Another idea for the upcoming patch and the new scenarios.

[String]

A month or two ago I suggested a new scenario for the new megapatch. I've had some time to think about it and I realised that it might be even more fun if the japanese production was turned on.
The following was meant with the British/French/Dutch vs. Japanese scenario

Let me explain.

Currently there is little incentive for the japanese player to move his merchantships except to supply his outer garrisons. If the production were to be turned on however, and the majority of resources was to be left outside of Japan, even outside the initial japanese zone of influence then the japanese player would be forced to go after them and start a nice convoy service which could be intercepted by subs and surface raiders.

You might ask what would the HI be used if there is so little AC production. Well, even in WitP the AC production only accounts to about 15%-20% (together with engines etc.) of full HI usage. The vast majority of it is actually used by armament factories and most importantly Naval and Merchant shipyards.

Which brings me to another point. Those naval and merchant yards could be easily used to simulate the japanese successes (or failures) at conducting the war. Hundreds of new ships could be added to the pipelines, at first unbuildable because of the time constraints and lack of building capacity. But when the war goes well and the HI capacity is increased by conquests and be expanded by the influx of new resources, then quite a few ships could be accelerated, providing the japanese with a nice wartime output

This would ofcourse require skillful management from the japanese player, so a industry off scenario, without the additional ships should also be added.

[Tankerace]

This was actually along lines I was thinking doing, as for some time since release I have wanted to do production versions of the campaigns.  However, with the wealth of new squadrons and aircraft coming, more HI would be used than what would be used now (though still nowhere near WitP.)  As to additional ships, it seems to me it should remain as with the Super Dreadnoughts scenarios, in that if the Japanese player can do it right he can have the really big never weres, but if he can't he may end up with a historic 1920s fleet of nothing bigger than the Nagatos. (Or at least no Amagis or extra carriers).
 
I'll know more when I begin actual scenario construction late next week when the OOB is finalized.
 
 
I also think the production on would bring out all the capabilities of the AMC, as with the few DC equipped destroyers Japan receives, it cannot hope to guard every convoy carrying oil and resources out of the SRA. And so, free roaming AMCs can wreak havoc on the interior supply lines of the Japanese, far away and behind the true battle lines. This will force the Japanese to either rethink expansion, or commit fast battlecruisers and armored cruisers to catch and stop the AMCs (BBs and OBBs being too slow and CLs to undergunned.... think of HMAS Sydney).
 
Conversly, AMCs operating off the US or Hawaii, out of aircraft range, could wreak havoc on US troop movements, supply lines, and a/c reinforcements, and also delay US offensives, and with the limited British naval prescence at the beginning, a few AMCs in the Indian Ocean could be devestating to supply efforts to the various island bases in that region, nullifying any swift British response once committed.
 
As Robin Williams said..... could be fun[:D]

[String]

Imo additional (non-historic) destroyers and merchant ships should be added to the pipeline with a long delay. My previous WPO experience has showed that the attrition of destroyer forces is particurlary heavy.

[JagdFlanker]

i agree with the extra jap DD's as the war goes on would be nice to help keep the game going for the duration if japan takes a licking early. 4 years is a looooong time!

[Rysyonok]

In my current Cautionaries game IJN destroyer losses are staggering. As of 4/3/1923 IJN has 38 Active, 63 Sunk, and 5 Upcoming DDs.
 
Then again, let's remember WW2. Losing tons of merchant ships and DDs did not stop IJN from concentrating on large ships until it was way too late.