Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) navy?

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Strategic Command Series >> Strategic Command WWII War in Europe >> Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) navy?

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Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) navy? - 10/26/2017 10:22:42 AM

Vichyssoise

Posts: 49
Joined: 7/15/2009
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I'm having a blast with the game, but as evidenced by my thread about the mighty Dutch, I'm still a total beginner... a nice way of saying the most incompetent commander in chief in the history of the world.

The 'Question du jour' regards the use of the navy, any navy. Is there any tutorial or anything to help me use my navy efficiently?
I'm actually so useless that I even managed to lose the entire RN Mediterranean fleet against the Italians in two ill-fated turns once. The AI kicks my butt whichever side I play, thus seriously hampering my chances of either conquering or saving the world. I do however use the subs with moderate success.

Give me the Invincible Armada, and I'd lose it too... Okay, I may not be that bad after all.

Help! Anyone!

Post #: 1

RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/26/2017 10:45:02 AM

nnason

Posts: 502
Joined: 3/4/2016
From: Washington DC Metro Area
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There are several tutorials on the internet. Search Strategic Command on YouTube.

There are also several After Action Reports (AAR) here in the Forum found in the "After Action Reports subforum."

Other Forums such as the "The War Room" have good information.

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US Army Retired

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Post #: 2

RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/26/2017 10:50:24 AM

OxfordGuy3

Posts: 1041
Joined: 7/1/2012
From: Oxford, United Kingdom
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Handling my navy well (especially as the Axis) is one of the things I find hardest to do right in the game. Air recon (especially Maritime bombers and CVs) helps somewhat, though

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RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/26/2017 10:53:13 AM

KorutZelva

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-Don't shore bombard (unless DD day)
-Keep your fleet in supporting distance of each other
-Scout with expendable before moving your big pieces
-Don't attack ship in port (except by air)
-Carrier need to switch attack mode to do deadly bombing run (the red dot one)
-Don't attack sub (except with destroyers and planes)

(in reply to nnason)

Post #: 4

RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/26/2017 11:15:43 AM

Vichyssoise

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Joined: 7/15/2009
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Thanks a lot. I'll have a look and try and put all your advice to good use.
Easier said than done.

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Post #: 5

RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/26/2017 11:23:35 AM

OxfordGuy3

Posts: 1041
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quote:

ORIGINAL: KorutZelva

-Don't shore bombard (unless DD day)
-Keep your fleet in supporting distance of each other
-Scout with expendable before moving your big pieces
-Don't attack ship in port (except by air)
-Carrier need to switch attack mode to do deadly bombing run (the red dot one)
-Don't attack sub (except with destroyers and planes)

Shore bombardment can be quite effective for wreaking Axis supply in North Africa, though having at least 3 axis HQs can mitigate this (linking etc.). Can also be useful situationally for the Axis on the Baltic coast during Barbarossa.

Also if you're facing Sealion, can help to reduce resources giving supply to the Axis in Britain.

Leaving any naval unit next to a port (including a submerged sub), will prevent that port from giving any supply, but this can be dangerous, unless you have air/sea superiority

< Message edited by OxfordGuy3 -- 10/26/2017 11:41:54 AM >

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Post #: 6

RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/26/2017 11:44:42 AM

OxfordGuy3

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From: Oxford, United Kingdom
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Early in the game can be also worth attacking subs (especially if they're damaged) with Light Cruisers, especially if upgraded with anti-submarine tech, as they have a sub attack.

MTBs are also very effective at attacking subs, but have short range

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RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/26/2017 11:58:41 AM

OxfordGuy3

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From: Oxford, United Kingdom
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Press the shift key to scout with your Carrier's planes - took me ages to figure that one out!

Scouting does use supply, though

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RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/26/2017 12:44:13 PM

gwgardner

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Alternatively, use the 653N mod, which removes all capital ships, focuses on convoy raiding/ASW.

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RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/26/2017 1:15:14 PM

OxfordGuy3

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From: Oxford, United Kingdom
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Wouldn't that make invading the UK a bit easy? Or are there mechanisms in the Mod to compensate?

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RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/26/2017 1:19:43 PM

The Land

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Yes, I found this confusing when I first got the game and Korut's advice is good.

There are lots of compromises about how the game handles naval warfare with one unit per hex. But the one very historical thing about naval warfare is the importance of recon. What you want to do is to find the enemy and then engage part of their fleet with overwhelming force so that they have little opportunity to respond.

Subs, destroyers, light cruisers, and aircraft are recon assets. Capital ships and aircraft (particularly carriers, maritime bombers, land bombers with good naval weapons) are destructive assets.

Good fleet positioning is with your core units in adjacent hexes, surrounded by screening units (destroyer, light cruiser, even heavy cruiser) positioned so that any approaching enemy will bump into the screen and not localise your battlefleet. Ideally, position yourself within range of your own land-based air (or at least out of range of theirs unless that's operationally impossible).

When you have established a good position 6-12 hexes away from where you think there will be a battle, send your recon assets out scouting where you think any enemy fleet might be. If you find it, do what you can to scope it out (an air attack will usually gather more recon information as well as inflicting damage). Then pick targets to destroy (preferable high-value ones) and use post-attack moves to withdraw so the enemy no longer has your location. Use subs, light cruisers and even destroyers to finish off any ships that are almost done for. If you find nothing, withdraw to your position. You can also send light units to 'bait' the enemy fleet out of port by blockading / bombarding / convoy raiding.

If you start to run low on supplies or you take damage to the screens, withdraw to port and come back when it suits you, even if you've not engaged.

(in reply to gwgardner)

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RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/26/2017 3:58:39 PM

OxfordGuy3

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From: Oxford, United Kingdom
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Some great advice from The Land and Korut, one thing I did pick-up on:

[QUOTE]
Good fleet positioning is with your core units in adjacent hexes, surrounded by screening units (destroyer, light cruiser, even heavy cruiser) positioned so that any approaching enemy will bump into the screen and not localise your battlefleet[/QUOTE]

If I read that correctly, you're not necessarily suggesting that you screening units have to be just one hex away (i.e. next to) the battlefleet they're protecting/hiding - in fact in some situations it may be better to have them further away, but with no more than a gap of one hex between them and other screening units, so make it more likely the enemy will bump into your screen (and not find your battlefleet) and their ZOC may prevent the enemy fleet getting close enough to your battlefleet? This can be dangerous in some situations, though, as if you leave gaps it could still be possible for a submarine, for example, to get through the screen and attack a Carrier or Battleship. I guess it also depends on how many screening units you have and what enemies they're facing (e.g. just U-boats, or potentially a mixed sub/surface force).

quote:

ORIGINAL: The Land
Good fleet positioning is with your core units in adjacent hexes, surrounded by screening units (destroyer, light cruiser, even heavy cruiser) positioned so that any approaching enemy will bump into the screen and not localise your battlefleet.

If I read that correctly, you're not necessarily suggesting that you screening units have to be just one hex away (i.e. next to, leaving no gaps) the battlefleet they're protecting/hiding - in fact in some situations it may be better to have them further away, but with no more than a gap of one hex between them and other screening units, so make it more likely the enemy will bump into your screen (and not find your battlefleet) and their ZOC may still prevent the enemy fleet getting close enough to your battlefleet if they do find it?

I've noticed one of my PBEM opponents using screens more like this.

This can be dangerous in some situations, though, as if you leave gaps it could still be possible for a submarine, for example, to get through the screen and attack a Carrier or Battleship. I guess it also depends on how many screening units you have and what enemies they're facing (e.g. just U-boats, or potentially a mixed sub/surface force).

(in reply to The Land)

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RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/27/2017 3:17:41 AM

Vichyssoise

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Joined: 7/15/2009
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quote:

ORIGINAL: OxfordGuy3

Press the shift key to scout with your Carrier's planes - took me ages to figure that one out!

Scouting does use supply, though

Good to know... I don't remember reading about this in the manual. But there are so many things that I don't remember.

Plenty of great advice and no more excuses if I perform badly. I had tried intuitively some of the strategies listed but in such a poor way that disaster awaited... every single time.
I suppose I wanted too much too soon against the opposition.
The screening strategy is particularly interesting. I shall try and do it properly next time.

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RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 10/27/2017 4:01:07 AM

James Taylor

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From: Corpus Christi, Texas
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Use the tactics above, but remember the best cause for your navy is to perpetuate the threat of.

Preserve, bait and bluff and be ready at the choke points to deal out the damage.

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RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 11/9/2017 9:13:54 AM

Vichyssoise

Posts: 49
Joined: 7/15/2009
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Slowly getting better thanks to the good advice given.

I have an additional question regarding submarine warfare. When attacking convoy lane (mainly as Axis), what would be the best strategy: bunch 3 or 4 subs within 10 hexes or spread them as much as possible?
I've opted for the latter so far, but wondered if the former would be more effective to respond in case of an attack. It might also attract most of the enemy navy in one single place while freeing other areas to strike more, well... freely.

Any thoughts?

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Post #: 15

RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 11/9/2017 10:35:06 AM

Taxman66

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Joined: 3/19/2008
From: Columbia, MD. USA
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Oh, feel free and encouraged to sacrifice the French Navy for axis navy.
You won't be keeping it, perhaps a bit longer if Jerry goes for 'All France', so any damage it can do to axis forces is a bonus.
That doesn't mean however let it get crushed by axis air power for nothing in return. Of course if Germany uses their air power on the French fleet, they're not using it on the French army.
YMMV

< Message edited by Taxman66 -- 11/9/2017 10:36:24 AM >

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RE: Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) ... - 11/9/2017 10:35:55 AM

OxfordGuy3

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Good question, I'm still working this kind of thing out myself...

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Post #: 17

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Strategic Command Series >> Strategic Command WWII War in Europe >> Sink or swim. What should I do with my (expletive) navy?

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