Starving the japanese out of oil

[Timothy]

More choices/options are always better. Limiting it only to historical would limit replayability.

[Timothy]

Sorry - I double posted. Now corrected.

[michael lazar]

So far 10 out of 10 games I can starve the Japanese out of oil. In about 1/3 of them I get a decisive battle with a part of the Japanese fleet and gain carrier superiority for the game in 1942. Otherwise I keep hitting the oil bases and limit the Japanese to a 8 to 10 month supply of oil. Then start owning the bases in late 42 (often trading them with the Japanese). For a late 1943 (and once an early 1944) Oil victory. To make the game more challenging for me, I don't try and take any other Japanese properties except Tarawa (to make supply easier).

The issue is the AI does not press to cut the supply lines when it is ahead by 8 months of Oil. If it did so, then I could not keep pounding the supply lines, I would have to react. (often it takes insignificant bases like Guadalcanal, instead of Fiji, or Samoa.

So far I never loose against the computer as either side. I even gave it a 3 turn head start as the Allies.

[Gulfxray]

Originally Posted by JMHawkins

Towards the end of 1944 Japan was having some oil troubles and had started basing some larger, more oil hungry ships, out of ports in the East Indies to be closer to the oil supply. But they never did run completely out.

One of the design questions that would have to be answered to include subs is how to reflect doctrine. The US favored commerce interdiction and used most of its subs to sink merchants. This was a very effective doctrine. Japanese doctrine on the other and viewed subs as part of a war of attrition on the US fleet as it battled its way west. They used their subs to hunt and attack warships, and though they did score some kills, overal it was not a very effective doctine.

So, if subs were included in a future rev of the game, would you prefer they be limited to historical doctrine, or would you like to allow players to experiment with other options?

Thanks,
John Hawkins
KE Studios

Hi John... Great game... Responding to your question - I would like to be able to experiment with various sub doctrine options...

[hmsdreadnought]

Hello.
It is possible to win against Japan with attack (raid) the 6 bases with oil (Java to Formose). You must attack Home Islands at each turn : much boats of Japan must stay in Home Islands.
You must absolutely invade Java, Singapore, Luzon, Leyte and Borneo. But you must do that before march 1944. And the US gamer have a big problem : no enough Amphib groups ! When you invade, Japan come back with amphib and invade after you ! I use directly my amphib to receive new amphib in reinforcments.
But no always possible : when you receive 8 amphib and Japan 21... !
I prefer personnaly win with this attack but very difficult.
If US receive more amphib, it would be better.
However, you may win with attack by B-29.
I do this, but it is less pleasant.
The solution : a patch who give more amphib to US.
Submarine possibility is may be an other solution.
Regards, Romuald, Belgium.

[Akmatov]

would strongly prefer to be able to experiment with different sub strategies.

[Charleston]

Hi all,

I won my very first game in 11/1944 playing whack-a-mole with all the Japanese oil bases. It might have been six months sooner but I lost a bunch of shiny new Essex CV's when I stupidly closed to surface engagement range around Java.

A very fun romp and I lost three hours of real time just having to have "one more turn," before heading out to paint my garage.

I'm sure the AI will hand me my head to me when I switch sides for the first couple of games.

-Charleston