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NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 1:17:37 AM

ago1000

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From: Canada
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I was wondering if there is an allied setup file for scenario1 of WITPAE somewhere on this forum? I have played some of the smaller scenario and have had the game for a couple of years but find the campaign daunting to setup. Hence have never played the big campaign. Rumor has it takes players 6+ hours to setup. I have found the excel spread sheet on this forum (Thank you) but I'm wondering if there is a saved file somewhere.

Post #: 1

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 3:10:56 AM

bradfordkay

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From: Olympia, WA
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Allied first turn? Don't sweat it. There is nothing you can do on that first turn that will be earth shaking. About the only thing that you really want to be careful of is what you do with the Enterprise and Lexington. Try not to get them sunk in that first week. Even that can be recovered from, but your first half year will be less enjoyable if you lose them right off the bat.

Familiarize yourself with your forces and start building the supply lines. Take your time and enjoy the ride!

_____________________________

fair winds,
Brad

(in reply to ago1000)

Post #: 2

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 4:21:41 AM

Yaab

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I have heard rumors it actually takes 60+ hours to setup.

(in reply to bradfordkay)

Post #: 3

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 4:51:43 AM

jdsrae

Posts: 2716
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That would be excluding any pre-war planning!
The game is more forgiving on novices if you play allies. I just jumped in head first and learnt as I went.
It�s taken me nearly 10 yrs to cycle back and try and do things a bit more deliberately, such as understanding the orders of battle and reorganising a few things.
One thing that might help you is to sketch up some organisation charts and assign forces to theatres/missions.
One �problem� you�ll get as the allies from late 1943/44 (once the reinforcements start arriving in abundance) is keeping track of where all of your units are and keeping them busy.
I like spreadsheets too, but an org chart might help you visualise your available forces a bit better

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Post #: 4

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 5:46:48 AM

BBfanboy

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The other problem is picturing where the action will be three months ahead and start prepping units in time. Don't forget to coordinate HQ assignments and prep for units that combine into Brigades or Divisions. Sometimes you need to save up Political Points to get the HQ assignment the same for all of them. A good example is the US 24th and 25th Divisions which each have two restricted regiments at PH and one unrestricted regiment on the US West Coast.

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Post #: 5

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 7:28:34 AM

GetAssista

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This would be helpful http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2306421

< Message edited by GetAssista -- 1/24/2019 7:29:48 AM >

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 6

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 1:00:26 PM

Anachro

Posts: 2506
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From: The Coastal Elite
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On the allied side, the only people for whom the first turn takes 6 or 60+ hours to setup are those with a perfectionist or OCD mindset that need to absolutely get every order in on the first turn. In reality, especially for the Allies, this isn't necessary and in some cases can even be counter productive. As the allies, you have time on your side and can take the first week of turns or even longer to get everything setup to where they need to be.

(in reply to GetAssista)

Post #: 7

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 1:10:39 PM

btd64

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I usually get my "first turn" done during the first few turns. I prioritize what needs to be done first....GP

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(in reply to Anachro)

Post #: 8

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 1:24:21 PM

Mike Solli

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Now if you're playing the Japanese.....

100+ hours to get the first turn out the door for me.

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Post #: 9

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 1:44:41 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Now if you're playing the Japanese.....

100+ hours to get the first turn out the door for me.

I have done first turns with only entering a few orders....put the Zeroes at 9k to bomb the airfield at Pearl instead of sweep, check to make sure the Nells have torpedoes, strip the tankers out of amphibious invasions, and cancel unescorted merchants near Malaya (damn Dutch subs).

Later I tackle all the ship conversions, r&d, choices...but it does take a long time as Japan whether you put it off or start right away. Feels wrong to me to start on day one...surprise is on!

(in reply to Mike Solli)

Post #: 10

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 1:49:08 PM

Macclan5

Posts: 1065
Joined: 3/24/2016
From: Toronto Canada
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ago1000

I was wondering if there is an allied setup file for scenario1 of WITPAE somewhere on this forum? I have played some of the smaller scenario and have had the game for a couple of years but find the campaign daunting to setup. Hence have never played the big campaign. Rumor has it takes players 6+ hours to setup. I have found the excel spread sheet on this forum (Thank you) but I'm wondering if there is a saved file somewhere.

There is the good advice here - the set up spreadsheet link provided above for example.

However the trick is "don't sweat it" AND multiple save files - depending on how detail orientated you are (or OCD as suggested)

Take your time.

As the Allies you have 'days' perhaps even weeks to make some adjustments.

Define your critical points:

1) where are your Carriers? Get them to safety. What other ships / TFs maybe in harms way? Get them to safety.

2) where do you want to immediately dig in and defend? Typically Manila / Clarke / Butan - and Singapore.

3) where do you want to start extending your defensive perimeter ?Typically Suva / Canton / Baker / Midway / Burma / Northeastern Australia .... do you have the troops preped ? ...do you have the ships / resources ready to move troops to your defensive objectives ?

Multiple Saves:

As you spend hours clicking through your set up - save in stages in unique slots - so you know where you are.

A suggestion:

Save 1 - Pacific Oceans Area

Save 2 - South Pacific

Save 3 - Southwestern Pacific

Save 4 - Far East Command (Philippines et al)

Save 5 - China

Save 6 - India Burma

Down the road you can eliminate slots - or rewrites over some of those saves when there is no activity. But in the early weeks organize so it is logical to you.

_____________________________

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(in reply to ago1000)

Post #: 11

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 1:54:25 PM

btd64

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Also, skim over map. Get familiar with it....GP

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Post #: 12

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 2:09:58 PM

USSAmerica

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Now if you're playing the Japanese.....

100+ hours to get the first turn out the door for me.

.... and counting.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to Mike Solli)

Post #: 13

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 2:37:04 PM

jwolf

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As Allies vs the AI, I deliberately spread out my "first turn" planning over several turns. Partly this was to minimize strain on me, but also it was intended to simulate a shock and disorganized reaction which is IMHO pretty historical.

Playing against a human opponent, I suppose, would call for a different outlook.

(in reply to USSAmerica)

Post #: 14

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 2:38:00 PM

Yaab

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It has to. Logistics trumps all for the Japs. There can be no harakiri without a bayonet available.

(in reply to USSAmerica)

Post #: 15

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 2:50:14 PM

witpqs

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Yaab

I have heard rumors it actually takes 60+ hours to setup.

It takes longer if the cat keeps knocking over your stacks of unit counters.

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Post #: 16

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG - 1/24/2019 11:57:48 PM

ago1000

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Thanks everyone for your advice. I have downloaded the spreadsheet and looked it over. I also came across Sardaukar's Newbie setup in the forum. I have started the task of at least giving basic orders, mainly training and search and setting up a supply chain.

Thanks again everyone.

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 17

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/6/2019 12:26:25 PM

ago1000

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Transport Question
I have no problem when the transport starts from its home base loads up and unloads it at its destination.
However, how do you get a transport to load supplies at its destination port and then return to its home port to unload those supplies.

For example, I have xAK in Suva that I want to get supplies from Sydney and then return them to Suva. Is that possible? I have no problems having a transport from Sydney loading up and dropping off the supplies in Suva and then returning back to Sydney. In fact, with CS I can do this almost forever (or until sunk by a sub)

If not, I guess I could use them to supply Savaii, Nadi and Pago Pago bases from Suva.

(in reply to ago1000)

Post #: 18

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/6/2019 12:42:34 PM

btd64

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First, I would be bring the supplies from the west coast. But if you setup a CS TF at Suva, set the destination as Sydney and click on the return cargo key until supply is showing. The ship will move to Sydney and return with supplies....GP

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Post #: 19

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/6/2019 1:00:50 PM

ago1000

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Thank You btd64 for your quick response. Missed it completely. I only have three choices when I click the return cargo key - none, resources, or fuel. I'm assuming the resources will return the supply I require?
Thanks again.

(in reply to btd64)

Post #: 20

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/6/2019 1:06:09 PM

btd64

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Nope. Resources will bring back resources. If you don't have an option for supplies, then send the ship to Sydney and set it up from there....GP

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Post #: 21

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/6/2019 1:37:06 PM

ago1000

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Thank you again for your quick response.

(in reply to btd64)

Post #: 22

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/6/2019 3:19:07 PM

Macclan5

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From: Toronto Canada
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"Don't use Computer controlled or auto convoy systems" early in your first game.

Adopt a more aggressive OCD attitude

LOL

In honesty though - manually setting up cargo runs - tracking - micro managing - for the first year will teach you a lot.

Secondly - it seems to be my particular luck that all those automated tools - are like a homing beacon for the AI Japanese subs - your luck maybe better - but for me its a death warrant. **

Keep a little note pad at your side to jot down reminders about 'important things to check off each turn - important supply runs to hubs - important TFs to check in on'.

Others use "tracker tool" very effectively - although I do not ... however every turn I do spend dedicated review time of list all Task Forces - sorting and resorting the spreadsheet - always focusing in on the red numbers - Air Combat TFs - etc.

Latter in the game i.e late 43 / 44 depending upon how well you have cleared the Japanese submarine threat - you can probably use automated options all you want.

**

You might be reasonably safe with 3 automated CS but even these may be sub attacked

Resources Hilo >> Pearl Harbor

Resources Tasmanian Port >> Melbourne

Resources Columbia Ceylon >> Bombay or Indian mainland west coast. With Oil and a refinery in Ledo - they help 'top up' the fuel situ

< Message edited by Macclan5 -- 2/6/2019 3:20:19 PM >

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Post #: 23

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/6/2019 7:24:14 PM

ago1000

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That's not good news for me. Im setting up my first turn still. I'm almost ready though. I used continuous supply (CS) for a lot of my convoys of single ships. I manually set up the routes I wish then move, then I select CS for control. I also use waypoints to refuel my TFs at different ports along the way. Early war its very difficult to get DD or air cover for my routes. I'm trying to move the ships I want in the locations I need them to cover but it's gonna take months.
I haven't even had a chance to look at movement of resources. I didn't even know that I had too. lol.
So Far:
Fuel/Supply routes
SF & LA & SD >>> PH >> Satellite Islands around.
SF & LA >>> Christmas Island or Johnson Island >>> Pago Pago or Suva or Wellington >>> to Sydney or Melbourne (I also have TFs dedicated to providing fuel for these island hops so my TFs can refuel on the way to Australia)
Abadan >>> Karachi or Bombay
Bombay >>> Colombo
Cape Town >>>Diego Garcia >>> Perth

Oil
Abadan >>> Karachi or Bombay
At present moving oil out of Palembang, Soerabeja and Balikpapan to reduce their inventory just in case I lose them. Gonna move it over to Australia and then hopefully to LA. I haven't figure that out yet.

Resources ???? I'll have to look into your advice Macclan5.
Thanks again everyone

(in reply to Macclan5)

Post #: 24

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/6/2019 9:48:59 PM

rustysi

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quote:

moving oil

quote:

to Australia and then hopefully to LA.

OZ, good. Don't bother moving it to LA, it won't be needed there.

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(in reply to ago1000)

Post #: 25

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/6/2019 9:59:46 PM

btd64

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quote:

ORIGINAL: rustysi

quote:

moving oil

quote:

to Australia and then hopefully to LA.

OZ, good. Don't bother moving it to LA, it won't be needed there.

I would add fuel to the list....GP

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Post #: 26

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/7/2019 1:11:56 PM

aphrochine

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From: Phoenix, AZ
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ago1000

That's not good news for me. Im setting up my first turn still. I'm almost ready though. I used continuous supply (CS) for a lot of my convoys of single ships. I manually set up the routes I wish then move, then I select CS for control. I also use waypoints to refuel my TFs at different ports along the way. Early war its very difficult to get DD or air cover for my routes. I'm trying to move the ships I want in the locations I need them to cover but it's gonna take months.
I haven't even had a chance to look at movement of resources. I didn't even know that I had too. lol.

Subs are a hug problem for your shipping early on, and you can honestly do very little to keep the IJN subs from popping transports and cargo ships via torpedo. I would recommend that you review your convoys and assess the value of the ships within. If you are looking at a bunch of transmarines or low value xAK...you can really skimp on the escorts. For the low convoys, you can live without ASW capabilities in the escorts and settle for a 4" or 5" gun ship. PGs are good for that. You do this to prevent the subs from attacking on the surface. Make them use their torps.

This will free up A LOT of your DDs to escort more valuable convoys with your bigger auxillary ships, especially if they have a good conversion later.

Be careful of the early war AMCs. Use cruisers and/or put the Saratoga to work addressing that.

quote:

So Far:
Fuel/Supply routes
SF & LA & SD >>> PH >> Satellite Islands around.
SF & LA >>> Christmas Island or Johnson Island >>> Pago Pago or Suva or Wellington >>> to Sydney or Melbourne (I also have TFs dedicated to providing fuel for these island hops so my TFs can refuel on the way to Australia)
Abadan >>> Karachi or Bombay
Bombay >>> Colombo
Cape Town >>>Diego Garcia >>> Perth

A focus for me in the first couple of turns of the game are getting engineers and supply/fuel headed to my forward depots. A south pacific depot is a huge priority. Tahiti is a good "deep south" depot which can easily be moved up to Pago once the threat to Samoa plays out. Christmas Island is good, but with deep ocean all around, subs can very easily make a living off that island as a depot.

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Post #: 27

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/8/2019 3:45:05 PM

rockmedic109

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My first game took 12 hours. It now takes about 6. Simply learning the map will drastically decrease the time. Go through everything the first couple of turns just to get familiar with the map.

Don't worry about missing something.....it's a long war.....and the turns are only 1 day each. Relax and have another donut.

Yeah, I am OCD. I move all the Indian Ocean USN freighters to Cape Town, load them, send them to Sydney and then back home to San Francisco.

Discover how you will give your orders. Develop a "style" you use for it. You will be less likely to miss something. I start at Pearl go to Midway, up to Alaska, down the west coast, back across to Marshall, Noumea, Australia, DEI/India, China and finally the Philippines. I take notes during the computer running the turn for things that I need to check and do it before starting orders at Pearl.

Early war, you can have almost all of your supply convoys run out of SF. Might be congested at times, but it will work for at least a year. But you will want a couple of DDs each in Bremerton, SD and Panama. You do not want to have a high value reinforcement ship waiting for an escort to go to Pearl. You REALLY don't want to send said high value ship unescorted to Pearl.

And if it takes a long time, don't sweat it. This is not a short game, it's a lifestyle.

(in reply to aphrochine)

Post #: 28

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/8/2019 11:27:26 PM

ago1000

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Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm well over 12 hours setting up my first turn in the game. I have created a Basic Startup Save when I play the game again. That should reduce setup time next time a start a new campaign. I enjoy all aspects of this game. It's funny but I often think that the amount of work required to move supplies/fuel/oil/resources could be a game in itself. Can you support the fleets in the pacific?
Overall, I must admit the IJN side is all over me. The Enterprise has taken a hit and I'm heading back to LA with it. I'm learning more about political points, building a good supply depot and upgrading bases along the way. I too seem to be moving most of my supply across from LA to Oz. For my first campaign game I tried to follow Sardaukar's Newbie strategy for the most part. However, short of a miracle, I will probably lose the Philippines-->Malaya-->Borneo-->Sumatra and Java. Also I am totally at a loss with China. Really, troops are all over the place. I'm just trying them to fight in the forests and slow the Japanese progression.
My strategy for this game is to take a stance in Rangoon and Rabaul. if Rabaul falls I will fall back to PM which I'm also trying to build up. If Rangoon falls, I will lose my shirt and need to fall back to Chittagang.
I'm also trying to figure out how to make a stand in Soerabaja if I can to protect Darwin. I have not adapted the Sir Robin strategy and my men were left their to fight against all odds. I may pull out MacCarther though. Just listening to Tokyo Rose, when Guam fell was enough for me think about pulling just MacCarther out of the Philippines. I'm hoping when i do, I will hear his "I shall return" speech. lol. Yes, it is Time for a Tim Horton's donut and a couple more turns tonight. Thanks again everyone.

(in reply to rockmedic109)

Post #: 29

RE: NOOB to WITPAE - Transport Question - 2/9/2019 5:39:10 PM

rustysi

Posts: 7472
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quote:

I have created a Basic Startup Save when I play the game again.

A nice idea, but by the time you've played through you'll have so many changes to make, it may not be valid.

quote:

I may pull out MacCarther though.

Doesn't matter, he'll just reappear in OZ if you don't. So save the PP's.

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Post #: 30

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NOOB to WITPAE - Campaign setup - OMG