A Few Questions

[John S]

Still relatively new. Here are a few questions which can be answered by reference to the question number ---

1) Fleet Exercise. I have seen how this improves the crew quality. Is there any real need to personally play the encounter out? I have turned it over to the computer and sat back. I recognize that I could use this to develop my personal tactical skills but I think I sort of have them already. Am I losing anything re crew experience or other benefits by not being hands on during the exercise? (my boredom level is not so good when nothing is at stake).

2) I have noticed a few times when war is declared that my opponent seems to start out with (or acquires a few turns later) a lot of unexplained victory points - I mean like thousands. I am not blockaded - in fact I am blockading him - He has only gained a few points from merchants sunk and I have won every battle. Any hint as to where these mysterious victory points come from? Is it supposed to be some reflection on the ground combat?

3) When Allies join the war (and, no, the problem identified in #2 above has happened when I have no allies), when we win the war do they get benefits that I don't see? When I acquire territory from the defeated nation, I have seen what I get but I never seen what the ally got. Is that because they got nothing or is it because the game does not give you that info? (or am I missing a pull down?)

4) When I am in a battle, I sometimes notice a red circle like a bullseye somewhere on the map. What is that?

Thanks for any help. Much appreciated. This is a pretty fun game. Just the right level of detail and complexity and historical understanding. It has got me back to reading a lot of the technical books re warships and design during this period.

[WLRoo]

1. Not as far as I am aware.

2. The AI is probably dominating in sea zones where your forces are inadequate. Read the end of tun messages carefully to see which colonies are under a local blockade.

3. You will see a message if the ally takes territories, not so sure about if ships are taken. You don't get a message about repatriations/tribute if the ally doesn't (or can't) take territory.

4. This is the objective marker. It works slightly differently depending on the mission:
Bombardment - target is at centre of red bullseye
Convoy - target is near the bullseye but not necessarily in the bullseye
Raid - targets must be within 100 Nautical Miles of the centre of the bullseye