How to Destroy Enemy Fleet?

[Kura_VII]

I am playing as Britain and I am in a long drawn out war with France. I have the bigger fleet but whenever I attack their fleet it just runs away to a french port. I siege the port to force it out, it fights with my fleet a little then runs away again. Its really annoying because I am losing this war because I cannot blockade France while my fleet is chasing these ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ around Brazil. When ever France catches my smaller fleet that is trying to blockade somewhere. I lose the ships, they dont flee. What am I doing wrong? Does every fleet have to have an admiral? because I am already a little behind in miltary tech and dont want to use the points unless I have to.

[[Q]uik]

without an admiral, a small fleet (just like a small army) have a MUCH higher risk of being destroyed

also, ship battles - as far as retreat goes, works pretty much exactly like land battles - once morale runs out, they retreat.

[Sohei]

You could try building tons of galleys for use in the Mediterranean only. You will need many more to be competitive with heavy ships but it will still be far more cost effective. So, in a drawn out war you should wear down his fleets at much less cost. Naval force limit could be an issue however and they won't do you any good in the open ocean. If you get a port there for repairs and safe harbor you might be able to troll them with endless galley fleets.

[Mikey]

Admirals use diplo points, not mil points

[Sohei]

Originally posted by Mikehsan:

Admirals use diplo points, not mil points

My admirals counted against my max in mil points. As soon as one died the overage in mil points was reduced by one. So, they appear to use mil points.

[Kinakin]

Admirals cost 50 diplos to recruite. However they count towards the same leaders support limit. A nation has X amount of leaders it can support and a part of thoose are free of upkeep cost. However going over that free level costs mil points.

So basically generals cost milpo and admilars cost diplo to recruite however they both cost mil points to support.

[Kura_VII]

Its really irritating how the AI seem to have a leader in every fleet and army and still be a head of you in military tech.

The problem I have now is I am at war with france spain and portugal. They have a fleet around england which is messing up my trade but I can't catch it. It just does laps around Britain. So the only thing I can do is have two giant navies I guess. I hate the "wack-a-mole" feeling you get in this game sometimes.