Slitherine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

As I just caught up on this AAR, please forgive me for returning to a topic from a few pages back, namely, the long setup time for the first Japanese turn.

I have always wished for a setup phase in which the Japanese player can, within reasonable limits, place units in accordance with his plans. I know the "magic movement" can sort of be used to accomplish this, but it still requires taking stock of scattered units. To me, it's much easier to say, I have XX divisions in Southern Area Army, where do I want them? Back in the days of board games, setup was crucial. Given that the Japanese player is the government (whereas the Allied player takes on the role of a theater commander), setup flexibility seems reasonable. I would even think it ok to designate HQs that bases report to without paying PPs. Pulling units from restricted commands for free would be unrealistic, however.

I doubt a setup phase is contemplated for AE, but could this be modded by changing the starting locations for units? How easy would it be for a Japanese player to create one or more "mods" where the only difference is unit start locations (e.g. SE Pac variant, India invasion, etc.)?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Local Yokel

Sorry to hear about your tooth YH, and hope you're on the mend - sounds as though it's a bit worse than something oil of cloves would help with as a palliative.

I have difficulty in understanding why empty bunkers should lead to system damage. I appreciate that without steerage you're liable to be slapped by beam seas, but it shouldn't be beyond your crews' wit to rig a drogue.

For that matter, I can't really see any rationale for ships being retreated away from their home base: "Hey, Toshio, we've been hit - let's head for Pearl."

quote:

ORIGINAL: Yamato hugger

Dec 14th more of the same. A few of my ships got into a deathtrap at Singkawang because ships dont move towards their home base when they retreat from a combat, so instead of retreating NE or NW towards Cam Rahn Bay, they have been retreating SW and the next move phase puts them right back in Singkawang where they fight again and retreat SW again, then move back into Singkawang, then retreat SW ect. Not exactly sure how the retreats are calculated.

Admiralty Islands fell to a fragment of the 66th and an eng company. Base construction starting. Hong Kong fell. 48th and 16th division closing on Clark from the north. Should be in the base next turn. Going to try to direct his retreat AWAY from Bataan to see if I can by not occupying Cabanatuan (east of Clark). 33rd div closing on Batangas (just south of Manila). Not sure if they will arrive next turn or the turn after. Wake invasion force should hit the beach next turn. Tarawa fell to a single support squad of the 52nd.

This is what happens when you run out of fuel at sea:
(ships will continue to accumulate damage until it sinks or gets fuel)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mistmatz

If players don't want the uncertainty of the PH result they can agree on a replay beforehand. That way you get the result you want and have plenty of room for those who prefer the randomness of the attack.

After all PH was just a single incident that turned out the way it did. It could have been any other result as well, like a total disaster or a total success. It just happened to be a mediocre result that we take as a guideline and expect to be reproduced by the game.

But this is not about replaying history, if you want that, read a book. The game has to be within historical plausible boundaries, thats all. Comparing to real history leads you nowhere because you're not replaying history, nor can you with a (any) game.

quote:

ORIGINAL: pad152

Is this just for barges of all ships?? To me this just makes barges useless if I have to use DD's to escort them, just so they don't run out of fuel!

If you want random events to sink things, then barges in bad weather is fine or a barge breaks lose and floats away. Better yet have barges lose cargo if they run out of fuel, things wash over board.

"To meaningless French Idealism, Liberty, Fraternity and Equality...we answer with German Realism, Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery" -Prince von Bülov, 1870-

quote:

ORIGINAL: pad152

Is this just for barges of all ships?? To me this just makes barges useless if I have to use DD's to escort them, just so they don't run out of fuel!

If you want random events to sink things, then barges in bad weather is fine or a barge breaks lose and floats away. Better yet have barges lose cargo if they run out of fuel, things wash over board.

quote:

ORIGINAL: pad152

I doubt sending AO - Oilers with barges is a good idea. Japan used barges not only because they were short of shipping but, for penny-packet reinforcements and supply of foward bases under seige, sliping under the noses undetected by allied air/naval search. Having to escort barges defeats this purpose by making them sickout like a sore thumb! Have to create fuel dumps/bases along the way sort of defeats the purpose of using barges, costing more to use then supplies delivered!

I'm not sure I like the idea of ships sinking them selves just because of low fuel.

Are points scored for barges sunk or a way to track those sunk/lost?
Are barges now unlimited (you can always make more)?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Yamato hugger

quote:

ORIGINAL: pad152

Is this just for barges of all ships?? To me this just makes barges useless if I have to use DD's to escort them, just so they don't run out of fuel!

If you want random events to sink things, then barges in bad weather is fine or a barge breaks lose and floats away. Better yet have barges lose cargo if they run out of fuel, things wash over board.

Its all ships, the smaller they are (as it appears to me) the faster they accumulate damage. You can put PBs in with barges, you can also stick an AO in with them. Frankly a PB is good as you want an escort with them or a sub can shell them to death whereas it isnt going to touch them with a torp.

That was 2 or 3 days of running without fuel. And I have yet to get barges into the fray. They might be useful in China in the rivers, I havent tried that yet.

quote:

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

But in stock I have used the barges to carry supply far beyond their "range". I have often used them to carry supply from Paramushiro to Kiska for example. The barges in stock perform this mission just fine. And of course they have to make the return trip as well - they are "in the red" during 90% of this journey with no ill effects. I tell myself they are "hoisting sail" !!! to offer myself an explanation of this behavior.

I haven't tried this in AE. If the barges take damage when out of fuel like other warships - then the "hoisting sail" trick will not work in AE.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Yamato hugger

The KB arrived in Truk today and also other fleet units that will make up the escort of my 3 main carrier groups, but as you see, bases can only service so many ships a day. I will have to wait another day or 2 to refuel and reload them before going out again.




I have replaced all my shorter ranged scouts on my BBs and cruisers with Jakes and Alfs except those at sea with the CVLs (12 Petes on a CS and 2 Daves on the Haruna). This will allow me the freedom to use my Vals as bombers rather than search planes. I include a CS with each of my carrier forces except 1 which has the Tone and Chikuma in it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: pad152

So if your ships had 0 fuel and could not refuel due to this limit would they start taking damage?

quote:

ORIGINAL: pad152

So if your ships had 0 fuel and could not refuel due to this limit would they start taking damage?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Yamato hugger

Heres a handy workaround I have found:

You will see that I just entered Alor Star with 3 units. The NE hexside is red (Jap controlled) while the east and SE are green (other guy controlled). I give the artillery and the armor unit orders to move to the next base (Georgetown) while the remaining infantry unit goes combat mode and will attack the base.

"But you cant move to the next base because of the green hexside" you AFBs cry! This is true, the units ordered to move are moving to the north east (you can see the little movement direction indicator on the unit), but worry not JFBs, after you take the base, NEXT turn all those hex sides will be red, and although the units will still be heading NE, when you re-order them to move to Georgetown, they will point south east like they should and the miles they went THIS turn doesnt re-set. So you are basically getting a "free move". The armor unit will probably move about 15 miles. So you can seriously speed up your advance if the allied player does a "Sir Robin" on you like this.




The bulk of the 18th and 5th divisions are in rail mode sitting in Singora while I advance with these 3 units.

Note: This tactic is only useable by JFBs. AFBs arent allowed.