Quick about CVs??

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

Quick about CVs??

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Uncommon Valor - Campaign for the South Pacific >> Quick about CVs??

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Quick about CVs?? - 3/6/2003 1:43:30 AM

AUY2K

Posts: 22
Joined: 2/21/2003
Status: offline

First off let me tell you that I am new to this game and I don't have all the particulars down yet.

I have completed the 1st scenario on easy. I lost both of my CVs but I still was able to win the scenario.

I restarted the 1st scenario but this time I put the difficulty level on Historical, I put both CVs in one TF and did not attempt to head north of Gili Gili with the air combat TF. My air combat TF was still put out of commission on or about the 6th day of the scenario.

How do I utilize the air combat TF with out putting it in harms way? It seems like the IJN and air force keep knocking the crap out of my CVs.

Post #: 1

- 3/6/2003 2:00:41 AM

Feinder

Posts: 6589
Joined: 9/4/2002
From: Land o' Lakes, FL
Status: offline

The USN player is probably NOT going to be able to complete "Coral Sea" without getting hurt. There are several advantages that the IJN has...

1. More experienced pilots. IJN pilots are better than yours, and are more likely to kill your pilots and your carriers.
2. IJN has better range. The range on IJN dive-bombers and fighters is about 10 as I recall. SBDs range however, is about 8, and your TBDs suck royally with only a range of 4 or 5. What that means is that, IJN will probably get I "free" attack on you while you're closing the range in order to get your own bombers in striking distance.
3. The F4F3 is inferior to the A6M2, and you don't have full loads of them (only 21 or 36 fighters). This isn't THAT big a deal, as IJN squadrons are also understrength, but it's still something to complain about.

At least the AI simply always presses towards you. Most human IJN players have figured out how to position themselves about 9-10 hexes from your TF at the end of a turn, and thus get the opportunity to hit you without your ability to hit back.

My suggestions for you :
1. Set a higher percentage fo CAP. This will drain some of your fighters, but it'll give you a better chance to survive his (likely) first "free" strike (as you'll have more fighters up, and can hopefully drive him off).
2. Watch the weather. If you can close the range in T-storms, you may be able to get into range when his strikes are cancelled due to weather.
3. Put Lex and York together. At least they'll be able to combine their CAP (and AAA) for defense.

Even if you get lucky, manage to fend off his first strike and/or close the range in T-storms, IJN is -still- likely to give you a bloody nose. His pilots and his planes are all better than yours (well, the Val may not be better than the SBD). But historically, the USN sank poor little Shoho, and lost Lexington. From a points standpoint, that exchange pretty much sucks. The "real victory" of Coral Sea was that 1. The invasion of Port Moresby got turned back, and 2. Shokaku and Zuikaku were both damaged and sent back to the yards for 4 months.

-F-

_____________________________

"It is obvious that you have greatly over-estimated my regard for your opinion." - Me

(in reply to AUY2K)

Post #: 2

- 3/6/2003 2:01:43 AM

Mr.Frag

Posts: 13410
Joined: 12/18/2002
From: Purgatory
Status: offline

You need to use your own fighters on the CV's and have them fly CAP in high enough levels to suppress the Nell/Betty's desire to open up holes in the side of your ships.

Make sure you keep a very careful eye on your fighter pilots fatigue levels as fatigued pilots do not do much in a CAP role. 1 rested pilot is worth 3-4 fatigued pilots from what I have seen.

Be aware that with the range on these Japan bombers, there really is no SAFE place on the map although the do not generally attack well armed targets beyond a certain range.

Are you playing with Fog of War on? The Nells & Bettys don't generally come that far out against a hard target like CV's unless within 10 hexes of their base. Also keep in mind that the A6M2 Zeros based in Rabaul have quite the range, being able to provide bomber escort all the way to just south of Lunga, but FoW setting being off causes the AI to be extra aggressive since it can see everything without having to search it out.

Load the scenario as Japan and select the various planes to see the range circles depicted on the map to give you an idea of the scale.

(in reply to AUY2K)

Post #: 3