As a very experienced IJN player, I thought I would pass on my tips on getting the best out of the Jap navy.
1) Aircraft carriers
By far your most valuable assets, get as much use out of them as you can in 42 because by the middle of 43 they will probably be easy VPs for an experienced Allied player.
I tend to group them in groups of 2 CV plus a CVL per TF, usually matching pairs, Shokaku/Zuikaku/Shoho, Akagi/Kaga/Ryujo, Soryu/Hiryu/Zuiho, Junyo/Hiyo/Ryuho. I also throw in a Kongo class BB to divert a few of the attacking a/c, a CS within the slower speed CV TFs and then add DDs. I find about 10-12 ships per TF is ideal. Set the slowest speed TF with its destination and have the others follow. Thus you get maximum CAP protection for all your fleets whilst avoiding the airstrike co-ordination penalty. When the smaller CVEs arrive in late 42 I usually put a Zero sqd aboard them to boost CAP.
Do not bother putting any CA or CL in a CV TF as they offer little in AA value compared to US cruisers. They are much more useful in surface combat fleets. The exception is the CL Oyodo which arrives in early 43, it has good AA but no torpedoes so is not much use in a surface fight.
When it comes to the actual CV battle itself, a lot is down to chance, but you can increase the odds in your favour:
Firstly you must spot the enemy carriers. Asign all your CS based floatplanes to naval search (Chitose and Chiyoda's complement should be more than enough). NEVER put any Kates on naval search, these are your main ship killers and you want every single one sent out to attack. Only use Vals on search if you are low on floatplanes.
Try to run a low % CAP until the day you expect action. A badly fatigued CAP performs much worse than a fresh one. As to overall CAP level for the day of action, it depends on how many fighters you have and what you expect the enemy to put up against you. Bear in mind however that you want as many of your precious high exp strike pilots to get through the US CAP to attack, as many will not get a second chance, so they get a strong escort from me. Personally I usually run about 30-40% CAP....in the end no matter how many fighters you have over your carriers, some SBDs and TBFs are going to get through......
Early in the game you get 2 Rufe FF sqds. Put these aboard the CS Nisshin. It gives an extra 18 a/c on CAP, they are not as good as Zeros but every little helps!
Try and fight within range of a friendly airfield. Your airgroups are just as precious as their carrier..... if one is sunk the survivors of its air group can be disbanded into other groups to make up for losses elsewhere, keeping the overall exp of the group high.
How to get the best out of your IJN ships
How to get the best out of your IJN ships
Last edited by Miller on Fri Aug 25, 2023 3:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
2) Battleships
The IJN has 12 to play with. 2 Yamatos, 2 Nagatos, 4 Fusos and 4 Kongos. I will go over their strengths and weaknesses.
Yamato/Musashi - Usually perform well in surface combats and are immune to bombs. However, torpedoes are fatal. I have had one sink after taking only two torpedo hits! Therefore, try to keep them out of range of bases that hold Avenger or Beaufort sqds.
Nagato/Mutsu - Again, these usually do well in surface combat but they are not bomb proof against 1000lb bombs.....most bounce but some will penetrate! Too slow for bombardment groups unless you are sure there is little threat from the air when retreating the next day.
Fuso/Yamashiro/Ise/Hyuga - Basically the same as the Nagatos but with 14" guns instead of 16".
Kongo/Haruna/Hiei/Kirishima - Speedy and very useful early in the game for bombardment runs. However, I try to avoid putting them in SC TFs and prefer to have one in each CV TF. The reason being they tend to do poorly against US BBs....a few 16" gun hits can cripple them. They are also vulnerable to 8" rounds at close range. In CV TFs they attract some of the ordanace away from your precious flight decks and occasionally a 1000lb bomb will bounce off them.
As to general BB tactics, I tend to operate them in pairs with the same size armament (16" in one TF, 14" in another etc). I may use 4 or even 6 together in one TF on a bombardment run, but only if I am not expecting serious opposition.
The IJN has 12 to play with. 2 Yamatos, 2 Nagatos, 4 Fusos and 4 Kongos. I will go over their strengths and weaknesses.
Yamato/Musashi - Usually perform well in surface combats and are immune to bombs. However, torpedoes are fatal. I have had one sink after taking only two torpedo hits! Therefore, try to keep them out of range of bases that hold Avenger or Beaufort sqds.
Nagato/Mutsu - Again, these usually do well in surface combat but they are not bomb proof against 1000lb bombs.....most bounce but some will penetrate! Too slow for bombardment groups unless you are sure there is little threat from the air when retreating the next day.
Fuso/Yamashiro/Ise/Hyuga - Basically the same as the Nagatos but with 14" guns instead of 16".
Kongo/Haruna/Hiei/Kirishima - Speedy and very useful early in the game for bombardment runs. However, I try to avoid putting them in SC TFs and prefer to have one in each CV TF. The reason being they tend to do poorly against US BBs....a few 16" gun hits can cripple them. They are also vulnerable to 8" rounds at close range. In CV TFs they attract some of the ordanace away from your precious flight decks and occasionally a 1000lb bomb will bounce off them.
As to general BB tactics, I tend to operate them in pairs with the same size armament (16" in one TF, 14" in another etc). I may use 4 or even 6 together in one TF on a bombardment run, but only if I am not expecting serious opposition.
Last edited by Miller on Fri Aug 25, 2023 5:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
3) Heavy Cruisers
IJN CAs are easily the best all round surface combat ships in UV. They have high exp crews and of course, the long lance torpedo. Early in the game they will outmatch any equivalent allied cruiser. There are five classes:
Tone class (2) - A lot of IJN players use these as scout cruisers within a CV TF because they hold 5 floatplanes. Don't bother, they are more useful in surface combat TFs.
Mogami class (4) - Good all round and the fastest of all the CA classes.
Chokai class (4) - The best of the lot. They carry the most torpedo tubes and heaviest armour.
Nachi class (4) - Basically the same as the Chokai class but with weaker armour.
Furutaka class (4) - The oldest so obviously the weakest. Less guns and TT and can take less damage. Still more than a match for early US CA's though.
A little more on the differences in armour. None of them can withstand a 1000lb bomb hit. However, all but the Furutaka class can defeat a 500lb bomb, depending on where it hits the ship.
Surface combat is more complicated. In general all are vulnerable to 8" hits. 6" hits will bounce off the Tone, Mogami and Chokai classes unless it is point blank range (2000yds). The US CLs with 6" guns are deadly later in the game, so you don't want your older CA's taking them on!
4) Light Cruisers
The IJN CLs have one thing going for them - the long lance torpedo. Their 5.5" guns are useless against anything bigger than a DD, although their armour will usually defeat any allied DD return fire. They are no use in CV TFs as they have no AA value (other than the modern Oyodo). The Agano class have 6" guns but they do not arrive till later in the game. The old Tenyru and Tatsuta with 21" torps are best used as fast transport TF leaders.
Surface task force composition:
I usually find anywhere between 8 and 12 ships is the best number for a SC TF. I usually go 2 CA, 2 CL and 4 DD to 2 BB, 2 CA, 2 CL and 6 DD, depending on ship availability etc. Needless to say you want your most aggressive admirals in charge to make sure all those juicy torpedes are used!
IJN CAs are easily the best all round surface combat ships in UV. They have high exp crews and of course, the long lance torpedo. Early in the game they will outmatch any equivalent allied cruiser. There are five classes:
Tone class (2) - A lot of IJN players use these as scout cruisers within a CV TF because they hold 5 floatplanes. Don't bother, they are more useful in surface combat TFs.
Mogami class (4) - Good all round and the fastest of all the CA classes.
Chokai class (4) - The best of the lot. They carry the most torpedo tubes and heaviest armour.
Nachi class (4) - Basically the same as the Chokai class but with weaker armour.
Furutaka class (4) - The oldest so obviously the weakest. Less guns and TT and can take less damage. Still more than a match for early US CA's though.
A little more on the differences in armour. None of them can withstand a 1000lb bomb hit. However, all but the Furutaka class can defeat a 500lb bomb, depending on where it hits the ship.
Surface combat is more complicated. In general all are vulnerable to 8" hits. 6" hits will bounce off the Tone, Mogami and Chokai classes unless it is point blank range (2000yds). The US CLs with 6" guns are deadly later in the game, so you don't want your older CA's taking them on!
4) Light Cruisers
The IJN CLs have one thing going for them - the long lance torpedo. Their 5.5" guns are useless against anything bigger than a DD, although their armour will usually defeat any allied DD return fire. They are no use in CV TFs as they have no AA value (other than the modern Oyodo). The Agano class have 6" guns but they do not arrive till later in the game. The old Tenyru and Tatsuta with 21" torps are best used as fast transport TF leaders.
Surface task force composition:
I usually find anywhere between 8 and 12 ships is the best number for a SC TF. I usually go 2 CA, 2 CL and 4 DD to 2 BB, 2 CA, 2 CL and 6 DD, depending on ship availability etc. Needless to say you want your most aggressive admirals in charge to make sure all those juicy torpedes are used!
Last edited by Miller on Fri Aug 25, 2023 5:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
5) Destroyers
I list below the classes and best uses:
Akitsuki - Good AA. They arrive later in the game and I use them to cover what is left of my carrier fleet.
Shimikaze - One off super destroyer with 15 torpedo tubes. Goes into a surface combat TF of course!
Yugumo - Very tough and has radar but weak AA - surface combat.
Kagero - As the Yugumo class but without the radar - surface combat.
Shiratsyu - Best AA of all the DD's - carrier escort.
Hatsuharu - As the Shiratsyu - carrier escort.
Akatsuki - Good all round DD - surface combat.
Fubuki - As the Akatsuki but with weaker depth charges - surface combat.
Mutsuki - Old but still has the LL torpedo and good AA - surface and/or escort.
Kamikaze - Has weaker torpoedes but good AA - carrier escort or fast transport.
Minekaze - Oldest of the lot. Shortest range as well so I usually use these only in the fast transport role.
6) Other ships
The IJN gets about 10 or so APDs, which I normally use in FT fleets early in the game. Most of them have a good ASW rating so are usefull in a sub hunting role also.
The Japs are light on MSWs, although you wont have much need for them unless you are landing troops at a very southern Allied base.
PGs and PCs - Again you don't get many but they are useful convoy escorts and free up your DDs for fleet work. Not much use as ASW vessels.
AVs - You get 4 of these, two hold 12 float planes each and the other two 8 each. These can be very useful for finishing off damaged transports behind enemy lines, as well as for scouting ahead of your main CV fleets. They will die however if they run into enemy CVs.....
AOs and TKs - These are very precious - try not to lose them early as you dont get many. Normal transports can carry fuel but at only half the rate of these babies.
Transports - 3000 cap ones shuttle between Truk and Rabual/Shortlands only. 2000 cap ones are my main troop carrying ships. 1000 cap ones I send to the front line bases with supplies in small TFs. Barges are an excellent way of keeping the front lines supplied as well.
Subs - Jap subs are good at finishing off damaged warships, but they die like flies later in the game. I-121 through to I-124 are minelaying subs and should be used as such.
I list below the classes and best uses:
Akitsuki - Good AA. They arrive later in the game and I use them to cover what is left of my carrier fleet.
Shimikaze - One off super destroyer with 15 torpedo tubes. Goes into a surface combat TF of course!
Yugumo - Very tough and has radar but weak AA - surface combat.
Kagero - As the Yugumo class but without the radar - surface combat.
Shiratsyu - Best AA of all the DD's - carrier escort.
Hatsuharu - As the Shiratsyu - carrier escort.
Akatsuki - Good all round DD - surface combat.
Fubuki - As the Akatsuki but with weaker depth charges - surface combat.
Mutsuki - Old but still has the LL torpedo and good AA - surface and/or escort.
Kamikaze - Has weaker torpoedes but good AA - carrier escort or fast transport.
Minekaze - Oldest of the lot. Shortest range as well so I usually use these only in the fast transport role.
6) Other ships
The IJN gets about 10 or so APDs, which I normally use in FT fleets early in the game. Most of them have a good ASW rating so are usefull in a sub hunting role also.
The Japs are light on MSWs, although you wont have much need for them unless you are landing troops at a very southern Allied base.
PGs and PCs - Again you don't get many but they are useful convoy escorts and free up your DDs for fleet work. Not much use as ASW vessels.
AVs - You get 4 of these, two hold 12 float planes each and the other two 8 each. These can be very useful for finishing off damaged transports behind enemy lines, as well as for scouting ahead of your main CV fleets. They will die however if they run into enemy CVs.....
AOs and TKs - These are very precious - try not to lose them early as you dont get many. Normal transports can carry fuel but at only half the rate of these babies.
Transports - 3000 cap ones shuttle between Truk and Rabual/Shortlands only. 2000 cap ones are my main troop carrying ships. 1000 cap ones I send to the front line bases with supplies in small TFs. Barges are an excellent way of keeping the front lines supplied as well.
Subs - Jap subs are good at finishing off damaged warships, but they die like flies later in the game. I-121 through to I-124 are minelaying subs and should be used as such.
Last edited by Miller on Sun Oct 15, 2023 12:29 am, edited 3 times in total.
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
My advice is to print these posts and use them as your UV IJN bible as Paul knows what he's talking about.
Todd
I never thought that doing an AAR would be so time consuming and difficult.
www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2080768
I never thought that doing an AAR would be so time consuming and difficult.
www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2080768
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
fantastic guide, miller.a lot of things inside, which noobs like me did and do wrong like putting the CA in CV-TF.
now all i need are some PBEM-oppenents to put the theory into praxis.
now all i need are some PBEM-oppenents to put the theory into praxis.
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
ORIGINAL: bigbaba
fantastic guide, miller.a lot of things inside, which noobs like me did and do wrong like putting the CA in CV-TF.
now all i need are some PBEM-oppenents to put the theory into praxis.
Glad to be of help.
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
ORIGINAL: Miller
... Early in the game you get 2 Rufe FF sqds. Put these aboard the CS Nisshin. It gives an extra 18 a/c on CAP, they are not as good as Zeros but every little helps!
Would you set them at 6,000 to counter torpedo planes, or 11,000 vs. the Cats?
Stratford, Connecticut, U.S.A.[center]
[/center]
[center]"The Angel of Okinawa"[/center]
Home of the Chance-Vought Corsair, F4U
The best fighter-bomber of World War II
[/center][center]"The Angel of Okinawa"[/center]
Home of the Chance-Vought Corsair, F4U
The best fighter-bomber of World War II
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
ORIGINAL: bigbaba
... now all i need are some PBEM-oppenents to put the theory into praxis.
As you lost your last (tempermental) opponent? I'm only playing one PBEM game now and could fit in another; I usually play historical scenarios, which is beneficial for the inexperienced Allied player as the Midway KB is kaput.
Stratford, Connecticut, U.S.A.[center][/center]
[center]"The Angel of Okinawa"[/center]
Home of the Chance-Vought Corsair, F4U
The best fighter-bomber of World War II
[/center][center]"The Angel of Okinawa"[/center]
Home of the Chance-Vought Corsair, F4U
The best fighter-bomber of World War II
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
i think the kates/avengers seem to be the real ship killers. in my opinion, vals are not effective like kates against warships but they do well against unarmed targets (AP and so).
i would try everything to keep as much kates/avengers as i can away from my flattops.
ah joe..you have post.
i would try everything to keep as much kates/avengers as i can away from my flattops.
ah joe..you have post.
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
ORIGINAL: Joe D.
ORIGINAL: Miller
... Early in the game you get 2 Rufe FF sqds. Put these aboard the CS Nisshin. It gives an extra 18 a/c on CAP, they are not as good as Zeros but every little helps!
Would you set them at 6,000 to counter torpedo planes, or 11,000 vs. the Cats?
I may be wrong but I believe altitude settings for fighters make little difference. Obviously I would not put them at 1000ft, I usually vary the CAP between 10-15k. As US SBDs are the main threat and Rufes are inferior to Zeros in climb I would set them at DB altitude (usually 15000ft).
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
A couple of notes. If as an allied player I noticed that you were putting LB, carrier capable, A6Ms on your CV/CVL/CVEs, then I would put USMC Corsairs on mine to counter.
Altitude does matter and I like to have CAP at various altitudes. I tend to them at 8000, 12000, and 20000.
Altitude does matter and I like to have CAP at various altitudes. I tend to them at 8000, 12000, and 20000.
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
ORIGINAL: Nomad
A couple of notes. If as an allied player I noticed that you were putting LB, carrier capable, A6Ms on your CV/CVL/CVEs, then I would put USMC Corsairs on mine to counter.
Altitude does matter and I like to have CAP at various altitudes. I tend to them at 8000, 12000, and 20000.
I only advocate putting land based Zeros on CVEs, simply because they do not come with a generic airgroup. Of course if you have an airgroup from a damaged or sunk carrier then by all means put them on board ahead of a land based unit.
I will take your word on the altitude settings, they dont really bother me that much.
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
Anyone for tips for the Allied ships, or is it not really that necessary?
Stratford, Connecticut, U.S.A.[center][/center]
[center]"The Angel of Okinawa"[/center]
Home of the Chance-Vought Corsair, F4U
The best fighter-bomber of World War II
[/center][center]"The Angel of Okinawa"[/center]
Home of the Chance-Vought Corsair, F4U
The best fighter-bomber of World War II
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
This is a good read Miller I printed it out for future reference, Thanks!!!!
"There’s no such thing as a bitter person who keeps the bitterness to himself.” ~ Erwin Lutzer
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
ORIGINAL: bigbaba
i think the kates/avengers seem to be the real ship killers. in my opinion, vals are not effective like kates against warships but they do well against unarmed targets (AP and so).
Keep in mind the allied SBDs, as they are true killers indeed. Even more so with the 1000lbs bomb carried on short/medium range missions. Though as not as lethal as the japanese Nakajima B5N KATE-borne fishes, they can ruin your day too! That´s another reason you´re advised to keep a certain hex distance when clashing with the US carrier force. (besides the allied torpedo planes you should try to ban from the battle) If you (IJN) are very lucky you can even fight a carrier confrontation without F4F escorts against your KB´s massive coordinated strike. Though the KATE´s will be armed with bombs instead of their usual torpedo load then...
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
Yugumo - Very tough and has radar but weak AA - surface combat.
A Very important Japanese destroyer class despite its low combat values. It´s best to have one or two in Japanese CV task forces and night surface combat forces for the radar effects. (see rule book)
Makes an effective U boat hunter for the same reason when grouped with other destroyers too.
¨If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.¨ Che Guevara
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
the IJN CAP gets the "radar-bonus", when you have 1-2 of this DD in your CV-TF?
intresting thing.
intresting thing.
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
the IJN CAP gets the "radar-bonus", when you have 1-2 of this DD in your CV-TF?
intresting thing.
Yes, this is the only Japanese ship class with radar IIRC.
I tend to avoid the very early game carrier clash if possible until the Yugumo class DD´s come into the game. I think around turn 30.
If one is planning on fighting a carrier battle with the Allies, IMHO it is best to have two Yugumo class DD´s in your CV TF along with your very high rated AA escort ships.
¨If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.¨ Che Guevara
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
RE: How to get the best out of your IJN ships
IJN CL KUKA and KITAKAMI classes are fitted with type 13 radar sets each. And CVE SHINYO & KAIYO have type 21 onboard. However, KITAKAMI class cruisers will arrive very late in the game - if ever. And the two CVE classes aren´t available in Sc17 and Sc19 camapigns. [:(]
Historically, on BB ISE a Type 21 set was installed by May 1942. And IIRC one of the japanese fleet carriers also has radar by 1942 already. I think it was SHOKAKU. Unfortunately you don´t get any upgrades as japanese player when sending ships back to the homeland.
Historically, on BB ISE a Type 21 set was installed by May 1942. And IIRC one of the japanese fleet carriers also has radar by 1942 already. I think it was SHOKAKU. Unfortunately you don´t get any upgrades as japanese player when sending ships back to the homeland.