Some questions about strategy

[JoeyJoeJoeJabadu]

Specifically, looking to see what other players do in these situations.

First, as axis, anyone ever commit any German troops to Africa? Given the supply problems, the resources you would have to expend, and the limited benefits even victory would provide, it seems completely pointless. Pouring resources into something that will probably never pay off at all, and even if it does, won't break even.

As Axis also, anybody ever opt for Sealion? Or put effort into the Battle for the Atlantic other than replacing submarine losses? It doesn't seem like the damage you can do to even a moderately competent human player would make it seem worth the expenditure... and the chances of a successful Sealion are very remote.

Next, anti-tank guns. As the Axis you get one as part of Afrika Corps. And as allies you get one when the British mobilize. There is a 5 tier research line to improve these, and only these. They are effective against enemy armor, and only enemy armor... and only then in a defensive role. Anybody ever put time and effort into researching these or buying new ones? And if so, why?

Strategic Bombers. It seems like the money you have to put into researching, building and maintaining these far outweighs the damage they do to the enemy. And that isn't even counting opportunity cost of the things you cant buy because you are pouring money into strategic bombers. Anyone use these effectively?

Finally, as the US. When you are building up after maxing out your research, what is your build order and why? Do you build up to your limit of Carriers? Where do you stop?

[Thorin]

Big question is, do you want the answer against the AI or Human?

Against AI:

Africa: You can win africa with just the DAK, which gives you Suez, and a victory condition (Cairo), with some extra troops, esp if you went for the full french surrender, you can solve this before the DAK arrives, so they go against the SU, but your similar forces can rampage the entire Middle east, giving you multiple oil wells, and take lots of UK income, and even help against India. Or turn up after Iran into the SU underbelly.

Sealion: Can be done, not even hard, just get your airforce up and bomb out some units from any port, drop the para, and transport your units to the fresh lvl 5 port in a single turn. But this kills the UK and the US AI, so if you succeed, you pretty much won and no reason to continue.

Battle of Atlantic: Yes and No. usually keep my German fleet until france, and then go out in force to the atantic, subs and surface fleet. With some help from a few maritime bombers, you can easily clear out the UK home fleet from the atlantic before the US joins, and than the US atlantic Fleet after they joined, and just raid the UK into oblivion, also catch most of the transports and decimate the D-Day landings even if the Allies can try it.

AT: nope, useless tech and unit, won't even hold up to a similar lvl tank, and useless against infantry, and even if would be working, the small number of units make it useless anyway.

Bombers:They can be used as additional bombers against troops, with two strike, not that bad. Also fully upgraded, it can be devastating. At start, it will do one damage to a resource, that repairs at one per turn rate, not much. But every lvl it gets one more damage potential, so a lvl 3 bomber (starts from zero) can do up to four damage, repairs at one per turn, so you can kill 3-4 source with a single bomber, a mine worth 20, an oil field 30, do the math. The US/UK AI will gladly show this at lategame, where they keep half of france and germany damaged or even killed, a human can do much betterm and still use it for landings. Even more useful for supply choking, a few cities killed, and nothing gets supply in SU, done from airfield UK.

[GoldenTalon]

OP - are you asking against AI or PBEM?

[Metafreak]

When asking about Sealion the OP mentions a moderately competent human player, I would suggest he meant PBEM

[GoldenTalon]

Originally posted by Metafreak:

When asking about Sealion the OP mentions a moderately competent human player, I would suggest he meant PBEM

That being the case I would not recommend OP trying Sealion. I've only had a player pull a quasi successful Sealion and that was pre-1.05. As OP is clearly a newbie trying Sealion would lead to a quick loss for Axis.

[Scum]

@ OP - I think you should play some multiplayer games. I've seen successful sealions, and the Germans cleaning up in Africa - and both go a long way towards winning the game. IMO, a good German player can pick one or the other and almost guarantee a victory in that area. Not long ago, I actually failed as Germans at sealion, but I totally destroyed the British air force and most of the navy. Since my losses had been minimal, I was still ready for Russia and my opponent ended up surrendering.

One thought on carriers, I never build a heavy , but the light carriers are an excellent value, and also have the benefit of being good anti-sub units. I generally build all of them as the USA and Japan.

[Mercutio]

Regarding strategic bombers, you have to take several things into account as Allies
1) They reduce MPPs for the axis hitting mines, etc
2) They reduce supply which can be an issue when you go to invade
3) They bring escorts and that damages the German as it forces the player to reinforce, research and upgrade or die
4) They can also be used to scout the enemy strength to see where their units are, what level, etc.

As Allies, especially US, but UK as well, I find them incredibly worth it. Every MPP lose by Germany to counter you is an MPP they can't use vs Russia or use for research.

Regarding Sealion
You better know what you are doing. Against a decent and cautious Allied player, you will be in trouble. You don't have special forces and you don't have many amphibious landing units. It is a large gamble to research amphibious landings early because you really need to but that into tanks, fighters, ground attack, production, etc. You have to take a port and HOLD it long enough to unload troops and an HQ. It is high risk, but high reward if you can pull it off. It really depends on what happens to the BEF. Also if the allied player just throws some garrison units down, your paras cannot do much to get a supply city/port

Regarding carriers
1) They take FOREVER to build. 18 months
2) As the US, you will need them
3) CVEs and patrol boats are great for hunting subs, better than carriers, but cannot take the place of a carrier. You will need them.
4) The thing left out is maritime bombers. They are important for the pacific for both the US and Japan. Scout, anti-sub, sink transports and amphibious units, etc and long range. They shine in that theater.