How does Autoconvoy work?

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> How does Autoconvoy work?

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How does Autoconvoy work? - 3/10/2010 4:45:39 PM

PaulWRoberts

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Joined: 4/22/2001
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Just some questions as I try to set up my first campaign turn (Allied player):

I know that autoconvoy is only for safe areas, so I certainly won't be putting Manila or Hong Kong in the system. But for rear areas where I don't expect the enemy, how does the system actually function?

I understand that autoconvoy is based from Colombo and San Francisco, and that I can put ships into the system at those locations. I know that I designate individual bases to be in the autoconvoy network. From that point forward, things are a little murky.

--Let's say I put all my bases up the west coast of North America into the system. Will the autoconvoy system run dozens of separate convoys from SF to each individual base, or will it see a stockpile of supply and fuel in Juneau and run shorter convoys from there to nearby bases? Likewise, if I designate all the Hawaiian islands for autoconvoy, will it run separate convoys from SF to every island, or will it see the piles at Pearl Harbor and run sort hops from there?

--When I first tried this, I went around scooping up every xAK and xAKL in the hemisphere and sending them Colombo and SF. I'm guessing that this was somewhat too meticulous. How many merchants is it really necessary to keep in the autoconvoy system? How many escorts?

--If I put Perth in the system, will things work out OK in Australia generally? That is, will the eastern cities draw supply along the surface net so that Perth will usually be asking for everything I need for Australia from the autoconvoy system? (Alternately, is Australia self-sufficient enough that I don't even need Perth in the system?)

--Is it necessary to put all the Asian coastal cities (India/Burma) into the AC system, or just pick a few major ports and let it filter out on roads and rail from there?

--I'm planning to put all my big British tankers into CS fuel convoys from Abadan to Colombo. Smaller tankers will go into the autoconvoy system. Does this seem like a good idea?

--I'm planning to send all cargo AK's of endurance > 13000 to Capetown and run CS supply convoys from there to Colombo. Smaller AK's go to Colombo for the autoconvoy system.

Thanks for any advice. As you see, I'm new at this.

Post #: 1

RE: How does Autoconvoy work? - 3/10/2010 5:07:57 PM

moonraker65

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Joined: 7/14/2004
From: Swindon,Wilts. UK
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Make sure you put enough ships at SF & Colombo to cover the bases you want supplied using Autoconvoy. Personally I wouldn't put all the Indian bases on Auto. Put one CS Fuel convoy from Abadan to either Karachi or Bombay. This will help Indian Industry. Make sure you keep Aden topped up with Fuel and Supplies with one CS Convoy of each from Abadan. Also make sure you put AK/AKL/AP at Aden along with some escorts for the re-inforcements that arrive there. You may need to CS Convoy fuel from the Eastern US to Cape Town. You can scale this down once the Supply Convoys that arrive automatically start bringing Fuel instead of Weapons/TOE equipment. Put a couple of CS Supply Convoys and at least One CS Fuel Convoy from Cape Town to Adelaide. This will help Australian Industry. Don't put any West Coast bases on Auto. Use the Supply Suck arrows for this. Only the bases North of Seattle and Vancouver will need Autoconvoy supply. Keep PH topped up with Fuel/Supplies with at least 1 CS Fuel and Supply Convoy from SF. Oops forgot to mention - Put a good few AK's and about 20-25 TK's at Cape Town so that Colombo and Adelaide can be kept topped up with CS Supply (Colombo) and CS Supply/Fuel (Adelaide). Colombo should be kept supplied with Fuel from Abadan.

Tip - I've just started using the Eastern US - Cape Town route for Air Groups/LCU's destined for the South West Pacific theatre. You can then forward them on to Australia from there. Same goes for South East Asia bound units. I use Madras as my inbound reinforcement Port.

DO NOT put Hong Kong, Singapore, the P I, Burma, Borneo, Celebes or the DEI on Autoconvoy. Unless you want to see your AK's/TK's sunk rapidly. Avoid these areas.

< Message edited by moonraker -- 3/10/2010 8:18:39 PM >

(in reply to PaulWRoberts)

Post #: 2

RE: How does Autoconvoy work? - 3/12/2010 1:39:55 AM

PaulWRoberts

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Joined: 4/22/2001
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I'm curious:

Where *do* most Allied players use autoconvoy? The western coast of North America and the western side of India (along with island bases out that way) seem obvious choices.

Do you go as far east as Calcutta? Do you include Java and Sumatra (at least before they are invaded)? Do you include Australia in the system, or just use Continuous Supply convoys for those? Do you run autoconvoys from SF to any islands in the Pacific, or do you use CS for those?

As a beginning player, I'm starting to see that the autoconvoy net will probably be smaller than I expected it to be. What do you think?

< Message edited by Paul Roberts -- 3/12/2010 1:40:04 AM >

(in reply to moonraker65)

Post #: 3

RE: How does Autoconvoy work? - 3/12/2010 8:47:48 AM

moonraker65

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Autoconvoy is useful for most rear areas. It will keep any bases topped up that are put in to the system. The danger is when the Jap AI starts marauding a little further South than normal. Any Autoconvoys that happen to be near the KB or strong Surface Combat TF's will almost certainly be attacked and probably sunk. It pays to keep an eye on where the Jap AI is attacking and try to avoid placing any bases in the vacinity on Auto. I only place Brisbane and Townsville and maybe Cairns on Auto in Australia. Townsville is the tricky one as it doesn't seem to draw supplies and fuel very quickly. You can place most of the Islands South of PH on Auto but watch Canton as that usually gets taken early on. I am using CS convoys more and more these days with Autoconvoy mostly relegated to areas that are absloutely safe. It's really down to personal preference but I'd say use CS Convoys for the most important areas and use Autoconvoy for the rear areas as a rule of thumb.

Use Autoconvoy only for Rear Areas

The most imprtant bases should use CS Convoys

Do not put any West Coast bases on Auto - Use the Supply Suck Arrows - Only bases North of Seattle/Vancouver should use Autoconvoy

Only a few bases in India need to use Autoconvoy - Tivandrum, Cochin, Goa area. All other bases in India can use the Supply Suck arrows. It may pay to keep Chittagong topped up with a CS supply convoy.

Reinforcements (Air/LCU) bound for SW Pacific or South East Asia should go via Eastern US/Cape Town to avoid early Japanese activity along the usual route.

< Message edited by moonraker -- 3/12/2010 8:57:45 AM >

(in reply to PaulWRoberts)

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RE: How does Autoconvoy work? - 3/12/2010 11:09:40 AM

DS Kee

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Joined: 7/13/2002
From: McCordsville, IN USA
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How do most players size their convoys? For instance, when Paul says " Put a couple of CS Supply Convoys and at least One CS Fuel Convoy from Cape Town to Adelaide." How big are these convoys? I'm working on getting my GC started and I would assume that you do something on the order of:

Convoy capacity >= (Supply/Fuel req'd) * (distance traveled) / (convoy speed)

That would get very hairy when you consider someplace like Cape Town that supplies other bases down the line. How do the vets do it?

Thanks,
Warlord2k

(in reply to moonraker65)

Post #: 5

RE: How does Autoconvoy work? - 3/12/2010 11:13:35 AM

moonraker65

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From: Swindon,Wilts. UK
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Again as a rule of thumb - Most CS Convoys I run consist of 10 x AK or TK + 2 Escorts. For the Cape Town - Oz run only use 13k + endurance vessels otherwise they'll have difficulty making the trip.

Tip - Don't use AKL's on anything Long Distance. They just don't have the legs to make the journey.

Cape Town is one of your most important Supply Bases. It can easily supply Australia and Colombo with 6 + CS Convoys running simultaneously. Not to mention being a far safer option than trying to dodge the KB etc on the long run across from the West Coast US.

< Message edited by moonraker -- 3/12/2010 12:07:55 PM >

(in reply to DS Kee)

Post #: 6

RE: How does Autoconvoy work? - 3/13/2010 5:24:52 PM

PaulWRoberts

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Another question, while I'm collecting wisdom:

Why do some bases (Karachi, Bombay, and Goa, for instance) have the autoconvoy option grayed out?

(in reply to moonraker65)

Post #: 7

RE: How does Autoconvoy work? - 3/15/2010 10:23:51 AM

moonraker65

Posts: 556
Joined: 7/14/2004
From: Swindon,Wilts. UK
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I think supplies are generated at Karachi and Bombay. Not sure about Goa. Hence why I suggest CS Convoying Fuel to either Karachi or Bombay to keep Indian Industry on the go.

(in reply to PaulWRoberts)

Post #: 8