Community call to arms: Naval guide

[Nelson]

About ramming.

The Kotetsu and the L’Ocean are the only ships that can do it so far as I can tell. It would have made sense for the construction of Kotetsu class ironclad rams to be contingent upon the research for ramming. Either that or remove ramming as a researchable tactic and just give it to the Kotetsu , a ship that would still require the dry dock to build.

The Kotetsu (modeled after the CSS Stonewall I believe) is powerful enough to still be useful without ramming but it really makes no sense to separate this ship from the tactic.

BTW, the Kotetsu’s Gatling battery erupts into action as soon as it comes to bear within range. Very cool.

[Slaists]

Gunboats: can be used as naval scouts. Frequently, you cannot see what is in AI's fleet stack when you click on it. If you attack too strong, the AI runs away (and you have wasted valuable move points on some ships that could be used elsewhere). If you attack to weak: well... you're too weak then. So, send a single gunboat to attack the AI's fleet first and retreat (without going into the battle). This way, full AI's fleet's composition is displayed. The gunboat will be stuck near the AI's fleet, but will be freed after you defeat the AI. This becomes quite valuable on VH campaign difficulty when the AI is able to spam fleets left and right and you have to budget your own response very tightly.

Kotetsu: due to their superior range (1000 versus 750 for frigates) gainst the AI, these can be used for 'pulling'. If the naval AI is defending, it just sits near the edge of the map with broadsides facing the attacking player. AI starts to move only if any ships comes into gun range (AI's or the attacker's). So, a tactic that seems to work for me is to approach with frigates, corvettes and set them up at a distance (outside their gun range) facing the AI with broadsides. Kotetsu then moves and pulls the AI's fleets towards the player's combined defensive broadsides. Of course, this would not work against humans.

[Vladimir]

A simple high-tech tactic I've been using is an L-shaped formation. I line my five heavies up on the enemy's left flank, at a 5 or 10 degree deflection and use the 1000 range Kotesus for my base of fire. I only have two per fleet but them, my two corvette flankers, and my torpedo boat secure the base. It's a real pleasure seeing the Warrior lead the charge as it wraps around the flank.

I agree, gunboats are excellent scouts but I wouldn't risk them against a fleet. My ships are teched enough that all I need to see is the total number to be sure of a win.

[Slaists]

A simple high-tech tactic I've been using is an L-shaped formation. I line my five heavies up on the enemy's left flank, at a 5 or 10 degree deflection and use the 1000 range Kotesus for my base of fire. I only have two per fleet but them, my two corvette flankers, and my torpedo boat secure the base. It's a real pleasure seeing the Warrior lead the charge as it wraps around the flank.

I agree, gunboats are excellent scouts but I wouldn't risk them against a fleet. My ships are teched enough that all I need to see is the total number to be sure of a win.

On harder difficulties it's frequently beneficial to send in the MINIMUM force sufficient to defeat the AI in order for the AI not to retreat (which would result in a waste of move points for the player's fleet). At times, AI is approaching with half a dozen fleets in the same spot. So, every move point (ship) I can save comes in handy in order to defeat them all (and not let them slip by to bombard my shores). That's where the gun-boat scouts come in handy.

[Vladimir]

True, to a point, but that's where strategy comes in. One fleet to make them run, one fleet to send them to the bottom.

Maybe I'll play a land game when I don't have so many fleets, but for now they run scared.

[Peasant Phill]

True, to a point, but that's where strategy comes in. One fleet to make them run, one fleet to send them to the bottom.

... one fleet to rule them all?

[Vladimir]

... one fleet to rule them all?

Rule Britannia!

Yes, even though I declared a Republic, I still sided with the British to get that wonderful Warrior.