Need help making a scenario actually challenging

[Eboreg]

So I'm creating a scenario in 2028 with the background that a RIMPAC exercise is testing Japan's new carrier forces in their abilities to handle both land and naval targets simultaneously. The idea being that a four-ship force consisting of an Izumo-class, an Atago-class, and 2 Akizuki-classes is tasked with taking out an island base that is definitely not a PRC outpost in the South China Sea with a vague warning that enemy carriers are operating in the area. Most of the OPFOR assets are previous-generation American with the exception of a sole DF-21D on the island and there is, in fact, an American CVN with a gimped airwing to better fit Chinese capabilities and an escort of a Ticonderoga-class and two Arleigh Burke-classes waiting to co-ordinate with the island assets to launch a full-blown counterattack on your carrier the moment you get spotted. Problem being that this isn't the 1940s and Japanese AA is disgustingly OP. I've messed around with OPFOR assets on several run-throughs and repeatedly tried to take out the Japanese CV but all my missiles just end up getting "lol-nope"d by Japanese SAMs. Even the DF-21D isn't doing any good especially since it only has 4 missiles in the magazines and those things make tasty, tasty targets for SM-3s. Can anyone help with a way to make this more challenging for the player while still keeping some semblance of realism?

[Coiler12]

ORIGINAL: Eboreg
Can anyone help with a way to make this more challenging for the player while still keeping some semblance of realism?

Well as I see it, if it's an exercise scenario, you shouldn't have to worry about realism. If it's a 1990s exercise scenario, you don't have to worry about a few realistically flyable Russian Backfires, you can just send regiment after regiment of Krasnovian aircraft at them.

So I'd say at least beef up the carrier airwing and maybe add some land-based Harpoon Mod B-52s to simulate H-6s and throw megavolleys of missiles to overwhelm your AA by pure numbers. And just don't be afraid to make the OPFOR "unrealistically" strong.

[Gunner98]

The best way to attack a TG with heavy AD is with a Submarine.

The best way to attack a TG with heavy ASW is with an airstrike.

If your trying to make it challenging you need to avoid the strengths of the player side - or give the player multiple problems to deal with, competing problems that force a decision.

B

[Joelsi]

Start with overkill on the OPFOR side and then tone it down to where the difficulty is sufficient.


-Joelsi

[Eboreg]

ORIGINAL: Coiler12

So I'd say at least beef up the carrier airwing and maybe add some land-based Harpoon Mod B-52s to simulate H-6s and throw megavolleys of missiles to overwhelm your AA by pure numbers.

This actually did the trick.