Lokasenna -> RE: Notes from a Small Island (12/22/2017 2:10:25 AM)
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ORIGINAL: Canoerebel Gents, one member of the community sent me the link to a long discussion of reaction that occurred between Alfred and Lokasenna earlier this year. The discussion delved into when and why TFs react. I didn't find any discussion on how to avoid reaction. Back a long, long time ago, it was possible to avoid or minimize reaction by having a carrier TF follow a merchant TF. That feature might have been nerfed or might have been a figment of my imagination. It doesn't matter, though, as I don't want to use it even if it works. I don't want carriers and combat TFs following merchant vessels. Traditionally, I have my carrier TFs follow ASW TFs (or, more rarely, combat TFs). That's what was going on when the react happened twice during the Kuriles campaign. It's also what happened when a carrier TF reacted in SoPac recently in my game with John III. I tried lowering the aggression ratings of my carrier commanders. That was not a solution. The TFs still reacted. That leaves me with two options (unless you guys know of others): (1) plan on carriers reacting, configuring them as best you can, or (2) create carrier TFs with both CVs and CVEs. The advantage of the latter is that my carriers then won't become separated. The disadvantage is that the TFs will slow down and be more subject to attacks by enemy subs and, presumably, combat TFs and strike aircraft. So it's by no means a perfect solution but it's probably better than living with reaction dividing carrier protection piecemeal. What do you guys think? Anybody know of a better tactic to prevent or minimize reaction? In my many, many carrier battles (OK, like 8 or 10 maybe), my experience is: If you are within 5 or so hexes, they will react. If you are at 7 or more, they will not react. I have a very strong hunch this is a holdover from WITP code, but it's just a hunch. With michaelm being MIA since last year, we really have no idea on this. But I've never seen CVs react at 7 or 8 hexes, while I've seen them react to spitting range when at 4-5 hexes apart. Aggression doesn't seem to matter. If your CVs are at that reaction range, they will simply react. Sometimes CVEs don't react. TFs set to follow will not follow the reaction (I think). So - as the Allies, it's best to shoot for either 6-7 hexes of range (I don't think they react at 6 hexes but have honestly never ended up at that distance that I can recall), but if you don't want a battle err on the side of farther. If you do want a battle, err 1 hex closer if there is LBA present that you don't want to get sucked under. Shooting for 7 hexes is mitigated later when your planes can fly with DTs at that range and normal load, but IJN damage control being what it is 500-lb bombs still punch big fiery holes. And if I really don't want a battle, but the landing is going in anyway, I just set everything to 100% CAP (not 50% CAP with no escorts - the CAP squadrons are set to 100% and range 0 always, or 80-100% LRCAP and range 0). As Japan, I just add a hex to those ranges. I try for 8 hexes, but will err on the side of 7 if I need to. If I know the invasion target, 8 hexes is easy. If I'm guessing, it's all up in the air. Summary: I just try to eliminate chances for reaction. If I think my guys are going to react, I'll either send EVERYTHING (including the CVEs) closer so there's no reaction, or go for the 7-hex distance so there's no reaction (which gives 1 hex of buffer if a distance of 6 is also no react).
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