I can't figure out fleets

[Geomancer]

I haven't played in awhile. Started the game up, and it looks like they've completely changed how fleets work (probably new expansion stuff, which I do not own).

Now my fleets do nothing but sit in port. Every time I assign an admiral and give them an order (like to train, or to patrol) they go out to sea then immediately return to port as a reserve fleet and the admiral becomes unassigned.

I set up a fleet template, but they never get reinforced up to the limits of what I set like armies and air forces do. Probably because no mater what I do, I can't get them to be anything other than a reserve fleet.

I've looked at every button I can, but I simply can not figure this out. It has made the game unplayable to me for any nation that needs a navy. Is there information on how all this works that isn't in video form?

[Captain of the 4th Company]

Check out some navy tutorials. They helped me a lot when the update came out. Takes a bit to get used to the new system.

[(Pro)Hunter]

Click on the fleet group and right click on any part of the ocean to assign them to that area. Shift + Right click to unassign them from the area.

Then give each taskforce an order for them to carry out, they will then automatically move around on the assigned areas doing the task you selected for them.

[Geomancer]

Originally posted by (Pro)Hunter:

Click on the fleet group and right click on any part of the ocean to assign them to that area. Shift + Right click to unassign them from the area.

Then give each taskforce an order for them to carry out, they will then automatically move around on the assigned areas doing the task you selected for them.

They still do the same thing of going out, then immediately returning to port and unassigning my admiral.

[|H|H| Fr3ddi3]

Show us a screenshot, but it sounds like you've set the size of the fleet / patrol in question and the fleet manager automatically detaches ships and send them back to port in reserve because the fleet has it's ship allocation already.

And by set, I mean you've pressed a button on the fleet management controls which has locked the original size of the fleet / squadron / patrol in question and so it won't allow you to add anything more or change their template till you turn it off.

[(Pro)Hunter]

Are you selecting the fleet or the taskforce?

[gsayhi]

I'm having the exact same problem. I'm thinking it has to do with the fleet's Auto Detach settings and a fleet button that says how little damage the fleet will take before it has to turn around and go back to port. If auto detach is off, than the wounded ships alone won't return to port to be repaired the fleet goes as a body. Also, near that button is another one that shows how much damage the fleet will take before going back to port. I noticed that it was set to light damage on my fleet. I didn't have time to play with it last night but I plan to tonight and I'll give you a follow up.

[Geomancer]

Originally posted by |H|H| Fr3ddi3:

Show us a screenshot, but it sounds like you've set the size of the fleet / patrol in question and the fleet manager automatically detaches ships and send them back to port in reserve because the fleet has it's ship allocation already.

And by set, I mean you've pressed a button on the fleet management controls which has locked the original size of the fleet / squadron / patrol in question and so it won't allow you to add anything more or change their template till you turn it off.

Not exactly sure how to post screenshots but here goes.
Before deployment:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1805310139

Deployed on a training mission:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1805310167

They immediately return to port:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1805310198

[|H|H| Fr3ddi3]

Uncheck Automatic Reinforcement (the while plus sign under select all.)

Then try exercising again see if it works.

That button should only really be pressed once you've set your naval templates and assigned your ships accordingly.

[realist123]

I had somewhat of the same problem using subs to convoy raid. What worked for me was using the "hotkey" for convoy raid. Either when I sent a sub to the area, or after once the subs were in the area, I forget.

So maybe try using the "hotkey" command and see if that works. I will have to try an earlier posters advice in this thread, since that seems like it should work.

[gsayhi]

Geomancer! I found the answer.!!! I wasn't able to take a screen shot or use my clipping tool to show you. but here it goes.

1. Select your fleet and task force.
2. look for the button in the window that shows 3 white ships. It is your "Task Force Composition Editor."
3. Two new windows will open up. One will overlap the other. This window makes you select a type of ship type you will use in your task force. You should be able to just close it but I notice it doesn't always close for me (another glitch).
4. If the window won't close for you just pick any old boats and select them. Then see step 5.
5. Find the ships you just made and don't need and click the x to get rid of them.
6. The Task for editor lets you set the maximum number of a ship type from 1-99. That's useful to know to set your task force size and composition (My task force had only destroyers and I set it to 99. Now automatic reinforcements will eventually bring my task force to that size).
7. Here is the glitch that is making your ships go back to port. Next to that group of ships is a symbol such as binoculars, a shield, a turret, etc. I think the Idea is all ships in a task force should all have the same symbol. Here is where I found the glitch in my game at least. ALL SHIPS MUST USE THE ASTRIX or STAR SYMBOL. If not, the ships just roll back to port. Doesn't affect subs though and I don't really know why this works this way.

Hope this helps.

[Geomancer]

Originally posted by |H|H| Fr3ddi3:

Uncheck Automatic Reinforcement (the while plus sign under select all.)

Then try exercising again see if it works.

That button should only really be pressed once you've set your naval templates and assigned your ships accordingly.

This did work.

Originally posted by gsayhi:

Geomancer! I found the answer.!!! I wasn't able to take a screen shot or use my clipping tool to show you. but here it goes.

1. Select your fleet and task force.
2. look for the button in the window that shows 3 white ships. It is your "Task Force Composition Editor."
3. Two new windows will open up. One will overlap the other. This window makes you select a type of ship type you will use in your task force. You should be able to just close it but I notice it doesn't always close for me (another glitch).
4. If the window won't close for you just pick any old boats and select them. Then see step 5.
5. Find the ships you just made and don't need and click the x to get rid of them.
6. The Task for editor lets you set the maximum number of a ship type from 1-99. That's useful to know to set your task force size and composition (My task force had only destroyers and I set it to 99. Now automatic reinforcements will eventually bring my task force to that size).
7. Here is the glitch that is making your ships go back to port. Next to that group of ships is a symbol such as binoculars, a shield, a turret, etc. I think the Idea is all ships in a task force should all have the same symbol. Here is where I found the glitch in my game at least. ALL SHIPS MUST USE THE ASTRIX or STAR SYMBOL. If not, the ships just roll back to port. Doesn't affect subs though and I don't really know why this works this way.

Hope this helps.

This also worked and what I went with, since it allows the automatic reinforcement to still work.

Really strange. I'm guessing those symbols are associated with roles. They must be the cause of it all, I wouldn't say it's a glitch though. Just something I have no idea about, and of course isn't explained in the game at all. What a horrible UI for this =/



Thank you both for your help in getting me to figure this out.

[gsayhi]

My pleasure :)

[Proximo]

For automatic reinforcement I always use a distinctive symbol + color, this works the best for me.

I don't know how to upload pics, however, here's one of my latest ironman tryout: https://i.imgur.com/ryQ7brL.jpg

To clarify, I accept the British domination, therefore I only raid convoys ;)

[Team Triss]

Auto reinforcement will send ships that don't match the composition you've selected back to reserves. If no ships are left, the task force is disbanded.

I'm guessing that's what's happening to you.