quote:

ORIGINAL: crsutton

There are some players that never set search arcs and swear that it works just fine. You should just experiment around. Personally I use search arcs and try to set up interlocking arcs from supporting bases. That is, I want to fully search possible routes of advance rather that worry about all around. If it is an isolated base with no supporting bases nearby then I suppose I would use perhaps two squadrons set for maximum normal range with no search arcs.

quote:

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

I'm one of the most vocal in claiming they are unnecessary chrome.

You're committing 36 PBYs to a single base to get 360 degree coverage!!!!

I find that to be an astronomical over commitment.

I never place more than one squad of 12 on any given small island base or seaplane tended dot base.

I very rarely ever get surprised by a TF that gets inside my search range.

It does happen, but its rare enough for me that I don't feel the need to micromanage arcs and leave myself blind on an arc that I can't cover for lack of sufficient planes.

Be aware that the daily grind of planes going into maintenance or taking damage reduces your intended coverage and leaves you blind along alleys you may not realize.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

No matter the arc set, some search is done in a 3 hex circle I believe. This is an old Alfred gem, & I am not being precise so if you want better you can search for it.[;)]

Not understanding it has led to a number of lost searchers blundering into heavy CAP.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ambassador

Hi fellows,

In my new campaign against the AI (playing the Allies, once more...), I started forward basing my Catalinas at small islands across the Pacific.

I have enough support (base forces, AV & AVD) and supply everywhere I need them.

Next step was improving the search settings : arcs, rest, range.

I use long-term settings, with good rest & training ratios, and reduce to range to normal to limit fatigue. This means I use up to four or five squadrons at a single base to cover 360°.

My question is : would it be better to organize the search arcs so that all 36 of them are covered individually, or is it better to just let each of the squadrons search in a 360° degree ? IOW, is the penalty for the fact of having a 360° search for one squadron with insufficient planes to cover all arcs (let's say only a quarter of what is needed), greater or smaller than a factor 4 (aka "with four times as many planes, do I fare as well or better for every arc than if I covered each arc with a dedicated plane") ?

Thank you for your attention.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ambassador

Hi fellows,

In my new campaign against the AI (playing the Allies, once more...), I started forward basing my Catalinas at small islands across the Pacific.

I have enough support (base forces, AV & AVD) and supply everywhere I need them.

Next step was improving the search settings : arcs, rest, range.

I use long-term settings, with good rest & training ratios, and reduce to range to normal to limit fatigue. This means I use up to four or five squadrons at a single base to cover 360°.

My question is : would it be better to organize the search arcs so that all 36 of them are covered individually, or is it better to just let each of the squadrons search in a 360° degree ? IOW, is the penalty for the fact of having a 360° search for one squadron with insufficient planes to cover all arcs (let's say only a quarter of what is needed), greater or smaller than a factor 4 (aka "with four times as many planes, do I fare as well or better for every arc than if I covered each arc with a dedicated plane") ?

Thank you for your attention.

That is not how naval search operates.

Read this thread and the hyper links it contains.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3749607&mpage=1&key=search%2Carcs?

Other than the 4 hex range which is 360, search planes take only 10 degrees for hex 5 and beyond. Setting it to computer control only means the computer is determining where the search begins that turn. Once the computer has run out of planes the search stops.

Three PBY squadrons at full TOE provides 36 aircraft. Setting each squadron to 100% search in theory gives 360 degree coverage but operational losses will occur thus degrading the search. Plus how do you know that the computer will select squadron A to start searching at 000, squadron B to start at 130 and squadron C to start at 250. With the die rolls it might instead start at 000, 060 and 120 which would leave 250 to 360 completely uncovered.

Alfred

quote:

ORIGINAL: m_shane_perkins

I preface this by saying I am not as an experienced player here as most. But I think part of the discussion about arcs is finding a balance between reality and computer playing overload. In real life someone is giving an order to every search plane or squadron for every mission. Reconnaissance assets are managed carefully and precisely. Searches are planned based on Intel and Ops assessments. So if you want the ultimate reality you would only assign arcs. But going into that level of detail every turn would become boring and take away the game fun. IMO the developers gave you an option here that lets you balance your game play and focus.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

quote:

ORIGINAL: m_shane_perkins

I preface this by saying I am not as an experienced player here as most. But I think part of the discussion about arcs is finding a balance between reality and computer playing overload. In real life someone is giving an order to every search plane or squadron for every mission. Reconnaissance assets are managed carefully and precisely. Searches are planned based on Intel and Ops assessments. So if you want the ultimate reality you would only assign arcs. But going into that level of detail every turn would become boring and take away the game fun. IMO the developers gave you an option here that lets you balance your game play and focus.

Yeah, and that's fine and all... But there really are lots of occasions where you only have to set up the squadron's search arcs once. If you keep the unit at around 50-60% search (for low SR aircraft), you'll never have to manage them except to periodically make sure they have enough aircraft. With the high SR aircraft, you'll have to make sure you stand them down from time to time and probably use a lower search percentage.

quote:

ORIGINAL: m_shane_perkins

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

quote:

ORIGINAL: m_shane_perkins

I preface this by saying I am not as an experienced player here as most. But I think part of the discussion about arcs is finding a balance between reality and computer playing overload. In real life someone is giving an order to every search plane or squadron for every mission. Reconnaissance assets are managed carefully and precisely. Searches are planned based on Intel and Ops assessments. So if you want the ultimate reality you would only assign arcs. But going into that level of detail every turn would become boring and take away the game fun. IMO the developers gave you an option here that lets you balance your game play and focus.

Yeah, and that's fine and all... But there really are lots of occasions where you only have to set up the squadron's search arcs once. If you keep the unit at around 50-60% search (for low SR aircraft), you'll never have to manage them except to periodically make sure they have enough aircraft. With the high SR aircraft, you'll have to make sure you stand them down from time to time and probably use a lower search percentage.

That's my point. You made your analysis then assigned arcs in order to provide reconnaissance and security. You didn't leave it up to the Squadron commander to decide. That's all I was trying to say. I assume most players don't use arcs with float planes from surface task forces unless they are requiring information on a certain base or sea area.