naval combat - to stack or not to stack

**Deus Ex** · 02-08-2005, 05:23

Can anyone tell what the mechanics of naval combat are? Is it better to stack your ships or have them individual?

I've done a bit of searching the forums and not found much. One point seems to indicate a substantial advantage if you are the attacker instead of the defender. But other than that - I have no clue as how to best deploy my naval forces...

any other tips or strategies regarding naval combat??

(playing un modded M:TW atm. hoping to get VI soon)

many thanks

**CherryDanish** · 02-08-2005, 15:17

Here are some guidelines as naval warfare in MTW is sorta random.

1) never launch a naval assault in the same round as you score a major land victory. In these situations a single enemy ship can wipe half your fleet in that sea region off the map.
2) if you have 2 ships versus an enemy's one ship, send in your ships singly to attack, but send them both. This gives you 2 chances to stop the enemy ship. If you have 4 ships versus your foe's two ships, send them in two stacks of two. If your fleets are about even, send the stack.
3) evaluate an enemy vessel's speed. If it's speed is higher than your pursuit ships, it stands a better chance of evading you.
4) in naval combat, valour counts.

**ichi** · 02-08-2005, 15:42

When in a defensive/holding mode I stack my ships; when chasing/attacking I split my ships up based on ship speed if I am after one (or only a few) fast boats.

ichi

**Odin** · 02-08-2005, 16:59

Originally Posted by Deus Ex

Can anyone tell what the mechanics of naval combat are? Is it better to stack your ships or have them individual?

any other tips or strategies regarding naval combat??

many thanks

One tip: Speed is important. I have had times when I couldnt finish off a fleet and I had no idea why. The boats I were using had a lower speed value and I came to the logical conclusion that his boat was faster then mine and I could catch it.

Spend a few minutes scouting the enemy fleet for its unit composition and make sure your attackers have comporable or better speed stats.

EDIT: or you could simply read Cherry Danish's comment #3 which is the same dam thing I just typed out !

**CherryDanish** · 02-08-2005, 18:38

Originally Posted by Odin

EDIT: or you could simply read Cherry Danish's comment #3 which is the same dam thing I just typed out !

Yeah, but you said it more clearly. I was rushed. ;)

**Saracen_Warrior** · 02-09-2005, 03:30

Lots and lots of ships. if you have numerous 1 on 1 battles with even statted ships the comp will always win more of them no matter what you do.

**mercian billman** · 02-09-2005, 03:42

Some guidelines I use are,

-Speed is important
-Always try to fight with at least a 2:1 advantage
-Naval warfare is attrition warfare, Tactical skill means nothing, If you can build ships faster than your enemy you will win.

**Deus Ex** · 02-09-2005, 18:07

Thanks for all the great info - so stacking does help, that's good to know.

Related question, is a stack of 4 longboats better/stronger than a stack of 2 caravels?

thanks again for all the great answers everyone!

**macsen rufus** · 02-09-2005, 20:24

I always assumed stacking helped because a high-star admiral gets to control the fleet, and gives the other ships command valour, as in land armies - but I could be wrong!

**Deus Ex** · 02-09-2005, 21:53

That's an interesting thought - I'll see if I can tell (look at valour of units stacked vs unstacked)

That could be a significant advantage to stacking...

thanks!!

**mercian billman** · 02-14-2005, 05:14

In my experience the quality of Naval Commanders isn't that important, thus I never stack my ships. It's a lot harder for an opponent to destroy your fleet when he has to attack single ships in 1 vs 1 battles. When attacking I like to concentrate 2-3 of my ships on 1 enemy ship. Even if the enemy has other ships in that sealane I find it's a lot easier to eliminate one ship at a time and force the AI into a war of attrition.