Japan] possessed 5.3 million tons of shipping; about 35% of Japanese trade had been carried in foriegn vessels...
In 1942 The Japanese lost over a million tons of shipping... By 1943 they were forced to replace their dwindling merchant fleet with wooden ships...

Japan had risked war for the sake of obtaining raw materials under its flag; but, when this was brought about, it could not transport them. It had the intense mortification of being in possession in the South Seas of one of the richest economic units in the world, but of being unable to enjoy its usufruct. The iron, the coal, the bauxite, nickel, tin, maganese, lead, salt, graphite, potash, all the vital materials of war, were all of them technically Japanese, guarded by Japanese troops, but they lay as useless to Japan as though they were in the hands ofthe enemy, because they could not be transported.

Japan's plight is vividly shown by one figure. In 1940, before the war, it bought and imported three million tons of iron ore from the Phillipines and Malaya... By 1942, though its troops had absolute control over the iron mines, it managed to carry just over 100,00 tons of iron ore from these territories to Japan. Worse, they had neglected their shipyards, which were ill equipped and antiquated, and these were clogged, in the middle of 1943, by a fifth of the entire merchant marine undergoing repair."

[Charles2222]

Actually when I described the method I used, I didn't mean to say "scroll to the next base', what I meant was to hit the 'next base' option. The next base may be all the way across the map, but as you are only adjusting base hexes it doesn't matter. It's too bad there's not any 'next TF' option in this game, but seeing how TF's are so territorial anyway it might not be that useful.

[erstad]

I'm now running four PBEMs, including two where the opponents are, well, "irregular." In addition to using many of the previous techniques listed, I have a spiral notebook for each PBEM (great chance to use all those odds and ends of notebooks my kids have left over each school year - because clearly they couldn't be seen reusing a notebook!)

I write a fair number of notes to myself, reminding me of things I need to do. For example, if I'm sending a transport TF to hold in a particular location before I direct it to the final destination, it gets a note. If I'm transferring air multiple hops I write a "Zeros @ Davao" note so I don't forget they're there. I also scribble stuff down during the combat replay as things occur to me (more CAP in Rangoon. Stand down Lae bombers. Find the transport the sub torpedoed and redirect to nearest big port). I also note upcoming air/naval reinforcements so I don't forget to use them when they arrive.

I find if one of my games goes on hiatus for a week or so, this is the only way I can keep track of things. Heck, at my age, I would forget half this stuff overnight.

[freeboy]

Mogami method HAVE A PLAN..
then go area to area..

then use the features the game allows.. list all ships etc... and finally if you wantto not have to do what I fdo, now that I have hundered of air groups in avout 8 major bases in three hot zones... use time related stickes..
I just always check my task forces and subs/ bombers every couple of turns if I have not already been fine tuning them..
an example would be .. I know ship x is getiing the floatation damage fixed and fires put out from the last battle.. I also know it will take several days... so do I check every day.. know.. but here is the rtub.. if I do not make a note, and I never do, I risk forgeting about it.. as a precation I check on all my ports with capital ships as part of a rutine which include status of heavy bombers , supplies and if in attack by land mode the exact situation and orders to give...

getting a rythm that suites you is very important.... no one way is RIGHT.. just found many errors I wass making corrected by checking the little things.. for instance aviation support.. hq support for fleet bases and large air bases .. etc.. I hope this makes sense[;)]

[Williamb]

Im just starting to get a handle on how this is played.

leaving aside Production will focus on the two main areas I think in the game based on geography. Namely Bases and Production.

KNOW what places produce ! Control of the production centers is key in this game especialy for the Japanese. For the Allies keep the Japanese at bay as long as possible to the resources they need to win.

BASES LEARN THEM ! need a good sub base ? Find out which ones qualify. Need a good bomber base ? look for the ones that already exist or cover important areas. Need a transit base for your supplies ? Check to see the ones that cant be interdicted easily and can be defended easy.

Advance in reasonable bounds. Hit the beaches with your troops but get them aircover and naval cover for the eventual counter attacks. If the enemy attacks a base the next few days are the OPTIMUM time for a counter strike. But watch for traps !

Bases like Kendari and Victoria Point or Kuantan or Baker Island are important for the Japanese as they allow the easier interdiction of alied supplies and reinforcements.

Watch your air umbrella and the enemies. Thinking your Ok without knowing where the Japanese betties are can catch a fleet unawares.

as Allies GO SLOW ! no rush to get to strike back. It was August of 1942 before the Allies counterattacked with ground troops at Guadacanal. Take your time even if the Japanese tide seems to be rolling. Your carriers are needed primary to keep japanese Predators from savaging US supply lanes too and from the US early on. the KB cant swing too far for too long to the east or they risk running down out of fuel or ammo. Hunker down for the first month or so dont worry about waiting even if you have to keep fleets in San Fransico for a month !

As the japanese PUSH FORWARD but at a reasonable pace. WATCH FOR THOSE ALLIED CD UNITS ! there is where your navy can get hurt. Some places you cant avoid them but in others find a way around even if it takes time.

Watch for the two early road blocks of Phillipines and Singapore. you will conquer them but it will take some time. POUND their air ! dont relent on that ! you need to grind down their planes and air bases so they cant develope enough for a threat.

COVER landings with air ! either ground based or carrier. The allies only have 2 CVs near Pearl and 1 CVL in Sri lanka. These cant go head to head with the KB or other japanese CVs.

for Sub warfare each has their own goals. Allied subs have to interdict Japanese landing ships and supply convoys. the japanese have to interdict Allied supply convoys. For the japanese WAIT here ! uses your sub based planes as scouts ! they can spot allied ships leaving harbor and this will get past on to subs in deeper waters ! they are the ones that will then interdict by moving into place.

For the alies its the catalinas and other patrol aircraft that have to set you up. Watch for their ship movements then interdict.

Well all I can think of right now LOL