Resource Management is the key.

If i want a transport navy, ill buy as many as i can in and given round, regardless of how many tanks or infantry i have. If you build just enough to transport, you run the risk of losing it to any particular attack.

What im saying is, the best way to build up for a amphibious landing is to build the units to transport then the transports themselves or vice-versa.

[ This Message was edited by: Mr Ghoul on 2002-03-28 16:11 ]

I think with Japan, you won’t have to worry about air or naval attacks trying to wipe out your transports. All Japan really has to worry about is 1 UK ftr. India (Russia will probably be too busy with its ftrs in Europe). And since Japan is constantly expanding its borders, there’ll come a time where Allied aircraft simply can’t find anywhere to land.

Whenever I play with Japan, I try to build just enough trans. because I don’t want to risk stalling out as stated above.

Never before have we had so little time in which to do so much

[ This Message was edited by: TG Moses VI on 2002-03-28 16:02 ]

You wont stall if you buy the transports first.

Won’t stall if I build transports first?

Well if I build nothing but transports for Japan on the first turn and then load up all my existing forces into transports, by T2 I should have 3 transports plus 2 more (assuming our transports haven’t been destroyed). However I would only have 1 tank, 2 inf. to transport from Japan and Okinawa. However, if I had bought only 2 tansports and 3 inf. I would have 4 transports and 1 ARM, 5 inf. What sounds like the better idea?

Never before have we had so little time in which to do so much

[ This Message was edited by: TG Moses VI on 2002-03-28 16:45 ]

I didnt say anything about turns!? Or Japan for that matter.

Ok, maybe it did have a little to do with japan……but i stand by my first statement.

Well how would you build all transports first? Do you mean just all transports or what? Even for other countries beside Japan (like USA) you still have to be realistic and see that you can’t build more transports than existing production can bear.

I sort of see what Ghoul is saying but I think it applies only to a situation (like UKs) where the enemy can sink a navy that isn’t large enough. But situations change, and when your turn rolls around again, you may regret being unable to attack a nearby zone (maybe a different zone than the one you had originally intended) because you have a whole bunch of TRs with nothing to put on them–don’t trap yourself; retain your flexibility by playing “lean” and only buying as many TRs as you will need…

Ozone27

Yeah, that’s probably what he’s trying to say. However, even with UK I wouldn’t suggest buying all transports again. What will offer greater protection: 2 transports (16 IPCs) or 1 Aircraft Carrier (18 IPCs)? I think that the single aircraft carrier will offer greater protection, provided you can get USA or Russia to land at least one of their fighters on it.

Yeah, unsupported TRs are one of the worst defensive buys ever…I’m assuming in my response that there is already a CV there…

Ozone27

I wouldnt buy transports if i didnt have protection for them already……give me a little credit.

When i play the allies, i dont invade amphibiously until i have a force large enough to attack and hold the country im liberating. So, Ill just buy the Tranports OR ground units all first. Attacking piece meal is ok for icp grabs but youll never hold ground- just drag things out. Which may lead to waste over the long run.

[ This Message was edited by: Mr Ghoul on 2002-04-02 18:26 ]

I agree completely with you. In fact, my guide talks a lot about resource management.

(I tried to type it while on vacation, but didn’t get far. I never could sit down and write something that long without being forced to)

Well with the Allies you don’t have to worry as much as not holding territories for more than a turn. For example: UK attacks with her forces and manages to take Western Europe with three inf. remaining. Of course it would seem like these 3 inf are piece meal to German forces. But on the following turns USA also lands in WE reinforcing the territory with 10 inf. As you can see, Allied coordination plays a huge role in these efforts.

Even better, Britain takes with forces, America and Russia bring all their troops and fighters in. This way they can hold it.

But where should the landing occur? Eastern Europe. Then again if Russian armies are in position a all out strike against Berlin would be something I would very much like to see.

Eastern Europe could be followed up by Russian forces. Do that if the Russians are strong. Western Europe splits the German forces, do that if Russia is weak.

Ah I see. Two different striking points will definately force the Germany forces to split themselves and keep them off guard. But this requires that American transports are at least in the Canadian sea zone.

Where are your transports? Usually, I position them so they can pick up troops in Eastern Canada and deposite them in Finland Norway. This not only sets up a strike in any of Europe, but supplies infantry every single turn.

Well in one play style I use with USA I try to go straight for the jugular and try to take back Africa and Western Europe as soon as possible. However in a different mindset I try to help my Russian friends as much as possible along with liberating Africa. WE comes much later in the game (at least turn 6) when the Germans are retreating from Eastern Europe. I guess your strat would definately apply with the later.

Resource management is definitely the most important for countries who have the widest amount of options to choose from. USSR for example, will have no choice to indulge heavily in ground forces for the first few rounds. A country with many different options, like the United States or Japan, must be the most careful of all. Too many players think that because the US is the richest country, it can blow a few IPC here and there, and although it may not be a problem for US themselves, the overall Allied situation will still deteriorate.

Japan must be a great opportunist early on while its production is low. Enforcing mainland Asia is the main concern so it must make sure it has enough transports to keep Asia stocked, and also enough ground forces to use for those transports. Balance of units is the best way to go. The USSR player is the exception, but every other country who can’t maintain an active air force, significant ground forces and wide-ranging navy will lose ground.