witpqs
Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004 From: Argleton Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Helldiver Greetings. Awaiting AE, I am in the midst of a stock WitP game playing as Japan against the Allied AI. I managed a decisive victory (43K-10K) at the start of 1943 and elected to continue. My general ASW strategy was to keep about two dozen ASW TFs patrolling in Home Waters areas adjacent to ports receiving resources/oil from the south. These consisted of MSW, PG, APD, and PC groups with ASW values ranging from 4-20. In addition, I had MSW, PC, PG escorts within the resource TFs whenever possible (especially protecting TKs). I had been profligate with DDs while expanding the Empire and really couldn't spare any for ASW work. This worked generally fine until 1943. It seems as if a "switch" was thrown at the start of '43. USN fleet SS have bagged 35-40 ASW ships in Home Waters in the first three months of the year. The SS often get the first shot and the shot sinks a patrol craft. Leads me to my AE question: Can any of the AE dev. team members summarize/repeat some general advice or impressions (from playtesting) about the most favorable methods of deploying ASW assets (especially as Japan) in AE? So far I understand that the numbers of Es, etc. will mushroom and that close-in port patrol appears to pay dividends. Also, I got that ASW TFs will be limited in # of ships. I also read with interest the posts in the early 300s of this thread. Any other advice about composition/tactics or do I have to find out the hard way? Regards, Helldiver p.s. Yes, I know Japan is not supposed to win... First, this sub-forum is for the AE product that they are still working on (not released yet), so this question probably belongs in either the War Room sub-forum or in the main WITP forum. The direct answer to your question is that USN sub torpedoes have possibly improved by that date. Also, most or all of the USN subs should have refitted to add radar. Both of those things should move the scale toward their favor. They also get a ton of subs, so maybe sometimes your escorts are just overwhelmed. Hope this helps.
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