Ship Convoys

[Butcher]

I was thinking of a way to add new strat targets to the game, one idea was adding xAP's and xAK's to the game. These are (attack Personnel and transports) which would be convoys to oversea bases via a convoy. Maybe something small like 4 transports and a pair of destroyers for escorts, possibly even destroyer escorts.

I would say the convoys original out of Ports - and head towards island bases, to resupply them. xAP's would resupply troops while xAK's would resupply fuel, field guns etc. The Reason for 4 total, is if one xAP gets sunk then only half of the Barracks will come up in 45 minutes, same for xAK's if one is sunk then half a field will respawn, ,if all 4 are sunk then clearly the base will be down longer until the next convoy.

This is the idea in general, however for resting matters, you simply have them "convoy" towards a field for now to test how they are approached, for scoring purposes these ships would be half the perks of a Carrier sunk, and give Beaufighters and JU-88s some fun targets to look forward to.

Just an idea while having my coffee.

Example of an AP - USS President Adams


Example of an xAK - SS Julie Luckenbach

[wil3ur]

OK... to start off before anyone says wrong room, this isn't a 'wish list' posting, but an area to discuss a possible enhancement we may wish would happen... so Nyah!

I've put this forth in a previous post, but I think it may deserve it's own thread since I see the same thread popping up again and again in regards to CV's.

My thoughts would be to have support fleets for CV's, much like the trucks that run to bases to resupply these.  These would be needed to maintain operations and also work towards rebuilding a damaged fleet.  Basically, the support fleet leaves the port of call and makes a B-Line for it's fleet (following water of course).  The cons of this become immediately apparent...  The farther away from port you get, the longer resupply will take, and the greater chance for interception (DUH?!?!).

This adds two great aspects to the game...  You now have the ability to utilize attack craft for one of their main purposes, attacking soft targets, especially trains and convoys, and also would correct the issue of hiding carriers.

Carriers would have a 'bleed' set on their resources based on an over time equation.  Over time would be used because if were based on planes or anything realistic people would be really really mad...  But basically, this bleed on effectiveness (Droptanks are disabled...  Ordinance is disabled) would make the use of a carrier under assault a much harder task.  In addition, the CV would always require supplies, so convoys would always need to be sent.  If the carrier is hidden, supply convoys could be tracked.  If the base is under enemy control, the convoys cease, and the carrier becomes nearly useless (25% fuel no ord fighters only?).

This would also add the use of scout planes, particularly PBY's which I'd love to see in game to the overall aspect of gameplay while not removing anything from anybody.  I see this is a 'win win'.  I'd love to hear any suggestions or thoughts in regards to /this/ topic...

(Image removed from quote.)

[oboe]

+1

I always thought tramp steamers were great looking ships.   Liking the idea of the variety it would add.  Really miss train-busting.

[USAF2010]

YES! I live for anti-shipping 


.... and a Korean Wat arena (also 410, but that's being added) 

[MAINER]

+1

[RTHolmes]

+1 to anything that floats with (at most) light flak

[Volron]

Oh yeah...+1.   1st thing I would do is try to get a few people together and launch some D3A's against one.  But if not, the 25H it is!

[Pigslilspaz]

+As much as I can give.

I want floating things that I can use torps on without getting nailed by 5'' before I can even get lined up. Also, the B-25H for it's real purpose.

[Jayhawk]

+1

[Pigslilspaz]

Also, would give a stronger argument to put the Beaufighter and the Mosquito Mk. 18 (Hell, we don't even need to strengthen the argument for the Beaufighter, we've done enough in a different thread lol.

[Volron]

Well, the Beau will get added even if ship convoy's don't.  That much is certain, but having ship convoy's would guarantee it's addition much sooner than what is probably current.

[Bruv119]

hmmm  submarine food   

[oboe]

+As much as I can give.

I want floating things that I can use torps on without getting nailed by 5'' before I can even get lined up. Also, the B-25H for it's real purpose.

QFT

[Butcher]

+As much as I can give.

I want floating things that I can use torps on without getting nailed by 5'' before I can even get lined up. Also, the B-25H for it's real purpose.

This would require people to take the map seriously as far as the strategy of it goes, and here's my logic behind this -

If you don't defend the convoy's with CAP - then a lone B-25H or (beaufighter) will come in and sink it leaving your base unprotected in the event buffs come over to shut it down (without resupply the base won't rebuild quickly) leaving it more defenseless.

However like our Carrier Task Force, in 15 minutes the Convoy will re-travel to its base objective, if the primary convoy was shut down and the base, this convoy still can resupply it, if you want it resupplied quicker you'd need to have C-47s.


Now I have to figure out a way, to keep the convoys from being static. What I mean is, I don't want convoys just going from A to B, problem is people will be waiting and it will be a mess.

Instead the Convoys will actually have to travel Convoy lanes, which are setup by the Arena Map, Instead of a direct Port to Base Approach (A to B)

It will have 3 optioned routes to take (when the group spawns its randomized).

Basically its quite simple - you cannot have control of convoys, but the lanes are already setup as Predefined route objectives, same as setting a carrier's course.

I would even argue, it would be wiser to keep a carrier group that spawns from a far base to protect convoy lanes, while carriers that are close to the front's be used to take bases, this allow's some radar and protection.

However I am still not keen on the idea of having the Convoys show up on the clipboard, last thing we need are certain squads switching sides to sink the convoys.

[Skyguns MKII]