Reposting my suggestion from the gameplay/feedback group:
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HT has previously stated that there will be trains, but that they'll have NO effect on strat. He says it won't work because of the
complexity of field captures & strat.
Here's how it'd work:
Build a rail & truck system linking all bases, with tracks that even run between unfriendly bases. Essentially a combination of a web linking each base to its closest neighboring bases with a few lines running from the industrial centers into this web.
The rail system runs through a depot a short distance from the fields. From there a truck/road system runs to the field.
Trains run from the 'industrial center' to the depots, trucks run from the depot to the field (truly critical fields may just have trains running to the field directly)
When a field is captured, the trains begin running directly to that field, provided the tracks don't run through an enemy field (via the web of tracks). If the tracks from friendly bases do run through a captured field, automated c-47s begin ferrying supplies from the closest field. (this prevents enemy fields from being held deep inside enemy territory) without air support Also allow human c-47 drivers to suppliment these automated runs.
C-47s only carry supplies (automated or human pilots) from fields that are at 125%.
This basically allows people to have bases deep inside enemy territory, and hold them, but only if they open up a supply route either through good air defense (since damage to the field won't be repaired until supplies get through) or via gooneys.
Berlin airlift anyone?
This also means that the side with fewer fields gets more rapid resupply. But it also allows low-level fighter bombers to get into a role they were designed for: Taking out smaller strat targets of opportunity.
If trucks are added that run from the depot to the fields, this provides targets of opportunity to drag vulchers covering a field. (A role currently being handled by suicide b-17s that take off just to drag vulchers down to try and pick them off with gunner fire.) The 17s should somehow be discouraged from this unrealistic behavior (since this buff has no intention of bombing ANYTHING, it's just a gun platform) Having the game provide an automated gunned convoy as a sort of mini-strat for the fighters fills this niche.
my dos (tres?) pesos
~Lemur
