Nit picky German Economizer

[Bean]

Well, those who are the most certain of themselves and the least likely to change their opinions are the ones who post the most. I wouldn't say it's pointless though, I'm sure it gets some observers thinking at least.

[Romulus]

I always learn something reading the threads.
And this also has been useful, for me.

[Cmdr Jennifer]

Ender:

Why does Germany need to kill the SZ 4 British fleet???  It can, I guess.  But wouldnt it be more effective to move Carrier, 2 Fighters, 2 Submarines, Transport and Destroyer to SZ 3 and cut it off forcing it to attack you?

[ncscswitch]

Having the UK attack the German Fleet in SZ3 allows the UK to use both their fleet AND their air force, increasing the punch of their attack by nearly double.

Attacking the UK fleet in SZ4 does increase their defensive punch compared to making them go on the offensive, but also allows Germany to deal with only the Naval units instead of both the Royal Navy and the RAF at the same time as would occur in SZ3.

[Gamer]

Having the UK attack the German Fleet in SZ3 allows the UK to use both their fleet AND their air force, increasing the punch of their attack by nearly double.

Attacking the UK fleet in SZ4 does increase their defensive punch compared to making them go on the offensive, but also allows Germany to deal with only the Naval units instead of both the Royal Navy and the RAF at the same time as would occur in SZ3.

Nice analysis, Switch.  I personally think that the best use of the Baltic fleet in the case that Britain goes to sz4 is to use one of your subs to block that fleet from loading troops from UK the following turn.  Why get your whole Baltic fleet killed?  It's useful for protecting your back door until you build up your infantry screen.  Bottom line, don't waste your fleet for no good reason.

[Cmdr Jennifer]

Yes, but your fleet also has a very good chance of doing serious damage to the British while you get the defense advantage.  Sure, he can hit you with a few transports, carrier, couple fighters, battleship and bomber.  So? 

15 Attack Punch

You have Carrier, 2 Submarines, Transport, Destroyer and 2 Fighters

19 Defense Punch


He'll have 9 hits before being completely destroyed, you'll have 7 hits before being completely destroyed.  Doesn't sound like it's too massively in England's favor to do the attack.

[ncscswitch]

Mutual destruction is UK advantage though... UK will rebuild fleet, Germany really can;t afford to.

So, instead of staging in SZ3, do the AF attack on SZ4 instead, lose some FIGs, buy some FIGs.

Then when UK tries to re-build their first fleet, you still have the Baltic Fleet intact to use for the SECOND attack on the UK fleet.

[U-505]

Actually Switch, the best move is a combination of the 2. A German fleet move to sz3 should be accompanied by an air only strafe on sz4 to reduce the amount of TP fodder available to the UK. In that case, the German fleet is still defensively strong and the UK is staring at most likely losing an offensive unit on the first round of attack against it. Plus, since the BB is actually the priority kill for Germany, it would be advantageous for Germany to preserve the subs and sacrifice surface navy and aircraft. If the UK still insists on attacking the sz3 fleet it forces the UK to push the battle to conclusion and risk the BB to the German subs because a retreat results in the BB being isolated from any UK naval builds to cover it.

[ncscswitch]

Very true U-505.

Though the Baltic Fleet move to SZ3 would be contingent on the results of combat in SZ4 though in my opinion.  If Germany gets hosed on dice in SZ4, then the fleet stays in the Baltic.

[Gamer]

Very true U-505.

Though the Baltic Fleet move to SZ3 would be contingent on the results of combat in SZ4 though in my opinion.  If Germany gets hosed on dice in SZ4, then the fleet stays in the Baltic.

Makes sense to me.  Also, U-505's strategy is probably more effective if Germany purchased the Graf Zeppelin on G1.  There's nothing like staring at 2 subs, a transport, a destroyer, carrier and two fighters in sz3 with no transport fodder to cover UK's BB and planes!!

[ncscswitch]

You definitely need the AC in a move to SZ3.  Otherwise UK can destroy you with just their AF.  If they have a BB to absorb damage, you could lose the Baltic Fleet potentially w/o loss to UK.