Where to begin?

[MarkShot]

I finished reading the manual and doing the tutorials last night. What scenario/variant and side would be good for me to start with? Thanks.

[Duck Doc]

Mark,

I started with Pearl Harbor. I thought if I could manage to learn how to launch strikes squadron by squadron it would really help me learn the game. I played one last evening & now it is back to the tutorial & manual to answer all the questions that came up.

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

I finished reading the manual and doing the tutorials last night. What scenario/variant and side would be good for me to start with? Thanks.

[CTB123]

Pearl Harbor and Wake island are definitely easier to start with.  As for side, personal preference.  Of course if you play Pearl Harbor as the US with the Historical variant, there won't be as much for you to do.  [:)]

Coral Sea is a great scenario, with lots of cat and mouse to be played, but I might wait until you get a few games under your belt.  I find the US side a little more interesting to play, but again, go with whatever side you are interested in.

Tony

[JD Walter]

Hi Markshot,

I recommend Coral Sea:

1. It has excellent balance, winnable by either side, and by the AI;

2. American radar and CAP advantage (slight) are matched by superior Japanese strike range and pilot quality;

3. Active storm fronts are always present and teach you the value of being properly positioned to take advantage of cloud cover;

4. One side does not possess a clear superiority over the other (as the Japanese do at Pearl Harbor, or the Americans do in the Marianas offensive);

5. Forces are fairly evenly matched, the Japanese CV count being nullified by the requirement to escort their TR invasion fleet against Port Moresby and provide sufficient CAP to prevent the TR's from being aborted;

6. The relative distinctions and strengths of each side's carrier force can be most clearly discovered & discerned in this scenario. (At Midway, the Japanese CV superiority makes it difficult to do better than trade CV's 1:1; at the Mariana's, the Japanese pilot inferiority handicaps their strike force).