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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> War In The Pacific - Struggle Against Japan 1941 - 1945 >> Auto Convoy system

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Auto Convoy system - 5/24/2004 8:24:13 PM

Becket

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I've seen reference to this a few times lately. Is this the same as the auto features in UV, or are there improvements, tweaks, differences, etc.?

Added to FAQ

< Message edited by Kid -- 5/25/2004 12:15:11 AM >

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RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/24/2004 8:25:10 PM

Mr.Frag

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Completely different system, nothing to do with what is in UV.

(in reply to Becket)

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RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/24/2004 8:28:50 PM

Becket

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I guess that's today's lesson in "Learning to Ask Better Questions, with Mr. Frag."

What are the primary components of the new system? Do they apply to each side equally, and, if not, what are the different aspects for each side?

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RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/24/2004 8:42:58 PM

Mr.Frag

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quote:

I guess that's today's lesson in "Learning to Ask Better Questions, with Mr. Frag."

Simply put, it allows you to dump ships into your main port and assign them to convoy duty. You also toggle bases on or off.

The combination of the ships and bases makes the AI automatically generate convoys to keep those bases stocked.

The continuous supply thing from UV still exists too, but has nothing to do with the above system.

(in reply to Becket)

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RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/24/2004 8:46:43 PM

Becket

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Ah, I see. Sounds great -- thanks for the additional details.

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Post #: 5

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/24/2004 10:24:52 PM

Jonny_B

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Mr. Frag

As a Japanese player setting convoy task groups for Truk and the system decides that two medium AK�s and one small TK is needed to supply this particular base, keeping this base at a 2x supply level is fine.
However, what if I were too add another tanker and two or more cargo ships to this defined task force, would Truk receive more supplies and oil, and if no, why not.

(in reply to Becket)

Post #: 6

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/24/2004 11:12:29 PM

Mr.Frag

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The auto system aims to fill the base based on the bases *requested* level. Should you go and stick some extra ships in, they will end up there too, they are part of the same TF.

Be aware, the auto system is for *rear* area use. I would not advise sticking any *active* bases in the list unless you assign a crapload of asw ships to the pool.

Personally, I find it easier to do myself with monster convoys with insane asw assets assigned to protect the monster.

Very first thing I do as the Allies (turn 1) is form all AK's & TK's into TF's and start them loading right away in the rear areas. Once they load (thank god for the do not unload toggle), I pull out ships into smaller TF's and send them off. I also funnel all the useless shipping back to Karachi or San Francisco (shipping starts scattered all over the map).

Easy to remember: AK & TK to the rear, AP & AO to the front.

(in reply to Jonny_B)

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RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 12:05:38 AM

kaleun

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Can you make that rhyme?

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RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 12:31:15 AM

Xargun

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So the automatic convoys are actually on the map and can be viewed unlike in PacWar correct ? Can you also stick escorts in them if you wish for some moderately threatened bases ?

Xargun

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RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 1:02:39 AM

Mr.Frag

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Yes, they are real TF's, just computer controlled.

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RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 1:45:46 AM

byron13

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kaleun

Can you make that rhyme?

Sure. How about:

AK & TK to the rear-oh;
AP & AO to the front-oh

AK & TK get to the back;
AP & AO get to attack.

If it ends in "K,"
Send it to San Francisco Bay;
If it ends in "O" or "P,"
Send it to the Coral Sea.

Hey, I'm great at this. Need any help writing the instructions?

(in reply to kaleun)

Post #: 11

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 3:31:49 AM

Xargun

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Another question for ya.. Do these convoys run continously, or only when the computer determines the target base needs supplies.. As in if they computer will support Truk to 2000 supplies, but I dump a large convoy there in anticipation of an upcoming offensive, will the computer continue to ship in supplies on schedule, or does it stop until Truk needs more ?

Xargun

added to FAQ

< Message edited by Kid -- 5/25/2004 11:29:36 AM >

(in reply to Mr.Frag)

Post #: 12

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 3:47:18 AM

Mike Scholl

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KID. A really KEY point in the explanation you provide in your FAQ's section seems
to be, "Who sets the REQUESTED LEVEL of supply for a base?" If the player can do
it (adjusting his stockpiling to meet what he anticipates will be future needs) then the
"auto-convoy" sounds really useful. If it's just a "fixed amount", much less so.

(in reply to Xargun)

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RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 4:34:15 AM

kaleun

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Cool man!

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Post #: 14

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 4:38:18 AM

Luskan

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I've put in many many hours testing the auto convoy system in its various stages. My only complaint now is that it aims for the requested level (albiet a little slow to start) and does not factor in the fact that they might loose a shipload on the way.

First move as the japs, every game so far I've added all the bases I need supply at (especially the chinese coast) and then formed massive transport tfs full of all the transports I don't immediately need on the map and sending literally hundreds of them back to Osaka, where I add them to the auto convoy pool, along with PCs, MSWs, PGS, and a few dozen dds.

The auto convoy system takes a while to really get going, but in my game against Raver it is now steadily shuttling supply/fuel bases, and then taking oil/resources to bases with Heavy Industry (so the resources can be transformed into more supply and fuel etc) and around again.

Unfortunately it isn't psychic and so when I dock my 6 bb tf at kwajalein and suck up every drop of fuel there (guzzling bloody ships) it takes a long time for the auto convoy system to allocate the ships and fuel to kwajalein and then longer for the fuel to actually arrive - much like a real beaurocracy.

Operations against Raver in the SRA have come to a grinding halt due to my lack of fuel producing bases in the southern SRA to operate from. I was running out in Malaya - but then I took singapore, and brunei isn't that far off. Suddenly I've got fuel and oil getting produced locally - so therefore I don't need to ship in all the fuel required, which makes it great to base ships there.

At kendari, it produces supply, keeping my aircraft and troops there safe from starvation (as in, I don't ship supplies in for them, I do ship lots of resources and a little supply elsewhere from Kendari as there is a little surplus at the moment). However there is no fuel there, and since I don't have Balikpapan or Tarakan, all the fuel for my ships based there needs to be shipped in from as far away as tokyo. Hence the big empty spot in the AAR where my crushing victories were supposed to be.

From now on I will keep an operational supply force, as Frag suggested, with 50k of supply and 50k of fuel loaded onto transports and tankers somewhere ready to go at a moments notice.

I mean I even ran out of supply in the PI at one stage, because I had forgotten to add the captured PI bases to my auto convoy system.

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Post #: 15

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 11:48:28 AM

Sneer

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for me crucial thing is defining personally is special cases "requested" level to stockpile supply for important areas of operation.
Can I define level of supply I want to be kept by auto convoy system?

Added to FAQ

< Message edited by Kid -- 5/25/2004 11:26:47 AM >

(in reply to Luskan)

Post #: 16

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 1:27:40 PM

siRkid

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Sneer

for me crucial thing is defining personally is special cases "requested" level to stockpile supply for important areas of operation.
Can I define level of supply I want to be kept by auto convoy system?

No but sounds like a good improvment.

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(in reply to Sneer)

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RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 1:31:22 PM

siRkid

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Another question for ya.. Do these convoys run continously, or only when the computer determines the target base needs supplies.. As in if they computer will support Truk to 2000 supplies, but I dump a large convoy there in anticipation of an upcoming offensive, will the computer continue to ship in supplies on schedule, or does it stop until Truk needs more ?

Xargun

The way I understand it the AI checks the base requirements and dispatches TFs are needed. So no they would not be considered continuous.

_____________________________

Former War in the Pacific Test Team Manager and Beta Tester for War in the East.

(in reply to Xargun)

Post #: 18

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 2:20:16 PM

tiredoftryingnames

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The important thing to remember is the auto convoy system is good to maintain secondary backwoods bases that don't get much action. It's like a staff that you delegate to handle all the low intensity stuff to keep you from being bothered by it. If you base fleet units at a base and they are conducting operations from that base and returning to refuel part of your job is to keep that base well stocked with fuel. Consider it part of your combat operations and you better handle it. Let the auto convoy system stock the islands with a garrison on it and maybe some patrol or fighter units on it. If it's a front line base you need to send out supplies and fuel BEFORE you conduct operations.

< Message edited by tiredoftryingnames -- 5/25/2004 7:18:56 AM >

(in reply to siRkid)

Post #: 19

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 3:21:56 PM

Apollo11

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Hi all,

quote:

ORIGINAL: tiredoftryingnames

The important thing to remember is the auto convoy system is good to maintain secondary backwoods bases that don't get much action. It's like a staff that you delegate to handle all the low intensity stuff to keep you from being bothered by it. If you base fleet units at a base and they are conducting operations from that base and returning to refuel part of your job is to keep that base well stocked with fuel. Consider it part of your combat operations and you better handle it. Let the auto convoy system stock the islands with a garrison on it and maybe some patrol or fighter units on it. If it's a front line base you need to send out supplies and fuel BEFORE you conduct operations.

Anyone from WitP BETA testers (and staff) ever tried to manage all convoys manually?

Leo "Apollo11"

(in reply to tiredoftryingnames)

Post #: 20

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 3:26:53 PM

tiredoftryingnames

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yes when the system was broke a while back I ran all my own convoys. It's easy to forget bases and adds alot of time to inputting orders.

(in reply to Apollo11)

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RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 3:38:29 PM

Apollo11

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Hi all,

quote:

ORIGINAL: tiredoftryingnames

yes when the system was broke a while back I ran all my own convoys. It's easy to forget bases and adds alot of time to inputting orders.

OK.

Thanks for info!

BTW, does WitP offer similar convoy capabilities for semi-user controlable convoys (i.e. like in UV)?

Leo "Apollo11"

(in reply to tiredoftryingnames)

Post #: 22

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 3:46:44 PM

tiredoftryingnames

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Yes you can set up a TF, give it a destination and turn it to computer control and it travels back and forth between the bases. It's different than the auto convoy system.

So for example I could put 10 AKs, 2 TKs and 2 DDs in the automatic convoy system and turn on auto convoy at Midway, Noumea, and Johnston Island. The system would supply those bases when they needed resupplying and I don't have to worry about them. I could also create a TF with 4 AKs and a TK and tell it to load supplies and give it a destination of Pearl Harbor. Then I would switch it to computer control and it would move back and forth between the base and Pearl carrying supplies and fuel constantly not just when the base needs it. That way I can keep it stocked above it's needs for operations. Then I can create any TFs that I deem necessary to supply other bases. You have 3 ways of getting supply out. Which you use is up to you and your needs.

(in reply to Apollo11)

Post #: 23

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 3:48:31 PM

rhohltjr

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr.Frag

Simply put, it allows you to dump ships into your main port and assign them to convoy duty. You also toggle bases on or off.

Main port? Only one? which? San Fran? Honolulu? Sydney? Tokyo?

Or is this a zone/area/theater "main port" type thing??

(in reply to Mr.Frag)

Post #: 24

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 3:55:17 PM

Apollo11

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Hi all,

quote:

ORIGINAL: tiredoftryingnames

Yes you can set up a TF, give it a destination and turn it to computer control and it travels back and forth between the bases. It's different than the auto convoy system.

So for example I could put 10 AKs, 2 TKs and 2 DDs in the automatic convoy system and turn on auto convoy at Midway, Noumea, and Johnston Island. The system would supply those bases when they needed resupplying and I don't have to worry about them. I could also create a TF with 4 AKs and a TK and tell it to load supplies and give it a destination of Pearl Harbor. Then I would switch it to computer control and it would move back and forth between the base and Pearl carrying supplies and fuel constantly not just when the base needs it. That way I can keep it stocked above it's needs for operations. Then I can create any TFs that I deem necessary to supply other bases. You have 3 ways of getting supply out. Which you use is up to you and your needs.

Great - thanks for info!

Leo "Apollo11"

(in reply to tiredoftryingnames)

Post #: 25

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 3:56:28 PM

tiredoftryingnames

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quote:

ORIGINAL: rhohltjr

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr.Frag

Simply put, it allows you to dump ships into your main port and assign them to convoy duty. You also toggle bases on or off.

Main port? Only one? which? San Fran? Honolulu? Sydney? Tokyo?

Or is this a zone/area/theater "main port" type thing??

Allies use San Fran and Karichi.
Japanese use Osaka.

(in reply to rhohltjr)

Post #: 26

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 5:14:01 PM

Sneer

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In certain bases which are safe from perspective of Auto conwoy system I would like to have more surplus supply then it is immiedietaly needed
Like in UV with Truk base which is crucial to supplying Salomon campaign and where periodocally can stay large potion of fleet

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Post #: 27

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 5:34:11 PM

jhdeerslayer

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Well Sneer is sounds like you can set up a UV style computer controlled convoy or do a manual one you control if you want to build up a base above and beyond what the Auto convoy will do. Teere are three ways to supply bases with convoys now it sounds like and personally I think the Auto convoy thing is a great idea to help manage a monster game like this.

A place like Truk could be set as an Auto and also supplemented with Computer controlled or Manual as well I would think. Sounds like a techinque I might consider.

(in reply to Sneer)

Post #: 28

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 5:40:40 PM

tiredoftryingnames

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If you are building up a base over it's requirement with either manual or computer controlled TFs the auto convoy routine would never really kick in for that base. The only reason to put it in the auto convoy system would be a back up for after you've pulled all the manual TFs and computer controlled TFs away from that base. They would eventually kick in once the base dropped below it's requiremens. Having it in the system while you are manually building it up will not get double TFs heading to the base as the AI will see it's above it's requirement level and ignore it.

(in reply to jhdeerslayer)

Post #: 29

RE: Auto Convoy system - 5/25/2004 5:57:10 PM

jhdeerslayer

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Ahhh.... My mistake and makes sense. If I had the game, I would know better... Hint hint hint.

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Post #: 30