Focus Pacific Beta

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paradigmblue
Posts: 784
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 10:44 pm
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

Focus Pacific Beta

Post by paradigmblue »

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Beta 1.02.2 Patch Released 11/28/15, Download Here

If you don't currently have Focus Pacific installed, before patching to the new version the full mod must be installed, available here. See the installation instructions for directions on how to install Focus Pacific.


What is Focus Pacific?

As war brews across the globe in the 1930's, Japan breaks the Washington Naval Treaty and begins unprecedented shipbuilding program, using stocks of steel it has quietly amassed over the past ten years. Forward thinking strategists in governments across the world turn their attention to the Pacific. The results of this focus on the Pacific theater are many, and as commander of either the Japanese or the Allies, you are in the control of forces that better prepared for the coming conflict.

Focus Pacific is modification for War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition that significantly changes the order of battle for both the Japanese and the Allies. Focus Pacific plays very differently than stock, and players will find themselves employing new strategies and using units that are not present in the original game.

Focus Pacific is deeply non-historical, and many of the alternate history events (which are detailed in a post below) that would have had to transpire to make the changes in this mod possible are implausible at best. For many, these kind of changes are not their cup of tea. For those that are able to suspend their disbelief however, I hope that Focus Pacific provides a fun and fresh game-play experience.

Why Should I play Focus Pacific?

You should give Focus Pacific a try if you want to play War in the Pacific: Allied Edition with a twist. Many changes make some traditional and historical strategies more difficult for the Japanese player to execute in 1942, while others are easier. Meanwhile, many changes offer fresh opportunities for both players to capitalize upon.

Focus Pacific also scratches the itch for players who enjoy new toys. Whether it's in the form of a long-range strategic bomber for the Japanese in the form of the Rita/Liz, or an early-game allied twin-engine interceptor in the form of the P-50 Skyrocket, there are many new units to explore.

Focus Pacific relies on the feedback of it's players, so if you enjoy helping craft the future of a mod, Focus Pacific offers that opportunity. The mod today is vastly different than it was 6 months ago, and most of the changes were inspired by the invaluable feedback of its testers.

Features

Focus Pacific has over 1,000 individual changes to the Japanese and Allied OOBs, most that are detailed in the following post. At it's core though, Focus Pacific is a collection of the phenomenal work of other WitP:AE community members, packaged together with it's own unique changes.

Features Include:

Greatly expanded Japanese and Allied order of battle, including the French as a major player in the Pacific War.
Lots of new toys - New classes of ships and air-frames for both the allies and the Japanese.
The expanded map from DBB, featuring Chemkid's amazing Yamato Damashii map art.
Greater Allied aircraft flexibility - Juan's Allied aircraft purchase system.
A new theater of the war - Soviets are Active on Day 1.
Emergency Reinforcement changes - no longer does the Japanese player have to worry about crossing the line of death.
USN Torpedo Changes - Allied commander's will have the option to refit their subs to a more reliable version of the Mk 14 torpedo.

Installing Focus Pacific

1) Create a fresh and updated install of War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition in it's own folder in your Matrix games folder. I recommend renaming this folder to "Focus Pacific" for ease of use. Note that you must update to the newest version of WitP:AE before installing Focus Pacific.
2) Download Focus Pacific HERE. (For those that downloaded the full install of Focus Pacific from the other thread before the Beta 1.01 update, you can install the beta patcher HERE. (Link updated for 1.02.1)
3) Run the installer. Use "Browse" to change the install folder to your Focus Pacific folder.
4) The installer will attempt to create a new folder inside your Focus Pacific folder. If you renamed your fresh install folder to "Focus Pacific", the destination folder will now read "C:\Matrix Games\Focus Pacific\Focus Pacific Beta". You will need to change this manually. To do so, simply delete the "\Focus Pacific Beta" portion of the destination folder. In this example, the destination folder should read "C:\Matrix Games\Focus Pacific".
5) You're done! Run the game as normal, and select Scenario 71, Focus Pacific Extended.

Recommended Settings:

While you can play Focus Pacific however you'd like, several design features in Focus Pacific are based around the following settings:
Reliable USN Torpedoes: OFF
No Unit Withdrawals: ON
Player Defined Upgrades: ON
Realistic R&D: ON (However, Allied air-power is MUCH stronger in Focus Pacific than in stock. Players may decide to allow Realistic R&D OFF if they feel that the expanded reinforcements and better air-frames in Focus Pacific the allies receive need to be balanced by greater Japanese flexibility in their own production)

FAQ:

I hate the ground war as it is. Is there any way to play without active Soviets?
Yes, Scenario 72 is included as Focus Pacific without the day 1 active Soviets.

Can I play Focus Pacific vs the AI?
Yes, Focus Pacific uses AndyMac's Ironman AI scripts. However, on either side you have access to a greatly expanded OOB than those scripts were designed for. As such, any game vs the AI should be played on the hardest difficulty setting. Even then, the game will probably not be a significant challenge to you.

How do I use the Allied Aircraft Purchase System?
See HERE

What is this new submarine conversion for USN subs?
This lengthy conversion installs the Mk 14A torpedoes on your submarines that use the Mk 14 torpedo. This improvement to the Mk 14 has a much lower dud rate than in stock.

Why the new thread? Isn't there already one for Focus Pacific?
With the previous thread approaching 9 pages, it would be challenge for a new player to follow the changes and successfully install the mod with all the incremental changes. I wanted to put out a fresh thread that will have all the information on the first page. Also, because the mod is now packaged in an installer, I will be able to simply change installer download file, instead of directing the player to manually install specific files as the mod changes. At this point, while there are a LOT of polishing issues and I'm sure quite a few bugs still to find, the mod now feels complete enough to release from an alpha state to a beta.

Acknowledgements

This mod would not be possible if it wasn't for the hard work of the modders who created many of the systems, OOBs and art used in Focus Pacific, as well as testers that have patiently reported bugs (of which there are still many to find).

In no particular order, thanks to:

General Patton, who has done an incredible amount of work helping me test and improve Focus Pacific
Skyland, whose concept of the French Navy in the Pacific, as well as artwork and device stats play a major part in Focus Pacific
AndyMac, whose fantastic Ironman scenario served as the starting point for the Japanese OOB
John the 3rd, whose modding work Focus Pacific borrows heavily from, especially in the inclusion of flight-deck cruisers
Chemkid, who created the wonderful Yamato Damashii map art which is packaged with Focus Pacific
Symon, creator of DBB
Andew Brown, creator of the extended map
Gary Childress, whose amazing ship artwork makes an appearance in the mod
MadmanRick, a prolific creator of plane art, making possible many of the planes in the mod
cdnice, contributing expanded Canadian naval forces
Bullwinkle, whose thoughts on different aspects of the game inspired many of the allied OOB changes present in Focus Pacific
Lowpe, HansBolter and Commander Cody, whose feedback has invaluable through this process
Lockmart Lawndart, a PBEM partner playing Focus Pacific as the Japanese.
paradigmblue
Posts: 784
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 10:44 pm
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by paradigmblue »

This post is a work in progress, and I'll be adding more detailed information on how Focus Pacific differs from stock as time goes on.

1. Map Changes
2. Air Changes
3. Land OOB Changes
4. Naval Changes
5. Base Changes
6. Gameplay Changes
Appendixes
A. Breakdown of Focus Pacific's Naval Order of Battle vs Stock, By Year
B. French Navy
C. Canadian Navy


1. Map Changes

Extended Map
Focus Pacific features the extended map developed for the DBB Scenarios. From the DBB site:
Extension of a part of the Northern map edge to extend the Arabian Sea to the edge of the Arabian peninsula, dividing the map edge zone in the Arabian Sea into two separated map edge zones that connect to the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. This results in Aden and Abadan not being directly connected by an off-map movement link.
- Extension of a part of the Northern map edge to include the North West frontier of India. This allows the placement of additional bases such as Quetta and Peshawar.
- Extension of the Western part of Luzon in the Philippines to provide a separate coastal hex for Subic Bay (hex 78, 76). This also results in the Clark Field hex (79, 76) becoming a land hex instead of a coastal hex. Also includes realignment of the Western coastal road between Lingayen (79, 75) and Clark Field.
- Modification of the Western coastline of Malaya creating a coastal hex for Batu Pahat (hex 49, 82). This also allows for the original Batu Pahat base to be renamed to a new base, Kluong (hex 50, 82) which is now in a land hex instead of a coastal hex. Also includes addition of a 'trail' type Western coast road from Malacca (49, 81), to Kluong (50, 82), through Batu Pahat (49, 82).
- Extension of the bottom of Bougainville in the Solomons to move the Shortland Islands into the next hex and provide a separate base for the Shortlands (hex 110, 132). This also allows the original Shortlands base to be renamed Buin.

The extended map files are included in the Focus Pacific install, and no additional setup is required. However, if you would like to play with stacking limits, another feature pioneered by the DBB team, you can replace the Focus Pacific hex files with the extended map stacking hex files, found here.

All credit for the Extended map goes to the DaBigBabes team.

Yamato Damashii - Chemkid's Mad Art
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Included with your install of Focus Pacific is Chemkid's phenomenal Yamato Damashii extended map art. Like the extended map, no additional set-up is required, the map will automatically work with the mod. If you haven't played with this updated art, I think you'll find it is a huge improvement over stock. If you have difficulty identifying the terrain type with the new art, you can use the hotkey "M" to easily check to see the terrain.

New Base Hex - Pondicherri
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Focus Pacific includes a new base hex in India, Pondicherri. In the world of Focus Pacific, the French enclave of Pondicherri has been developed into a modest air and naval base for the Free French.

2. Air Changes

New Japanese Airframes

Mitsubishi G5N2 Liz, G5N3 Liz and G8N1 Rita
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The Mitsubishi G5N3 Liz and it's successor the Rita provide Japan with a long-range strategic bomber. Those that have played BTS are already familiar with this plane, and how it changes the dynamics of the war. The extended reach of this aircraft allows the Japanese player to execute the kind of strategic bombing campaign that in stock only the allies are capable of. Potential uses include basing these aircraft off the coast of Canada and executing a strategic bombing campaign of the US West Coast. It's hard to over-state the reach of these planes - the Rita has an amazing 32 hex extended range, but building 4 engine bombers is an expensive proposition for the Japanese economy.

Ki-64 Rob
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Using counter-rotating propellers to propel it to 429 mph, the Ki-64 Rob is a phenomenal Japanese late-game interceptor. With an impressive service ceiling of 39,000ft, and a solid armament of 4 Ho-5 cannons, the Ki-64 Rob will make the cut for research for most Japanese players. Despite all it's advantages though, the Rob does suffer from a few drawbacks - limited range compared to other Japanese fighters, a service rating of 2, and the fact that unlike most Japanese fighters, it needs two engines to product, significantly increasing the industry cost of each aircraft.

New French Airfames of Note

Focus Pacific includes 43 air-frames for the French Air Army, but most are export versions of stock aircraft. However, the French do bring some unique air capabilities to the game of their own.

Morane-Saulnier M.S.410
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This maneuverable French fighter is an upgrade of the M.S.406 that the French started the war with. Despite a more powerful armament and engine plus a strengthened wing that allowed for greater wing loading, it is still outclassed by the Zero, but holds it's own versus the Oscar. In Focus Pacific, the M.S.410 can upgrade to the M.S.450, which is a marked improvement. This version used a much more powerful engine with a much higher top speed. The M.S.450 also swaps the 7.5mm MAC-M39 MGs of the 410 with 20mm HS404 Cannons.

Dewoitine HD-780
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With the HD-780, the allies have an answer to the Japanese Rufe float fighter. While not nearly as maneuverable, the Dewoitine float fighter is an upgrade option for French ship-based float planes, allowing the allied player to use these float planes as CAP for surface TFs that don't have an aircraft carrier escort.

Breguet Br697
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This French Heavy fighter is probably France's most game-changing addition to the air war in Focus Pacific. The design was based on the Br693 light bomber, but featured much more powerful engines, giving it a top speed that matched the German Bf109. With a combination of good speed and relatively good range, the Breguet 697 gives the allies a solid early game sweeper aircraft. The 697 can upgrade to the Br700 C2, which features even more powerful engines, and the heaviest armament of any fighter in the game. Durable and heavily armed, this is a plane that the Japanese player will learn to hate.

New American Airfames of Note

Boeing F8B "Five in One" Carrier Fighter-Bomber
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This late game carrier aircraft has range, speed and anti-shipping punch. With a 3,000 horsepower engine propelling the aircraft to a top speed of 432mph, the F8B was formidable in the air, but even more formidable vs shipping, as it could carry a bomb load of 6,000(!)lbs. Japanese players shouldn't be too worried, as this aircraft will not make an appearance until the very end of the war.

P-50 and P-65 Skyrocket
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Historically, the P-50 Skyrocket was an aircraft with a lot of potential that was never able to work out it's teething problems before aircraft like the P-38 made it obsolete. In Focus Pacific, the P-50 managed to overcoming it's difficulties in testing, giving the USAAF a much needed high-speed, long range interceptor that along with the Br697 is a game-changer in 1942 for the allies. In Focus Pacific, the P-50 Skyrocket is assigned to 3 fighter groups, one in the Philippines, one on the Hawaiian Islands and one on the West Coast. These fighter groups, made up of well-trained pilots are still working up on December 7th, and as such don't activate until December 8th.

Lend-Lease Airfames of Note

P-40Q Warhawk
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Historically, the P-40Q, which included a range of improvements over previous P-40s never got a chance to shine because by the time it was developed, planes like the P-51 and the P-50D were already rolling off the assembly lines. In Focus Pacific, while the P-40Q Warhawk never sees American service, it is exported via lend-lease to allied countries without their own aircraft program. Expect to see this capable fighter to show up above the DEI and China.

P-63D King Cobra
Expect to see this plane, which is present in stock, to see a lot more use in Focus Pacific.

Air Reinforcement Changes

Changes to Japanese Air Replacements and Starting Airgroups

In addition to normal production, Japan now receives monthly replacements of certain key air-frames. These production numbers are relatively small, but help augment Japanese production.

Japan starts the game with hundreds more aircraft then in stock. Many of these are based out of Truk, also Japan now has a much stronger air presence in Manchuria, on it's border with the Soviet Union. Japanese bases on the Home Islands are also reinforced. These additional Sentais help escort Japanese shipping in the Sea of Japan, protect the Home Islands from Soviet bombers, and also allow Japan to strike Soviet coastal cities.

Additions to the Japanese Air OOB by 1945 are significant. Compared to stock, Japan has 93 more fighter groups, 4 more fighter-bomber groups, 44 more dive bomber groups, 31 more torpedo bomber groups, 39 more LB groups and 21 more patrol groups.

Changes to Allied Air Replacements and Starting Air-Groups

Allied aircraft replacements have been massively overhauled, resulting in much larger aircraft pools for the allied player. In stock, a savvy Japanese player can easily dominate the air game until Corsairs, Hellcats and Thud's show up in 43. Japan can still achieve air superiority, but to do so will have to expand aircraft production far past what they may be used to in stock. For the allied player, the relative abundance of air reinforcements allows them to fight over air-space and territory which would normally be conceded in stock.

Allied players will also have access to Juan's aircraft replacement mod, which gives them the option to buy out replacements of key air-frames with PP.

Across the map, the allies receive additional air-groups that will change the way the war is fought.
-In Burma, the AVG is greatly expanded, with the addition of more air-groups and base forces.
-In the Philippines, Cebu receives a naval air wing, while the rest of the country benefits from the planned P-40 groups that never made it in time historically.
-Around the Pacific, the USMC has additional fighter and dive-bomber assets
-Kwangchowan, home of France's Fort Bayard, has a large concentration of French fighters
-Many more existing air-groups on the US West Coast can now be bought out with PP

3. Land OOB Changes

IJA

The base of Focus Pacific is AndyMac's Ironman scenario, and the Japanese player benefits greatly from the additions. With 40 more infantry divisions, 38 more infantry brigades, 8 more infantry regiments, 18 more battalions, 9 more armor units and 33 more engineer units, the IJA is more powerful than ever. This expansion in power is tempered by the fact that Soviets are active on day one. Much of that expanded OOB will be needed, either to invade Soviet Russia or to hang on to Manchuko if the Soviets themselves decide to invade.

Allies

To offset the Japanese OOB in Focus Pacific, the simplest thing to do is to play the version of the mod, which has active Soviets on Day 1. This activation prevents Japan from moving their Manchuko AV to other theaters without risking invasion from the Soviets. It is possible to play Focus Pacific without active Soviets, but doing so frees up a lot of Japanese AV to be used around the map. The choice of which version to play is up to the players. In general, if a less experienced Japanese player is up against a more experienced Allied player, playing the Active Soviets OFF version would better balance their game. If a less experienced Allied player is up against a more experienced Japanese player, having the Soviets active would better balance their game.

The allies receive some other additions that will make Japan's task more difficult.
-Better prepared and equipped Dutch forces in the DEI
-Several French Colonial Infantry Divisions arrive through the game, as one as a mechanized infantry division
-Higher Chinese infantry squad replacement rates
-78 more base forces than in stock, providing lots of engineering power and aviation support
-12 more infantry divisions
-Active emergency reinforcements on day 1 (see section 6)

4. Naval Changes

Notable Japanese Additions

While Japan gets many additional ships, probably the most significant additions are to its carrier fleet, its battleship fleet, and the inclusion of select German ships.

Japan starts the game with 2 more CVs, 5 more CVLs and 5 more CVEs than in stock. One of these additional CVs starts in the KB, giving Japan even more turn one punch. The number of CVLs and CVEs gives Japan more flexibility with its carriers, giving it the ability to provide carrier support landings in multiple theaters at once.

Japan also begins the game with three additional battleships, which can be used in carrier TFs, to bombard or to create the core of deadly surface TFs. By the end of the game, Japan has a total of 10 more battleships than in stock, many of which outclass their allied counterparts until 1943-1944.

German ships make an appearance in the game, including the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and Battlecruisers Admiral Lutzow and Admiral Scheer. These ships appear in the Indian Ocean or the South East Pacific, and can wreak havoc on an allied player that hasn't escorted their shipping. Perhaps more impactful even than the capital ships are the German U-Boats. Japan receives 11 of them through the game, and they are led by crack German captains. Japanese players should be able to use these boats to devastating effect.

Notable Allied Additions

USN
-Accelerated production of Alaska Class CBs
-Accelerate production of Midway Class CVBs
-BCs Constellation and Ranger present in game
-Begins the game with 4 CLVs. These can undergo a lengthy upgrade to CVLs.

Britain
-Greatly accelerated production of the Audacious class aircraft carriers
-Begins the game with 4 CAVs. These can undergo a lengthy upgrade to CVLs.

France
-Much of the French Navy makes an appearance in Focus Pacific. Details can be found in Appendix B.

Netherlands
-Two Dutch Design 1047 BCs have been added to the game, the King William and the King Frederick.

Canada
-In Focus Pacific, Canada receives many additional escorts that can help the allies in 1942. See appendix C for details.

Commonwealth Nations
-Australia and New Zealand each start with a British build CAV, and in 1943, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, France and the Netherlands all receive a British designed CVL, ostensibly built in Canadian yards with U.S. assistance.

Appendix A: The Focus Pacific Order of Battle

Japanese Capital Ships

Focus Pacific

12/7/41
8 CV
7 CVL
7 CVE
13 BB
6 BC
28 CA
42 CL

1941-1942
4 CV
8 CVL
2 CVE
7 BB
4 BC
1 CB
1 CA
3 CL

1943
4 CV
3CVE
2 BB
1 CB
2 CA
6 CL

1944
7 CV
4 CL

1945
4 CV
1 CVL
4 CVE
1 CL

Focus Pacific Totals
27 CV
16 CVL
16 CVE
22 BB
10 BC
2 CB
31 CA
56 CL

Stock

12/7/1941
6 CV
2 CVL
2 CVE
10 BB
18 CA
24 CL

1941-1942
2 CV
2 CVL
2 CVE
2 BB
2 CL

1943
1 CVE
3 CL

1944
5 CV
1 CL

1945
3 CV
1 CVL
4 CVE

Stock Totals
16 CV
5 CVL
10 CVE
12 BB
18 CA
25 CL

Focus Pacific's increases to the Japanese fleet means that Japan has 80% more naval air-power than in stock,[1] along with a formidable force of Battleships and Cruisers. Like in stock, Japan will have the run of the seas for an extended period of time. Allied fan-boys may see this line-up and fret, but rest assured that the allies are bringing just as many new toys to the table.

It's important to remember that all of these ships need to be fueled, and the Japanese player will need to balance their use of their fleet with the need for the fuel it takes to fill them.

Japan's naval OOB is heavily front-loaded, which means that despite the increased allied OOB, Japan will outmatch the allies by a significant margin in 1943. Overall, like in stock Japan has the run of the seas in 1942.

Allied Capital Ships

Focus Pacific

12/7/41
5 CV [2]
13CVL [3]
15 BB [4]
5 BC
19 CA
39 CL

1941-1942
9 CV
2 CVL
8 CVE
12 BB
15 CA
5 CLAA
11 CL

1943
6 CV
17 CVL
12 CVE
4 BB
1 BC
5 CA
2 CLAA
8 CL

1944
9 CV
3 CVL
47 CVE
11 BB
5 CB
7 CA
6 CLAA
10 CL

1945-46
4 CVB
11 CV
7 CVL
25 CVE
4 BB
1 CB
10 CA
4 CLAA
16 CL

Totals

4 CVB
41 CV
43 CVL
93 CVE
47 BB
6 BC
6 CB
56 CA
84 CL
17 CLAA

Stock

12/7/1941
3 CV
1 CVL
11BB
1 BC
15 CA
28 CL

1941-1942
6 CV
8 CVE
12 BB
10 CA
10 CL
5 CLAA

1943
6 CV
7 CVL
12 CVE
3 BB
1 BC
5 CA
8 CL
2 CLAA

1944
8 CV
3 CVL
47 CVE
9 BB
5 CA
10 CL
5 CLAA

1945
1 CVB
7 CV
8 CVL
25 CVE
3 BB
2 CB
6 CA
17 CL
4 CLAA

Stock Totals
1 CVB
31 CV
19 CVL
90 CVE
39 BB
2 BC
2 CB
42 CA
74 CL

Focus Pacific's increases to the Allied fleet means that the allies have 29% more naval air-power than stock. [1] While they are still badly outclassed in 1942, the addition of allied CAVs and CLVs, along with the French Carriers Bearn, Painleve and Joffre gives the allies much needed flexibility, better air coverage of their surface TFs and the potential for hit and run carrier raids. By upgrading their CAVs and CLVs, the allies can field a carrier force, that while still inferior to Japan's, can threaten a divided KB.

Japan's advantage in surface combatants in Focus Pacific may seem overwhelming, but by the end of 1942, the allies have parity with the IJN.

[1] Using weighted scale of 4 points per CB, 3 points per IJN CV, 2.5 points per Allied CV (due to smaller RN carrier wings), 2 points per CVL and 1 point per CVE.
[2]In addition, the allies start with two French CVs, the Painleve and the Joffre in an unfinished state. These ships take 3-4 months to repair, and are not available for the player as carriers until mid-43, and as such are not included in the 12/7/41 totals.
[3] 11 of these CVLs are actually CAVs or CLVs, which only carry a very light complement of aircraft. They must be taken out of service in 1942 if the player wants to convert them to full CVLs.
[4] In addition, the allies start with two French BBs in an unfinished state. Like the French carriers, they are not usable until mid 1942, and as such are reflected in that total instead of the 12/7/41 total.

Japanese Non capital ships

Focus Pacific
317 DD
27 TB
232 E
160 PB
169 SC
114 ML
245 SS
37 SST
89 SSX
38 AMC
24 CM
36 DMS

Stock
237 DD
13 TB
205 E
117 PB
169 SC
98 ML
184 SS
37 SST
89 SSX
12 AMC
28 CM
23 DMS

Allied Non-Capital Ships

Focus Pacific
629 DD
266 DE
23 PG
77 PF
34 KV
12 PC
124 SC
32 ML
414 SS
18 AMC
16 CM
19 DM
27 DMS

Stock
541 DD
264 DE
15 PG
73 PF
32 KV
12 PC
124 SC
32 ML
396 SS
12 AMC
16 CM
19 DM
27 DMS

Appendix B: The Focus Pacific Free French Navy

For reasons detailed in the post below, Focus Pacific features the bulk of the French Navy operating in the Pacific Theater.

Carriers
On December 7th 1941, France operates one carrier, the CVL Bearn, which carries it's historical complement of SBC4 Helldivers and Buffalos that it picked up from the East Coast before France's surrender. France also starts the game with two unfinished carriers, the Joffre and the Painleve. These two fast carriers only support a relatively small complement of aircraft, but are fast enough to be labeled CVs. These unfinished carriers begin the game at Tahiti, and much sail to Pearl or the West Coast to receive the necessary upgrades to make them fully operational. For the Joffre this is about 30 days, but for the Painleve, which was not as far along in it's construction, it's a full four months before it will be ready for service.

Later in the war, France receives the Colossus Class CVL Arromanches as lend-lease from Britain, and in 1944 receives the Casablanca class CVEs Le Charme and Libre.

Battleships and Battlecruisers
France starts the game with some powerful capital ships, though the allied player will have to wait patiently to bring them all to bear. Two of them - the Gascoigne and Clemencau, are, like the Joffre-class fleet carriers, incomplete at game start, and will have to make their way to a large friendly port that can finish outfitting them, a process that will take 3-5 months. These ships were envisioned as the next development of the Richelieu class, and featured a more traditional mounting of their primary armament compared to the Richelieu's all-forward design.

The Dunkerke and the Strasbourg Battlecruisers, however, are ready for action on day one. With good speed, powerful armament and fantastic range, these may find their way into allied surface TFs or Air Combat TFs.

Also in the game is the old, WWI era battlewagon the Lorraine. Slow and outdated, it makes a good escort for CVE groups or for shore bombardment.

Cruisers
12/7/1941
CA Duquesne
CA Tourville
CL Gloire
CL George Leygues
CL Montcalm
CL Dougay-Trouin
CL Lamonte-Piquet
CL Jean de Vienne

1942 Reinforcements
CA Foch
CA Suffren
CA Dupleix
CA Algerie
CA Colbert
CL Marseille

Destroyers
France starts with 22 destroyers, many of them quite capable. Of special interest are the Morgardor class destroyer-leaders, which feature an incredible top speed and powerful armament.

Appendix C: Additional Canadian Surface Forces

Cruisers
CL Birmingham
CL Lowestoft

Destroyers
14x Admiralty S Class
1x Admiralty Leader Scott Class
1x Admiralty Leader V Class
6x Wickes Class
3x Clemson Class

Submarines
7x S class Electric Boat
paradigmblue
Posts: 784
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 10:44 pm
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by paradigmblue »

Reserved for the Alternate History of Focus Pacific
paradigmblue
Posts: 784
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 10:44 pm
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by paradigmblue »

8/19/15

Patch 1.01.2
Available Here

Features
Training squadrons for Japanese Army and Navy on the Home Islands

Balance Changes
Increased aircraft replacement pools for certain Japanese air-frames. Low replacement pools of 10 a month or below were not significant for the Japanese player, and very low replacement pools tend to be unreliable for actually producing the allotted air-frames per month.

Increased Soviet replacement pools of certain air-frames.

Toyohara now has a sizable force of fighters to protect it from Soviet bombing from the mainland.

Bug Fixes
Fixed the spelling of the Ottawa
Changed CVL Perth to CVL Victoria as not to conflict with CL Perth
Re-named duplicate VMF Squadron 1011 to 1012
The CVL Warrior is now a Canadian ship, not a British ship

Known Issues
Pack Ice prevents navigation of the Bering Sea to the Arctic Ocean to Prudhoe Bay.

7/26/15

Patch 1.01.1
Available Here

Bug Fixes
6th Indian Division now starts at Abadan, as intended, and not in off-map limbo

Balance Changes
Reworked the Mk14 torpedo changes.
*Changed the Mk 14 A to a 50% dud rate from a 25% dud rate
*Added a radar upgrade to the USN boats that could convert to the Mk14 A version.
*Revised the conversion delay downwards to 14 days instead of 45
*Missing some Indian bases in the Northwest corner of the map
Here's how USN sub torpedo accuracy now works:
12/41 - All USN boats that use the Mk 14 torpedo have an 80% dud rate
1/42 - All USN boats that use the Mk 14 torpedo have the option to convert to a version that uses the "Mk 14A", representing a Mk 14 with some of its hiccups worked out. The Mk 14 A has a dud rate of 50% instead of 80%
4/42 - All converted Mk 14A boats have the option to upgrade to a version with radar.
1/43 - All Mk 14A boats benefit from the global 20% dud rate decrease, lowering the dud rate from 50% to 30%. Unconverted boats that use the stock Mk14 have their dud rate decreased from 80% to 60% as normal.
10/43 - Mk14 Torpedoes have their dud rate lowered to 10%. By this time, the converted Mk14A boats have the option to upgrade back to the stock Mk14 torpedo.

Known Issues
Toyohara is missing its Sentai of Zeroes.
Ottawa misspelled as "Ottowa"
CVL Perth has the same name as CL Perth, Changing name to CVL Victoria
Pack Ice prevents access to Barrow and Prudhoe Bay
VMF-1011 in game twice, both at Cebu and Guam. The Guam unit should be VMF-1012.
sanderz
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by sanderz »

deleted
chemkid
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by chemkid »

.
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CaptBeefheart
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by CaptBeefheart »

Hi Paradigm: Great work on this mod in general and the Page One posts in particular. One slight suggestion: Perhaps each time you make an edit you could include a quick description of what you added or changed at the bottom of the post. That would make it easier to keep up with the changes.

Cheers,
CC
Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.
paradigmblue
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by paradigmblue »

Hi Cody,

In the post that now has "known issues", I will also include a changelog for each patch.
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CaptBeefheart
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by CaptBeefheart »

Ah, I see I wasn't too clear. What I meant to refer to was additions to your first two posts. For example, at the bottom of post #2 you might have something like "7/24/15 EDIT: Added picture and description of TB2D Skypirate."

Cheers,
CC
Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.
paradigmblue
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by paradigmblue »

Bump for patch 1.01.1, available above.
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HansBolter
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by HansBolter »

Hey guys I installed with the new executable and the first patch executable.

Started a new game and there are still no fighters in Toyahara.

Hope I didn't do something wrong with the install as I have already invested 40+ hours in getting to December 29th.

Also have some map questions. I tried to ship a garrison to Prudhoe Bay only to be rebuked by the map.

Although chemkid's map does not depict the ice pack it is still there preventing naval movement north of the Bearing straits.

Hitting the '1' key to bring up the map terrain codes shows FS in all hexes north of the straits. I presume this means Frozen Sea.

Obviously I was trying this in December. Does the frozen sea melt sufficiently in summer to allow sea navigation?

If so this means oil can only be extracted from Prudhoe Bay during a limited window.

If not, then the addition of Prudhoe Bay with out a pipeline to the south to deliver the oil to a navigable port makes it pretty much superfluous.

Bill may have been correct in his criticism of adding an oil source that was unknown at the time.

Do we get our oil from PB via tankers now or is the Arctic Ocean so unnavigable that we had to build a pipeline to the south?
Hans

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ny59giants
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by ny59giants »

Allied Assault Shipping - I haven't looked at mod yet, but I tend to hoard my APs that convert to APAs in 3/43. Identify these ships and maybe some of the AKs that convert to AKAs. Have them able to convert in 10/42 vs 3/43 so once the big 10/42 upgrades of American warships is done, they now have a strong assault ship force to conduct invasions a few months earlier.
[center]Image[/center]
paradigmblue
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by paradigmblue »

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Hey guys I installed with the new executable and the first patch executable.

Started a new game and there are still no fighters in Toyahara.

Hope I didn't do something wrong with the install as I have already invested 40+ hours in getting to December 29th.

Also have some map questions. I tried to ship a garrison to Prudhoe Bay only to be rebuked by the map.

Although chemkid's map does not depict the ice pack it is still there preventing naval movement north of the Bearing straits.

Hitting the '1' key to bring up the map terrain codes shows FS in all hexes north of the straits. I presume this means Frozen Sea.

Obviously I was trying this in December. Does the frozen sea melt sufficiently in summer to allow sea navigation?

If so this means oil can only be extracted from Prudhoe Bay during a limited window.

If not, then the addition of Prudhoe Bay with out a pipeline to the south to deliver the oil to a navigable port makes it pretty much superfluous.

Bill may have been correct in his criticism of adding an oil source that was unknown at the time.

Do we get our oil from PB via tankers now or is the Arctic Ocean so unnavigable that we had to build a pipeline to the south?


Damn, besides PWHEX editing (which I don't know how to do), Prudhoe may be out of reach.

I accidentally had a later start date for Toyohara's fighters (not until April). I've changed this locally, and will upload a new patch with the fix.

The Alaska Pipeline moves the oil south to the port of Valdez in the real world.
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HansBolter
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by HansBolter »

I thought perhaps we didn't ship oil out of PB by tanker.

And I thought the infamous Exxon Valdez was named for the Bay where the pipeline delivers the oil for tanker pick up.

PB seemed like an interesting addition, but editing the map to allow navigation through what is supposed to be an ice pack to facilitate use of the port may be a bit over the top.

Perhaps the potential fuel sources that can be had from Russian territory will serve as an adequate alternative to the DEI?

The DEI is shaping up to look like a very tough nut for the Japanese to crack, especially if an aggressive Allied player reinforces it or shifts forces there from Malaya and or Phillipines.

The concentration of the Malayan, Phillippine and Ducth air forces could be very tough for the Japanese to wade through even if the majority are undertrained.

I'm currently building a southern Sumatra redoubt by transferring all of III Indian Corps there.

Have over 1k AV in Palembang behind level 3.58 forts on 12/29/41.
Hans

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Lowpe
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by Lowpe »

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

I thought perhaps we didn't ship oil out of PB by tanker.

And I thought the infamous Exxon Valdez was named for the Bay where the pipeline delivers the oil for tanker pick up.

PB seemed like an interesting addition, but editing the map to allow navigation through what is supposed to be an ice pack to facilitate use of the port may be a bit over the top.

Perhaps the potential fuel sources that can be had from Russian territory will serve as an adequate alternative to the DEI?

The DEI is shaping up to look like a very tough nut for the Japanese to crack, especially if an aggressive Allied player reinforces it or shifts forces there from Malaya and or Phillipines.

The concentration of the Malayan, Phillippine and Ducth air forces could be very tough for the Japanese to wade through even if the majority are undertrained.

I'm currently building a southern Sumatra redoubt by transferring all of III Indian Corps there.

Have over 1k AV in Palembang behind level 3.58 forts on 12/29/41.


When I played, I made it a priority to take Palembang very, very early.

But you are quite correct, the additional Soviet problem really forces Japan to keep quite a bit a home protecting industry/attacking Soviets. Thankfully there are a lot of AA boosts on Honshu which would make a strategic bombing campaign by Russia a little rough I think (at least early on with poor pilots).

Too bad about Alaska Oil -- a neat idea before its time![:)]

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moonraker65
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by moonraker65 »

After installing I noticed on first turn (Scen 72) that a lot of the allied aircraft are still using stock plane tops. Is this intentional or maybe my install isn't quite right? Everything else is ok apart from a few missing bases at the top of India
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paradigmblue
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by paradigmblue »

ORIGINAL: moonraker

After installing I noticed on first turn (Scen 72) that a lot of the allied aircraft are still using stock plane tops. Is this intentional or maybe my install isn't quite right? Everything else is ok apart from a few missing bases at the top of India

Hi moonraker, thanks for the feedback!

Could you clarify the plane art issue? Are the plane tops not matching the planes they are supposed to represent, or are their newer versions of the plane tops that are available?

Also, what Indian bases are missing?

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moonraker65
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by moonraker65 »

All allied planes except French aircraft are showing as default plane top art not the Cathartes ones. The Indian bases are Quetta, and about 4 others right at the top of the map
intel i9 13900k 128 GB RAM, RTX 4070 ti GFx card
paradigmblue
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by paradigmblue »

ORIGINAL: moonraker

All allied planes except French aircraft are showing as default plane top art not the Cathartes ones. The Indian bases are Quetta, and about 4 others right at the top of the map

I'm not familiar with Cathartes top art, is there a website that has those tops? Are they better than stock?
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moonraker65
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RE: Focus Pacific Beta

Post by moonraker65 »

The Japanese planes all have the Cathartes plane tops. Yes they are the best in my humble opinion. Just seemed odd that the Japanese planes have them but the Allied planes don't.

Indian bases that don't have a base icon are - Quetta, Fort Sandeman, Peshawar and a couple of others
intel i9 13900k 128 GB RAM, RTX 4070 ti GFx card
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