Slitherine

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ORIGINAL: composer99

The pertinent rule text, in §24.1.5 is:

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Sort your units into force pools. Each major power needs a separate force pool for each unit type. So, you need one each for CAV, INF, MIL, GAR, MOT, MTN, MAR, PARA, MECH, ARM, HQ-A, HQ-I, SUB, CL, CA, BB, CV, TRS, AMPH, Convoy points, FTR, LND, NAV and ATR. You only have 1 force pool for each type regardless of how many countries contribute units to your force pools.

Some of these unit types come with different costs. For example, some LND will cost you 4, some will cost you 5 and some will cost 6 build points. Separate each unit type into a sub-force pool for each cost (first cycle cost only in the case of naval units).

It's odd that the production panel shows that CVs, BBs, CAs, and CLs have their own row in the panel that you can select, while TRS and AMPH don't. (Also, given the second paragraph above, and the rules I am about to cite from §13.6.5, submarines should be split into multiple rows based on their first cycle cost.)

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You must select all other units you build from the force pool randomly. You can nominate the type of unit you want to build, and sometimes even the cost you want to pay (e.g. you can choose a 2 point SCS rather than a 3 because they are in separate force pools ~ see 13.6.9). But within those parameters, the choice is random.

All that is to say that I don't know why the production panel in the screenshot displayed isn't already comprehensively breaking out units by force pool (as defined by the game rules). But it ought to.

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ORIGINAL: Dabrion

The first cycle represents the hull. That is the uniform cost cycle, the rows separated by type where you have to pick at random. The second cycle represents the superstructure. That can be varying cost and you get to choose what you want to build. This is the Naval/Submarine construction row.

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ORIGINAL: rkr1958

Well, obviously I'm confused and confusing too. But, here's my understanding, which could be completely wrong ...

It's a 2 step, or cycle, process to build a ship in MWiF:

1. Naval construction where you select ship type (e.g., large carrier, transport, battleship, cruiser).

2. Build a ship of that type (e.g., transport) and randomly get a ship of that type from the force pool. In step 2, if ships of that type are available it will show up as a separate category under "Units:" and "type".

Now my misunderstanding was in step 1. I didn't realize until yesterday evening that you could control the ship type in step 1 by clicking on that type (actually, a ship of that type) in the window to the bottom right where selecting "naval construction". I thought that was random too, that is, the selecting of the ship type in step 1 was random. Now I know that that can be specified.

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ORIGINAL: Courtenay

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ORIGINAL: rkr1958

Well, obviously I'm confused and confusing too. But, here's my understanding, which could be completely wrong ...

It's a 2 step, or cycle, process to build a ship in MWiF:

1. Naval construction where you select ship type (e.g., large carrier, transport, battleship, cruiser).

2. Build a ship of that type (e.g., transport) and randomly get a ship of that type from the force pool. In step 2, if ships of that type are available it will show up as a separate category under "Units:" and "type".

Now my misunderstanding was in step 1. I didn't realize until yesterday evening that you could control the ship type in step 1 by clicking on that type (actually, a ship of that type) in the window to the bottom right where selecting "naval construction". I thought that was random too, that is, the selecting of the ship type in step 1 was random. Now I know that that can be specified.

How to build a ship (not a convoy point) in MWiF:

1) On the production screen, click on the class of ship you want. You will get a picture of a number of ships. Click on the "Build Selected Unit Type" button on the bottom of the screen. This will pick a random unit of that class, to be partially constructed some number of turns later.

2) Wait several turns. Eventually you will get a message during the reinforcement step saying "XXXX" has been added to the construction pool, where "XXXX" is either the name of the ship, or for an AMPH or TRS MWiF's internal label for the ship.

3) In the ensuing production step, click on "Naval Construction". This will bring up a window with ships on it. There may be all types of ships in that window: CVs, CVLs, BBs, CAs, CLs, TRSs, and AMPHs. Click on the specific ship you want. Then click on the "Build" button. That will build the ship you clicked on. That precise ship, and no other. There is no randomness involved. I have no idea what ship gets built if you did not click on any; my guess would be the one in the upper left hand corner, but that is a guess.

4) Wait several more turns. Eventually, you will get your selected ship as a reinforcement.

Submarines are the same, except for "Sub Construction", rather than "Naval Construction"

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ORIGINAL: composer99

I don't see how that can be anything other than a bug.

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ORIGINAL: rkr1958

In the Guadalcanal scenario the Japanese have a requirement for a minimum of 5 convoy points at sea in the China Sea and South China Sea at the end of every turn. The number of convoy points less than those minimums translate to an equivalent number of victory points for the allied player. My question is, are there any other uses for convoys in that scenario? Specifically, the CW and US also have convoys. What use are they? And, is there any other use for Japanese convoys other than fulfilling their minimum requirements?

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ORIGINAL: Joseignacio

You can also use a convoy as a means to make the enemy find you.

For example, you have a superior air force in a sea, and you want to clash with an enemy navy force. Since you fighters are land based, you have better stats in them, so you don't care so much for his use of surprise (in the dogfight).

Then you can use a convoy of yours to give a -1 to the enemy roll. Unless the enemy is able to cancel the combat via surprise, he will have more probabilities to fight a battle you want him to fight.

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ORIGINAL: Joseignacio

You can also use a convoy as a means to make the enemy find you.

For example, you have a superior air force in a sea, and you want to clash with an enemy navy force. Since you fighters are land based, you have better stats in them, so you don't care so much for his use of surprise (in the dogfight).

Then you can use a convoy of yours to give a -1 to the enemy roll. Unless the enemy is able to cancel the combat via surprise, he will have more probabilities to fight a battle you want him to fight.