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Auto convoy system - 8/5/2004 9:43:26 AM   
dkurtz39

 

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Desperate need for UI improvement here. Getting the right bases into the auto convoy system is really difficult until/unless you know off the top of your head where each base is.

Simplest solution: add toggle for auto convoy to the base info panel that appears at the bottom of the screen. That way you can go base-to-base through them, see where they are on the map, decide, and set it without a click to open base info screen and a click to close it.
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RE: Auto convoy system - 8/5/2004 9:50:52 AM   
Fallschirmjager


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No no....its so far broken that its best to let it be broke. Far easier just to manage it yourself. The computer makes the dumbest TF's and packs them with way too much supply and fuel. Utterly useless and completly stupid system.

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RE: Auto convoy system - 8/5/2004 10:15:30 AM   
dkurtz39

 

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That's a serious shame. I'm really not sure I want to spend that much time playing Quartermaster General...

It worked pretty well in Pacific War, even without the ability to add or subtract bases from the system.

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RE: Auto convoy system - 8/5/2004 10:28:07 AM   
MadDawg

 

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Actually this is one of the things I was really looking forward to myself after UV, it was an advertised feature, and Ill personally be very dissappointed if its not fixed in a patch (I havnt used it myself so Im not sure how broke it really is?).

Im really suprised that such an important feature such as this wasnt completely tested before release.

Dawg

< Message edited by MadDawg -- 8/5/2004 8:28:45 AM >

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RE: Auto convoy system - 8/5/2004 10:57:27 AM   
usecase

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: dkurtz39

That's a serious shame. I'm really not sure I want to spend that much time playing Quartermaster General...

It worked pretty well in Pacific War, even without the ability to add or subtract bases from the system.


I'm not a fanboi, but the criticism is overdone. You can use autoconvoy just fine for rear bases. You just need to remember that rear _really_ means rear. So places like the Aleutians, Anchorage, Midway et al are fine. Oh, and don't use tankers in the convoy pool.

As a human, you'll typically be creating a few large 'hubs', which are easy to manage. For example in my first game, the big bases that needed serious logistical support were PH, Suva (then Noumea), and later Kwajelein, Ulithi, Manila.

Cheers,

John.

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RE: Auto convoy system - 8/5/2004 11:27:53 AM   
MadDawg

 

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Good to hear!

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RE: Auto convoy system - 8/5/2004 4:41:11 PM   
Ron Saueracker


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The limitations of the system do not necessarily mean it's totally useless or broken. Just set up a series of CS convoys. Ie A large CS convoy(s) between San Francisco and Pago Pago. Then a multitude of smaller CS convoys from Pago Pago to bases in the area plus a larger CS convoys to NZ, OZ etc. Works fine and because ports do not have an operational limit, loading and unloading is no biggy. Just make sure that the convoy path is acceptable (waypoints would be very useful here!).

The Auto convoy feature is OK for very rear area bases that do not need a huge stockpile of supplies (to conduct offensive ops) but I just CS convoy everything anyway. I check them every few months and rotate system damaged ships out for overhaul.

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RE: Auto convoy system - 8/5/2004 6:26:36 PM   
carnifex


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I find that once you have your manually managed hub-based supply transport net up and running, it really doesn't take that much work. I just check my out of the way bases like once a month or so, and if they need some goods I fire off a convoy and forget about it for another month.

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RE: Auto convoy system - 8/5/2004 6:34:58 PM   
ZOOMIE1980

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Fallschirmjager

No no....its so far broken that its best to let it be broke. Far easier just to manage it yourself. The computer makes the dumbest TF's and packs them with way too much supply and fuel. Utterly useless and completly stupid system.


I couldn't disagree with this more. The mere thought of managing rear area supply for over 100 bases is simply numbing. Yes the auto-convoy system needs a few tweeks, those are mentioned in my thread on the support list, above, if you will take a look. Basically they need to do a better job of considering supplies en-route to bases in their decision making algorithm.

And define a "dumb" TF? Supply TF's in rear areas do not need escorts. Sure, having a DD along for ASW is nice but there are NEVER enough of these to go around. And IF you have a DD or MSW in the system, it WILL use it. Most bases get one or two AK's and maybe a TK. The problem is bases a long way away tend to get more than one TF heading to them, which is something they are going to look at in the next patch from I understand. Remember also, as was mentioned in the support thread, if you have a major HQ or several, that base will make very substantial requests.

You simply have to be intelligent in which bases you pick to participate. They need to be well into the rear and positioned such that the TF routes will not take them anywhere near enemy long range bomber deployments.

(in reply to Fallschirmjager)
Post #: 9
RE: Auto convoy system - 8/5/2004 6:38:10 PM   
Bradley7735


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Well, I've only played the allies, so I can't comment on it's use for Japan. But, I think it's pretty good when used for the allies.

You put backwater bases on auto convoy (all of AK, all of Central Pac bases, most of South Pac bases (Luganville and Noumea, but nothing north of that), all the SE Australia bases (no farther north than Sydney) And all the India bases up to Madras.

The system will supply all these bases without problems. Of course, the allies have all the supply you could want, so it does give more than a normal, efficient player would give. It also doesn't have to pick up oil or resources.

As far as the task forces routing through the Marshals, just watch the TF throughout it's journey. It will eventually route itself south and around the marshals (for those convoys going to Noumea and SE Australia.)

The only bases that you have to manually supply are Port Moresby, Lunga, Perth, Andaman Is (if you still own it), and the NE part of India. And you have to manually do your own supply hubs for future ops. (Pearl, Noumea, others??)

I think it's a great system for the allies. It'd be even better if you could put PG's and PC's into it.

bc

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RE: Auto convoy system - 8/5/2004 6:39:39 PM   
ZOOMIE1980

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Ron Saueracker

The limitations of the system do not necessarily mean it's totally useless or broken. Just set up a series of CS convoys. Ie A large CS convoy(s) between San Francisco and Pago Pago. Then a multitude of smaller CS convoys from Pago Pago to bases in the area plus a larger CS convoys to NZ, OZ etc. Works fine and because ports do not have an operational limit, loading and unloading is no biggy. Just make sure that the convoy path is acceptable (waypoints would be very useful here!).

The Auto convoy feature is OK for very rear area bases that do not need a huge stockpile of supplies (to conduct offensive ops) but I just CS convoy everything anyway. I check them every few months and rotate system damaged ships out for overhaul.



If you play Japan you'll find the CS convoys don't seem to fit very well, but auto convoy does. They have dozens and dozens of small bases with base forces that need minimal supply at regular intervals, including all those bases on the Chinese coast to support operations inland. They only real "glitch" in the system is that it tends to send multiple convoys to bases in some cases, where the extra convoys are not really needed. Probably because they are not adequately considering supplies already en-route in their algorithm. However, if you move a major HQ into a base that already has a convoy headed to it, you WILL get another, fairly large one right behind it, because it appears HQ's make substantial requests. (Gotta make sure the generals have their Cognac...).

Plus, autoconvoy automates the movement of oil and resources from you captured bases. VERY nice reduction of workload for the already overloaded Jap player

< Message edited by ZOOMIE1980 -- 8/5/2004 4:40:36 PM >

(in reply to Ron Saueracker)
Post #: 11
RE: Auto convoy system - 8/5/2004 9:14:42 PM   
Fallschirmjager


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Once you drop a 7k AK at a rear base you dont have to supply it again for 6 months. If your building there maybe every 3 months.

Not quite as bad as it seems.
Even easier to supply a major base on the land mass with like 50k supply and then it will move along road and rails to where it needs to go.

Easier and safer to manage it yourself.
1x AK
2x SC
1x PG
1x DE (when avaliable)

Thats my standerd rear base supply convoy.

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