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First game questions - 7/29/2015 6:04:29 PM

swatter555

Posts: 199
Joined: 3/19/2002
Status: offline

Hello everyone!

I was wondering if I could get some advice from some WIP:AE veterans about how to approach my first game.
I am playing as the Japanese in BigBs May 1942 scenario. Up to this point I have read good portions of the
manual and have watched many online tutorials. I am getting to the point where I am wanting to issue an order,
but everything is so daunting. I need of advice on some specific issues:

1) What are the most important convoys to setup first? What ports are actively producing resources that must be picked
up?

2) What is a good strategy in China. I realize historically that it was a stalemate for the most part; is it easy
just to keep things at the historical level?

3) Looking at the industry page is very daunting, especially with the inclusion of so many minor versions of aircraft
and the inclusion of engines. My first instinct is to focus on one type of each aircraft. Is that a good idea? Then I
see the production screen has many R&D factories working on a huge variation of future types. I was also wanting to
focus those R&D factories on a narrower range of types. I haven't even factored engine production into my schemes
yet.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Post #: 1

RE: First game questions - 7/29/2015 6:12:55 PM

crsutton

Posts: 9590
Joined: 12/6/2002
From: Maryland
Status: offline

I would start by reading some of the After Action reports from the Japanese players. Look for some that have been going on a long time.

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(in reply to swatter555)

Post #: 2

RE: First game questions - 7/29/2015 9:05:36 PM

Numdydar

Posts: 3211
Joined: 2/13/2004
Status: offline

You can check out my production primer for Japan here

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3329605

You can find other stuff like this in the War Room forum which you may also find useful

(in reply to crsutton)

Post #: 3

RE: First game questions - 7/29/2015 9:23:43 PM

swatter555

Posts: 199
Joined: 3/19/2002
Status: offline

Thanks :)

(in reply to Numdydar)

Post #: 4

RE: First game questions - 7/29/2015 9:36:32 PM

rustysi

Posts: 7472
Joined: 2/21/2012
From: LI, NY
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: swatter555

Hello everyone!

I was wondering if I could get some advice from some WIP:AE veterans about how to approach my first game.

I'd recommend taking the game in 'chunks'. IOW don't try to do every thing at once, then start over and learn some more. My first game I did nothing but move forces around during the expansion (went to about Feb. '42). Second game moved all resources and played with the economy. Third I'm in Sept. '42 and I'm just looking at most of the A/C stuff above the basics I felt I needed. That being said see below. Also keep in mind I'm playing stock scen1 and am unfamiliar with mods and whatnot.

I am playing as the Japanese in BigBs May 1942 scenario. Up to this point I have read good portions of the manual and have watched many online tutorials. I am getting to the point where I am wanting to issue an order, but everything is so daunting. I need of advice on some specific issues:

1) What are the most important convoys to setup first? What ports are actively producing resources that must be picked up?

At the start: Sakhalin, Hokkaido, Formosa (not ports but locations), and Port Arthur.

2) What is a good strategy in China. I realize historically that it was a stalemate for the most part; is it easy just to keep things at the historical level?

Against the AI, not sure it matters. I play aggressively, because its how I'd do a PBEM. Keep in mind a live opponent will be quite different than the computer. I have read here if you ignore China later in the game she can become quite strong and give Japan massive headaches. At that point in the game I think Japan will have enough other things to worry about. My intent in the game is to render China impotent. It can be done with the forces already there. You will need to ship in supply.

3) Looking at the industry page is very daunting, especially with the inclusion of so many minor versions of aircraft and the inclusion of engines. My first instinct is to focus on one type of each aircraft. Is that a good idea? Then I see the production screen has many R&D factories working on a huge variation of future types. I was also wanting to focus those R&D factories on a narrower range of types. I haven't even factored engine production into my schemes yet.

I think you're gonna have to play around with the economy a bit to get a feel for what you can and can not do. Go ahead break it (I know I did), it'll be a great learning experience. I agree that some streamlining of the A/C industry is necessary. But unless you're playing with PDU on you may have to produce some types you may not really want as reinforcements will use them. Also when playing around with changing production items always do it from the industry screen and always after a save. You'll want to be able to go back if you muck things up.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Rusty

_____________________________

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In every party there is one member who by his all-too-devout pronouncement of the party principles provokes the others to apostasy. Nietzsche

Cave ab homine unius libri. Ltn Prvb

(in reply to swatter555)

Post #: 5

RE: First game questions - 7/29/2015 9:38:14 PM

rustysi

Posts: 7472
Joined: 2/21/2012
From: LI, NY
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Numdydar

You can check out my production primer for Japan here

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3329605

You can find other stuff like this in the War Room forum which you may also find useful

This is where I started. Its now heavily modified to my own game style.

_____________________________

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Post #: 6

RE: First game questions - 7/29/2015 10:13:25 PM

swatter555

Posts: 199
Joined: 3/19/2002
Status: offline

I am digesting that now.

(in reply to rustysi)

Post #: 7

RE: First game questions - 7/30/2015 12:22:13 PM

Uncivil Engineer

Posts: 1014
Joined: 2/22/2012
From: Florida, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: swatter555

Hello everyone!

I was wondering if I could get some advice from some WIP:AE veterans about how to approach my first game.
I am playing as the Japanese in BigBs May 1942 scenario. Up to this point I have read good portions of the
manual and have watched many online tutorials. I am getting to the point where I am wanting to issue an order,
but everything is so daunting. I need of advice on some specific issues:

1) What are the most important convoys to setup first? What ports are actively producing resources that must be picked
up?

2) What is a good strategy in China. I realize historically that it was a stalemate for the most part; is it easy
just to keep things at the historical level?

3) Looking at the industry page is very daunting, especially with the inclusion of so many minor versions of aircraft
and the inclusion of engines. My first instinct is to focus on one type of each aircraft. Is that a good idea? Then I
see the production screen has many R&D factories working on a huge variation of future types. I was also wanting to
focus those R&D factories on a narrower range of types. I haven't even factored engine production into my schemes
yet.

Any advice would be appreciated.

I agree with all the responses so far, but thought I'd add a few more items:

1. Increase the supply draw to 3000 to 5000 for every base in Japan that is producing, repairing, or researching any industrial item. Check every turn that things you want to repair are actually doing so. Turn OFF repair of manpower, resource, and light industry (there is nothing to repair here initially, but I don't want any of these items, if damaged, to start repairing). Also turn these off at each base as allied bases are captured. The supply to repair these is NOT worth the cost.

2. Hokkaido makes ~44,000 resources per day, but needs none of it. The other home islands are ~88,000 resources short per day. I set up convoys from Kushiro, Hakodate, and Sapporo to bases on Honshu. Load every day, but only send the ESCORTED xAK's every 3 or 4 days.

3. China/Manchukuo also have excess resource that can be shipped to the home islands. You can use Shanghai, Fusan, and/or Port Arthur. I use the first 2, and try to use the slower/smaller xAK/xAKL's with inadequate endurance for longer runs.

4. I expand heavy industry in increments of 10, but at no more than 5 bases at a time. A target of 16,000 HI per day is a good start. You'll want to have ~2 million HI in the bank by the end of '42.

I hope this helps. Others may have better ideas.

(in reply to swatter555)

Post #: 8

RE: First game questions - 7/30/2015 3:19:26 PM

swatter555

Posts: 199
Joined: 3/19/2002
Status: offline

Thank you, thank you!

I have read the linked document twice, thanks for making it! You have saved me a few screwed up restarts.

UncivilEngineer- Thanks for the specific advice.

(in reply to Uncivil Engineer)

Post #: 9

RE: First game questions - 7/30/2015 4:53:44 PM

GetAssista

Posts: 2732
Joined: 9/19/2009
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: swatter555
You have saved me a few screwed up restarts.

Oh, don't worry. With this game each Japan campaign you play will feel like a screwed up start after several turns already =) in years to come. There is so many things to learn here, this game is immense. so just dont allow yourself to feel screwed up and carry on.

I'd say that Allies side is more suitable for the first game than Japan, because it is more forgiving to inevitable mistakes. But Japan is more fun in the start

< Message edited by GetAssista -- 7/30/2015 5:56:18 PM >

(in reply to swatter555)

Post #: 10

RE: First game questions - 7/31/2015 12:41:30 AM

n01487477

Posts: 4779
Joined: 2/21/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: swatter555

Thank you, thank you!

I have read the linked document twice, thanks for making it! You have saved me a few screwed up restarts.

UncivilEngineer- Thanks for the specific advice.

Yes, but have you checked out Kull's setup?
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3253803&mpage=1&key=�
And my Econ101 doc(link in signature)

_____________________________

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Tutes&Java

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Post #: 11

RE: First game questions - 8/1/2015 3:21:01 AM

swatter555

Posts: 199
Joined: 3/19/2002
Status: offline

Thanks again!

A couple of questions:

1) How do you properly use submarine tenders?

2) Are AVs basically mobile search platforms? They also look like the have aircraft capacity other than float planes. Can they also provide replacements for CV aircraft at the same time?

(in reply to n01487477)

Post #: 12

RE: First game questions - 8/1/2015 6:35:39 AM

GetAssista

Posts: 2732
Joined: 9/19/2009
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: swatter555
1) How do you properly use submarine tenders?

Deploy them at forwards ports closer to your sub activity to shorten the cycle of return-repair-reload. They can do stuff that most of ports can't because of size.

quote:

ORIGINAL: swatter555
2) Are AVs basically mobile search platforms? They also look like the have aircraft capacity other than float planes. Can they also provide replacements for CV aircraft at the same time?

Two main uses here. First is convoy duty with ASW using their own planes. Second one is search from forward bases. AVs can tend to any float planes at the base w/o any kind of other facilities, even from a dot hex. The number other than capacity is aviation support to FPs when at base. Very useful for both allies and Japan, especially the latter as you would not want to build up a base to give Allies a stepping stone to you later

(in reply to swatter555)

Post #: 13

RE: First game questions - 8/1/2015 5:13:04 PM

swatter555

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Joined: 3/19/2002
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AVs sound like very useful units.

Do you just send the submarine tenders to a base? Do they just sit there or do you deploy them in TFs?

(in reply to GetAssista)

Post #: 14

RE: First game questions - 8/1/2015 6:22:41 PM

Alfred

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Joined: 9/28/2006
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Read this thread

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3286922&mpage=1&key=tenders&#3286959

on ship tenders.

Alfred

(in reply to swatter555)

Post #: 15

RE: First game questions - 8/1/2015 8:36:32 PM

swatter555

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Joined: 3/19/2002
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Thanks and bookmarked!

(in reply to Alfred)

Post #: 16

RE: First game questions - 8/2/2015 11:16:37 AM

wegman58

Posts: 460
Joined: 12/28/2013
From: Edina, MN (FROM the Bronx)
Status: offline

In the 'War Room' first topic stickied is a Newbie thread. Go there are read as much as you can digest.

I play allies so I skipped the Imperial Production but everything else was reviewed at least once.

(in reply to swatter555)

Post #: 17

RE: First game questions - 8/3/2015 2:03:31 AM

swatter555

Posts: 199
Joined: 3/19/2002
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I actually pressed the turn button and nothing sank.

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Post #: 18

RE: First game questions - 8/3/2015 5:22:12 AM

rustysi

Posts: 7472
Joined: 2/21/2012
From: LI, NY
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: swatter555

I actually pressed the turn button and nothing sank.

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Post #: 19

RE: First game questions - 8/3/2015 5:31:13 AM

swatter555

Posts: 199
Joined: 3/19/2002
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One question: How quickly does the auto-convoy system ramp up?

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Post #: 20

RE: First game questions - 8/3/2015 2:10:44 PM

Numdydar

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Joined: 2/13/2004
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It starts right away. But just like everything else in the game, all AC ships have to get to where they need to go. Which takes a long time

Many people hate the AC system. I actually like it quite a bit. One thing that really helps it is a little button on every Base screen that you can toggle, Auto convoy Off/On. So if you do not want a base to be a part of the AC system, you can easily turn it off

This way you can actually control exactly where you want the AC ships to sail to (or not). This is a great way to keep these ships out of hostile waters while still getting supplies/resources to where they need to be.

(in reply to swatter555)

Post #: 21

RE: First game questions - 8/4/2015 1:42:11 AM

swatter555

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I see, the AI is creating auto convoys, docking them, filling the holds, and then sending them off the next day. That makes sense, but with a bunch of convoy targets this is going to take awhile.

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Post #: 22

RE: First game questions - 8/4/2015 4:12:22 AM

swatter555

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Joined: 3/19/2002
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I am slowly digesting everything, but I have two things giving me some trouble now.

1) It looks like the situation in China could get dangerous without my significant input. Right now, its just a mess of units to my eyes.

2) The HQ structure is very messy too.

I suppose my only option is to take a lot of notes and make plans in China. Will tactical withdrawals to straighten out my line in China hurt me much in the VP department?

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Post #: 23

RE: First game questions - 8/4/2015 2:35:12 PM

Numdydar

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Do not worry about the HQ structure for any power in AE. It does not matter. It is not like it is in Hearts of Iron for example.

As long as units are with the range of an HQ, regardless if it is directly attached or not the unit will get the benefit of any leaders. If a lower level HQ is within range of a higher level HQ AND the unit is within range of BOTH HQs, the unit will get the benefits of both HQs.

Most lower level HQs have a range of 1, while higher ones have a range of 5.

This same concept applies to all units, land, air, etc. You will never have enough Political Points as either side to restructure the entire OOB to the way you want like you can in HoI.

This is something that OCD people will have a very hard time adjusting to as it is 'just not right'

I will freely admit I have occasionally spent a few PP to change things around. But once you realize how much points that takes and you are then short PP to buy something you REALLY need, you learn to adjust to the way the game is designed. Or go nuts. Or maybe both

< Message edited by Numdydar -- 8/4/2015 6:32:28 PM >

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Post #: 24

RE: First game questions - 8/4/2015 4:27:27 PM

Skyros

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From: Columbia SC
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Are lover level HQs monogamous?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Numdydar

Most lover level HQs have a range of 1, while higher ones have a range of 5.

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Post #: 25

RE: First game questions - 8/4/2015 5:33:54 PM

Numdydar

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You need you eyes checked as that is not what it said. You obviously changed my wording around. You do not work in the media do you?

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Post #: 26

RE: First game questions - 8/4/2015 7:36:23 PM

swatter555

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That's actually great advice Numdydar! I must let go... I must let go...

But I have to point out the contradiction- this game is made for OCD micromanagers! For god sakes you must deploy minefield tenders and match engines to airframes!

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Post #: 27

RE: First game questions - 8/4/2015 10:19:59 PM

rustysi

Posts: 7472
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From: LI, NY
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quote:

Will tactical withdrawals to straighten out my line in China hurt me much in the VP department?

IMHO, you want your 'lines' in China as messy as possible. This gives you the opportunity to cut/hinder Japanese supply lines, etc. It makes it more difficult for Japan to move forward when he has to keep one eye behind him.

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Post #: 28

RE: First game questions - 8/4/2015 11:02:01 PM

Numdydar

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Joined: 2/13/2004
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Remember he IS Japan so that advice will not work for him

(in reply to rustysi)

Post #: 29

RE: First game questions - 8/5/2015 12:09:51 AM

rustysi

Posts: 7472
Joined: 2/21/2012
From: LI, NY
Status: offline

Oops.