Scenario for Testing: Focus Pacific

[CaptBeefheart]

ORIGINAL: paradigmblue

ORIGINAL: Commander Cody

I am wondering if I've come across a bug or a WAD. In every squadron I have set to 100% training, only skills are going up, not experience. For instance, a fighter squadron in CONUS with 100% escort training at zero range has seen zero advancement in pilot EXP in 5 days, but AIR is going up per usual. This is in a Focus Pacific game with the official patch.

Also, the second update for the two Gascoigne BBs requires the same length of time as the first update (something over 100 days going from memory).

Cheers,
CC

I believe that the training situation is normal - pilot skill increasing when training at a much faster pace than any experience gains, with no experience gains after 50 - however the Gascoigne situation is a stupid error on my part.

I'm uploading a new version of the SCEN files with this issue fixed tonight - thanks for the catch!

Updating to the new SCEN files should fix the long 2nd upgrade situation in your game.

Yep, I noticed a couple of pilots had experience go up. It just doesn't seem right for 6 days, but maybe I just never noticed it before.

No worries on those ships. It'll be a long time before that second upgrade will come about. I'll keep looking for errors.

One more thing: It seems like French naval air leaders are few in number, and not so good, similar to the way army air leaders were before.

Lowpe: Those hot-rod French DDs are the bomb. I just hope I can keep them alive awhile to create more mischief.

Cheers,
CC

[btd64]

CC,
after reading your post about experience level, I checked my own units and the experience doesn't climb as fast as the skill. IMHO only combat will increase experience. That is what I have seen in the past....gp

[Lowpe]

Pilot experience...

Japan has a whole bunch of 50+ exp pilots, but 25-30 skill level. Training there the skills all go up, but no experience gains, which is WAD I believe. Lower experience noobs have no problem in boosting their experience up.

Here is a picture of the L'Adroit class French rocket Destroyers in action. Two engagements last turn, and Japan managed to tag each one once. They are tough, and best to get them early while their crew experience is low I think.

[CaptBeefheart]

Lowpe: That's normal in my experience. Once a pilot gets up to 50 EXP it doesn't go up much further on 100% training. Skills will go to 70 or so before seeming to slow down.

In my case, in the few dedicated training squadrons it seems none of the pilots has had an EXP gain (a few pilots have had EXP gains in other rear area squadrons). These are pilots with EXP in the 20s and 30s. In other scenarios, which I've played against the AI, EXP will increase reasonably fast to 50 or so, then slow way down. It just seems much slower this time than in other games I've played. Skills seem to be going up just fine in training squadrons, by the way.

Cheers,
CC

[Lowpe]

Commander Cody and I are fighting right along, and I will continue to post what I think are interesting pictures with the new ships and other toys this mod offers...

Here is one:

[Lowpe]

There are quite a few of these uber AA units scattered across Japan....just waiting to give some B29s some love.

[Lowpe]

Dec 17th, 1941...

Landed a division + at Palembang...first attack got a 2-1. Might get it with the next attack. Fighting for Johore should take it easily. Luzon collapsing on Clark AF base; Moulmein looks abandoned, should be there in a day.

Unmak in the Aluetians is taken, Kavieng, New Guinea bases taken, Buin landed at.

It looks bleak for the Allies...but their naval strength in the west is not tested yet.

I keep coming across neat units...found some kind of foot recon unit that withdraws in 130 days. I wonder if it is in the stock game and I always missed it before? Anyhow, I sent some AMCs or something like that to snatch them up, and get them somewhere there is fighting so as to use them.

Lots, and lots of surprises coming for the Allies very shortly.[:D]

[paradigmblue]

Since I've made so many changes since General Patton and I have started our game, we've decided to start our game over. I'm going to take the opportunity to make some tweaks to the mod as well.

For those that have been playing - Lowpe, Commander Cody, and Patton - what has frustrated you about the mod? What have you liked? What things make you go "If only that was different?" or "I wish that X was in the mod?"

Also, I plan on adding some quality of life improvements - like some Japanese fighter training squadrons similar to the ones that I added for the US, Great Britain and Australia. Let me know what other quality of life additions or changes that I can make.

[btd64]

Para,
ARD's. There in BTS and some DBB's scenarios. Training unit for the Japanese is a good idea. That alone could keep there airforces in the fight a little longer.
Para, let me know when your ready to get started....GP

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: General Patton

Para,
ARD's. There in BTS and some DBB's scenarios. Training unit for the Japanese is a good idea. That alone could keep there airforces in the fight a little longer.
Para, let me know when your ready to get started....GP

You don't think Japan's AF will be in the fight?[&:]

What are you smoking? You can have Karyu in mid 43! Rob is a game changer, and it can come in late 42![:D]

I was thinking the exact opposite...how will the Allies advance because they will never have air superiority.

Like the ARD idea..., how about a V1 or V2 for Japan? Is that doable?

[paradigmblue]

ORIGINAL: General Patton

Para,
ARD's. There in BTS and some DBB's scenarios. Training unit for the Japanese is a good idea. That alone could keep there airforces in the fight a little longer.
Para, let me know when your ready to get started....GP

What's an ARD?

[Lowpe]

Floating, movable drydock. Very slow, but better than an AR.

[paradigmblue]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Floating, movable drydock. Very slow, but better than an AR.

Gotcha, I'll see if I can't steal a few from BtS. Any thoughts on their arrival dates and locations?

Lowpe, the issue of allied air inferiority is one that I've been thinking quite a bit about. I've made some tweaks in the mod that I haven't released yet, tweaking the experience up for a couple of the allied squadrons at the beginning of the game.

I'm also toying with the idea of adding some more advanced aircraft to the allied aircraft purchase system, allowing the allied player "keep up" with Japanese R&D of airframes by using PP to buy airframes 6 months before their production date. Having a limited number of Thuds or Corsairs 6 months early could go a long way - though the allied player burns through these airframes they would not be able to replace them until the actual production date.

As far as naval units go, I'm fairly happy with how things stand currently, though I may ask Gary Childress to create artwork for the Dutch Design 1047 battlecruiser, which would be an interesting addition to the Dutch Navy.

[CaptBeefheart]

Some points:

1. Agreed on tweaking up the stats of some of the Allied pilots. As it is, they easily get swept in the early days.
2. It would help if good Allied aircraft were available earlier. Perhaps Juan's mods could be used for some ideas for "what-if" aircraft as well (Ryan Fireball, B-27 Marauder II, B-19, etc.).
3. IJ has plenty of extra air groups with which to conduct training--not sure they need more.
4. The shipyards at Kwangchowan and Noumea might be more beneficial to IJ than Allies in the long run. Also, aircraft production at Kwangchowan is quite vulnerable.
5. Tahiti as a shipyard seems a net positive for the Allies, as the IJ would need to make a big effort to get there.
6. ARDs do help. The BtS (or DaBabes) reinforcement schedule should be good. DaBabes also has more of those at start.
7. I've seen Dutch BCs, but can't remember which mod.
8. Some scenarios have Perth as a Level 3 shipyard. To me that helps a lot with basing SSs there.
9. I'd like to humbly ask for the addition of stacking limits.

Cheers,
CC

[ny59giants]

Aviation Support (AS) - Depending on the increased number of air groups added, this will be a problem throughout the game.

Allies - Since their BFs go from 72 to 96 on 1 Jan 44, maybe their various Air HQs have a second increase in AS. Don't forget all those MAG HQs that could use more. The Aussie and CW BFs in India could have higher AS when they upgrade in early 42.

Japan - Like the Allies, increase their Air HQs when they have upgrades (maybe add another upgrade). Increase AS for BFs when they upgrade.

Allied CD convoys that arrive at Cape Town - maybe add some airframes for Allies to some of these since they disband into the pools. In 42, more P-40Es, Hurricane IIc, and maybe more B-25/6s since American airgroups are short of medium bombers until late 42.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Commander Cody

Some points:

1. Agreed on tweaking up the stats of some of the Allied pilots. As it is, they easily get swept in the early days.
2. It would help if good Allied aircraft were available earlier. Perhaps Juan's mods could be used for some ideas for "what-if" aircraft as well (Ryan Fireball, B-27 Marauder II, B-19, etc.).
3. IJ has plenty of extra air groups with which to conduct training--not sure they need more.
4. The shipyards at Kwangchowan and Noumea might be more beneficial to IJ than Allies in the long run. Also, aircraft production at Kwangchowan is quite vulnerable.
5. Tahiti as a shipyard seems a net positive for the Allies, as the IJ would need to make a big effort to get there.
6. ARDs do help. The BtS (or DaBabes) reinforcement schedule should be good. DaBabes also has more of those at start.
7. I've seen Dutch BCs, but can't remember which mod.
8. Some scenarios have Perth as a Level 3 shipyard. To me that helps a lot with basing SSs there.
9. I'd like to humbly ask for the addition of stacking limits.

Cheers,
CC

I am not sure there is much you can do against Dec Japanese sweeps. Other than to give ground that is. Japanese starting pilots are extremely skilled and experienced.

I agree, no need for dedicated fighter trainer squadron that I can see for Japan.

Noumea is probably better for the Allies...depending. If Japan goes heavily there...Oz is most likely gone too. Perhaps even NZ. However, if Japan goes China/India Noumea will be very helpful to the Allies. So maybe a wash.

No exp with stacking limits...I have read both it hurts and hinders, but will defer to your experience.

I just don't think you guys realize how strong Japan is. Commander Cody is finding out a little bit, but unless Lockhart has something up his sleeve he doesn't grasp how strong Japan is.

[CaptBeefheart]

Lowpe: Sweeps are a new thing to me since the computer player doesn't seem to use them. Perhaps not a lot can be done. You also may be right on the Noumea shipyard being a wash as it would depend on where the IJ player focuses his wrath.

Stacking limits add an interesting dimension to the game. CenPac campaigns require more planning as you can't just stack a bunch of invasion troops in one central place to draw from. Also, in CBI you can't go around with a massive unstoppable death stack.

Paradigmblue: Another thing I thought of was more French shipping (xAK), with a handful of AE (or AKE), AD and AR conversion possibilities. Wouldn't mind a few French engineering units as well.

Cheers,
CC

[DOCUP]

The Dutch 1047 BC is located in Juan's ultimate battleship mod. Nice ship for the Dutch.

[CaptBeefheart]

Pradigm: By the way, does this scenario have stock AA values? I think DaBabes tweaked them up to a level that seems more realistic.

Also, I just got a P-47N squadron on Dec 19, 1941 (you've probably seen and corrected it). Can't wait to do some payback sweeps with it (just kidding, Lowpe).

Cheers,
CC

[Lowpe]

How about a little stiffer starting garrison at Palembang...or perhaps stronger coastal guns?

The coastal guns there did take down 2 DMS, and damaged 4 others, but were pretty much a non factor the for the cruiser protected landings.

I will take Palembang around Dec 18, dropped off a full division and some other odds and ends.

You guys have no idea I think what Japan can do in this mod...but CC is going to find out.[:)] Of course, like most games a lot depends upon Singers & Palembang falling quickly. So a little stiffer starting defence at Palembang could slow the Japanese juggernaut down.