How is the sub war?

[ncc1701e]

I see convoys in some screenshots:
. Do they have fixed routes?
. Can we control them i.e. avoid a location if a sub was spotted?
. Can we setup the escorts?
. Is there a distinction between merchant ships like tanker ships for oil transportation?
. On the axis side, is it possible to spread out subs for detection of convoys and form a Wolfpack for attack?

Thanks

[AlvaroSousa]

There are convoy areas. For example the East Coast, North Atlantic, Iron Ore Route, Murmank Convoy, South Atlantic, etc, etc......

A player may put escort points in a convoy area. The maximum effectiveness for escorts is 10. You can put more but it won't make a difference unless the convoy gets attacked in multiple spots and some are sunk.
A player may put submarines in these convoy lanes as a fleet. Subs can only be attacked by air in open seas and surrounded by open seas.

If a sub fleet is in a convoy lane and have operation points left over at the end of the turn they attack the convoy production coming across. The escorts defend and kill the subs.

Surface raiders may also attack convoys. They must be intercepted by other fleets, escorts will scatter and have no effect on surface raiders.

There is a distinction between oil sunk and production sunk. But for the Allies it's pretty inconsequential as they have no oil problems.

So the choices are...
as the attacker to stack subs or hit many convoy lanes
as the defender here to place escorts in which zones if they are short.
Submarine and escort advancements improved both types of units.

It is all automated one positional decisions are made.

[Michael T]

There is a distinction between oil sunk and production sunk. But for the Allies it's pretty inconsequential as they have no oil problems.

That's interesting because in GMT's AWAW (the successor to A3R) oil can be a problem for the Allies in Western Europe. The allies have pretty much unlimited oil production in the US and Middle East but getting the oil across the Atlantic to Britain and the continent is the issue if the U-boats are on top in the sub war.

[ncc1701e]

ORIGINAL: Michael T

That's interesting because in GMT's AWAW (the successor to A3R) oil can be a problem for the Allies in Western Europe. The allies have pretty much unlimited oil production in the US and Middle East but getting the oil across the Atlantic to Britain and the continent is the issue if the U-boats are on top in the sub war.

Makes sense

[AlvaroSousa]

That is a tough one to implement without over complication. As is the current supply system puts pressure on the Allies and the Germans can do something about that within the game.

[Michael T]

Well I understand Warplan does not equal, or even attempt to equal a game like AWAW (no other game is as complex bar ASL). But some kind of limit on how many units the Western Allies can maintain as mech/motorized/armoured in Europe/Middle East would be great if possible.

While on the subject is USSR penalized in some way if they lose the Caucasus oil?

[AlvaroSousa]

They lose the oil which is a lot.

If you think of a simple idea for oil issues that goes beyond just losing your stockpile please share.

I could introduce an oil capacity which means how much can they store based on production. That might be an idea. It is a simple cap on how much you can hold.

That would make the Allies still have no issues with oil but still have an impact if the oil is attacked or taken as they can't store infinite amounts. I like that idea.

Thanks for bringing this up.

[Michael T]

I would really need to know how the game works to offer any ideas on that aspect. I don't know how your supply system works really.

But I am pleased you have acknowledged this aspect and are at least thinking about it.

Thanks

[AlvaroSousa]

I decided a cap on oil stockpiles is best based on production factors. This will make Caucuses area important. It also could impact the Western Allies, specifically England. I did a little reading and the important factors are refining and storage.

Supply system is simple. Ports generate supply points.
Units use those points. Units that use oil use more supply
If you are more than 15 hexes from a port the supply cost is double.

If there is not enough supply to support your troops they get basic supply which basically means just food and water but no effectiveness recovery unless you use supply trucks. That isn't a lot.

Ports can be interdicted/protected by land and air within range of the port. This happens automatically. So Malta actually affects Axis supply in Africa.

[Michael T]

On the face of it 15 hexes seems to far a distance before an increase is applied. 5 would seem more like it.

[Michael T]

I think I read somewhere that trucks use more fuel than what they can deliver beyond a range of 300 miles. That would be about 10 hexes in Warplan I think. So I would think extra supply costs should kick in prior to 10 hexes.

[AlvaroSousa]

WarPlan is 25m-50m per hex. Mostly 25m. So I rounded up for balance.