Maximizing Japan's Turn #1 in China

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

Maximizing Japan's Turn #1 in China

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

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Strategic Command Series >> Strategic Command WWII: World at War >> Maximizing Japan's Turn #1 in China

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Maximizing Japan's Turn #1 in China - 8/25/2021 4:02:30 AM

Chernobyl

Posts: 444
Joined: 8/27/2012
Status: offline

FIRST STRIKE:
What Chinese units do you guys prefer to damage/destroy on the first turn?

I'm currently thinking it's best to sample the wares a bit first. Try out a couple attacks that don't commit to one target necessarily, and see if I get a better than average result. If so, then go for that unit.

For example I use my Akagi carrier to bomb a Chinese army and bait the enemy fighter (mixed mode seems to work best though I'm not sure I understand why). If the fighter takes lots of damage (3+) then I try to destroy it using my air units (shift move to get an extra hex of range). The chances of getting a kill on that fighter seem pretty good if the initial escort mission damaged it heavily. And it's nice to actually use your fighter for offensive damage.

If that doesn't work, I see if I get a big attack on the Chinese 41st army in the swamp hex next to Chengchow. If I only get an average roll, then I probably won't destroy it so I use my medium bomber to soften up the XIV corps (the exposed one near Changsha one that everyone kills) so to lessen my losses.

But if it does work, there is a possibility of destroying that 41st army if I throw everything I have at it, but I have mixed feelings about where exactly to place my units because they are somewhat vulnerable to counterattack. Still, I would say if I can attempt to destroy the enemy army, go for it.

So overall my thinking is to go for a kill on the army or fighter in addition to the XIV corps, but don't commit my air forces to an ambitious attack unless one of those two first strikes worked very well. If you didn't get good initial results, just settle for using your medium bomber on the corps to kill it for (probably) no losses.

NON COMBAT MOVEMENT:
I'm not quite sure where optimal end of turn unit placement is.
I do pay to upgrade the level 4 Chinese general to level 7 (you un-command the garrison in suchow, swap-move the HQ into Suchow for better supply next turn, and you can pay to replace the commander all in the same turn). That seems like a given to me. So I only have limited MPP after that. I'm thinking the Transport ship 17th Korean Army outside Taipei should just go straight to Foochow and start advancing towards Hengyang/Changsha. My reasoning is that taking Nanning from the south (Hainan/Pakhoi) isn't really feasible. In the longer term I might even move the Hainan to Canton or nearby to help with the westward push.

Thoughts/opinions?

< Message edited by Chernobyl -- 8/25/2021 4:19:55 AM >

Post #: 1

RE: Maximizing Japan's Turn #1 in China - 8/25/2021 8:42:36 AM

Marcinos1985

Posts: 430
Joined: 1/22/2020
Status: offline

quote:

Thoughts/opinions?

Actually there is somewhere a post from smckechnie which describes in detail what you should do on 1st turn and your analysis is not far from it. Sorry, I can't find it right now, but it's rather fresh.

BTW, this topic shows why China is in such a trouble from the get go. Their initial placement is just working against them. If JAP kills army south of Chengchow (marshes make them vulnerable to planes) and corps SE of Changhsa, then you are ca. 250 MPP's behind from the first turn. That's a lot, China earns only about 200 early game and soon this will go down too. And instead of rebuying these units at once, you must get some tech first (IW, AA, I warfare, C&C), so after 2-3 turns you will be down an army and several corps. Talk about good opening. You get into death spiral, which is getting tighter and tighter, because you lose NM targets, and Japan builds up XP easily and quickly, making their armies better even than German.

There are usually 2 scenarios in China.
Scenario 1 - a good axis player keeps up the pressure, killing 1-2 units per turn, China runs out of MPP's and never gets out of dumpster, dies in 1941-1942. Crazy comparing to RL.
Scenario 2 - less experienced players often take some time to setup JP troops, upgrade, reinforce etc. which buys time for China and allows them to organise way better resistance. This may buy China at least one more year, sometimes they don't fall at all.

Just 2 cents

_____________________________

WaW ELO Tournament
3 Tips to improve your game now

(in reply to Chernobyl)

Post #: 2

Page: [1]

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Strategic Command Series >> Strategic Command WWII: World at War >> Maximizing Japan's Turn #1 in China

Page: [1]