150 IPCs - Built the best fleet possible…


  • Ok, so what are your thoughts on the best fleet that can be bought for 150 IPCs.  It should take into account attack power, defence power, versatility, etc. but NOT transports.  Obviously the amount of transports needed depends mostly on the land situaiton.  So assume that you get 4 transports to start, and you build around that.  Also, since every country has at least 2 fighters, assume that the first 2 fighters are free.  It would be interesting to see who can come up with the most effective build.  Both in terms of winning percentage, and in terms of versatility.

    My initial thoughts would be:

    4 transports - FREE
    1 carrier - 16 IPC
    2 planes - FREE
    5 destroyers - 60 IPC
    9 subs - 72 IPC
    TOTAL - 148 IPC

  • Moderator

    In a real game scenerio, I’d be AC and ftr heavy b/c I like the versatility of ftrs, so I probably go something like this:

    4 trn - free
    3 sub - 24
    1 dd - 12
    3 ac - 48
    6 ftrs - 40 (2 free)
    1 bb - 24

    Total: 18 units - 34 att/50 def - 148 IPC

    As a side note if you went pretty much all subs you could end up with something like this, but you are vulnerable to possible large scale air attacks.

    4 trn - free
    15 subs - 120
    1 dd - 12
    1 ac - 16
    2 ftrs - free

    Total: 23 units - 40 att/48 def - 148 IPC

  • '18 '17 '16 '11 Moderator

    I’d probably go more DD, BB, AC, FIG

    4 Transports (Free)
    2 Fighters (Free)
    3 Aircraft Carriers (48)
    4 More Fighters (40)
    1 Destroyer (12)
    2 Battleships (48)

    Save 2

    I belive the extra battleship, over the submarines, adds significant staying power to your fleet from aggression from the other fleets.  Psychologically alone it might be worth it.


  • 2 BBs(48)
    2 ACs(32)
    1 dst(12)
    4 figs(20+free)
    4 trns(free)
    4 subs(32)

    =144, saving 6 for a rainy day

    Attacking and defensive power is less than in DMs suggestions so for the all out navy vs navy fights this isn’t optimal. I hate to be a tight-ass but what kind of navy is “better” really depends on what you are up against and what you want to achieve. I’d try to make the best use of my fleet in terms of aquiring IPCs or strategic advantages so I favor the BBs and fewer subs.


  • Build 2 CV, 4 fighters,4 DD, 8 Transports and save the rest for (2 infantry 1 artillery) ratio combinations. A navy is a vessel to carry land forces and safeguard sealanes with minimal protection from enemy subs, and planes… nothing more


  • If you play a game of rock, paper, scissors, and you know ahead of time what your opponent is going to play,what will happen?

    Same thing about a fleet.  A carrier heavy fleet is good against for defense against air attack, but is vulnerable to a mostly sub fleet with a few carriers for air defense.  A battleship heavy fleet is good for hitting and running, but isn’t good for defense.  You almost never need a fleet for “general purpose” because you can see the opposing forces in the area ahead of time, figure on what reinforcements they will build, and plan accordingly.  This whole thing about “free” transports is rather unnerving . . .

    You should have at least 1 destroyer in the force in case of an enemy sub attack, or the possibility the enemy will bring subs.  If you don’t have any destroyers, and are far from reinforcement, the only thing you can do against a massive sub build is going to be to run.  You should ONLY have one destroyer per fleet; only build two destroyers if you are planning on splitting your fleet.

    (edit) WHY only 1 destroyer?  Because 12 IPC gets you 3 attack or defense; you pay 4 IPC per.  If you spend only 8 IPC, you get 2 attack or defense, still 4 IPC per, but now you only have to pay 8 IPC per casualty instead of 12.  Destroyers are useful to bulk up against air attack, but then, that’s what carriers are for. (/edit)

    You should have at least 1 carrier in the force in case of an enemy air buildup.  You should also have 3-4 fighters per carrier nearby, so you can replace killed fighters.  You can possibly dispense with this and get destroyers instead if the enemy is low on resources and out of air; destroyers can have Combined Bombardment researched and be used for attacks on coastal territories.

    You should have at least 1 transport to increase the possibilities of your fleet’s attack.

    You should have at least 1 sub for battle fodder.  (It is the cheapest naval unit with an attack).

    After that, the composition of your fleet will be highly dependent on what you want to do with it.  If you want to attack an enemy navy quickly, you need lots of subs, if you want to pose a serious threat on land territories, you need 2-8+ transports, if you want to do some light harassment and hit and runs, you need battleships.


  • OK, I ahve a slightly different view than some on here as regards fleet.

    I will assume that my goals are to:
    A)  kill enemy fleet
    B)  make land assault in enemy land (since fleets in and of themselves are kind of pointless, except for protecting or helping to take LAND)
    C)  Have enough defense to protect my own territories

    Bacardi Fleet ($151 :-) )
    4 TRN (start)
    2 FIG (start)
    2 AC  (32)
    2 FIG (20)
    2 BB (48)
    1 DST (12)
    1 BOM (land based, but within range of enemy fleet and protected by my fleet) (15)
    2 SUB  (16)
    1TRN (8)

    I am assuming land forces also exist to fill the 5 TRNs as needed.

    Offensive Punch:  33 (5.5 hits)
    Number of hits that can be taken before any offensive punch lost:  7

    Defensive Punch:  42 (7 hits)

    Also a quick note… that is an “open water” fleet… the type you might mass in an effort to cross the Pacific.  In the North Atlantic, my fleetw ould look dramatically different.

  • '18 '17 '16 '11 Moderator

    @ncscswitch:

    OK, I ahve a slightly different view than some on here as regards fleet.

    I will assume that my goals are to:
    A)  kill enemy fleet
    B)  make land assault in enemy land (since fleets in and of themselves are kind of pointless, except for protecting or helping to take LAND)
    C)  Have enough defense to protect my own territories

    Bacardi Fleet ($151 :-) )
    4 TRN (start)
    2 FIG (start)
    2 AC  (32)
    2 FIG (20)
    2 BB (48)
    1 DST (12)
    1 BOM (land based, but within range of enemy fleet and protected by my fleet) (15)
    2 SUB  (16)
    1TRN (8)

    I am assuming land forces also exist to fill the 5 TRNs as needed.

    Offensive Punch:  33 (5.5 hits)
    Number of hits that can be taken before any offensive punch lost:  7

    Defensive Punch:  42 (7 hits)

    Also a quick note… that is an “open water” fleet… the type you might mass in an effort to cross the Pacific.  In the North Atlantic, my fleetw ould look dramatically different.

    But you went over budget, that’s not allowed in one round of play. :)


  • I had a bid :-P

    And I liked the “Bacardi Fleet” thing  :mrgreen:


  • I have 2 fighters and 4 transports, plus 150 IPC.

    4 transports (free)
    1 destroyer
    2 carriers
    3 fighters (5 total)
    9 subs

    Attack value of 38 vs sea (5th fighter uses an island for landing), defense of 29 against air (handles up to 9-10 fighters), defense of 48 against navy/air.


  • If you want the best naval attack fleet…
    16 SUB
    1 AC
    (plus the 2 FIGs and 4 TRN)


  • 3AC    48
    4FGT  40
    2DD    24
    2BB      48

    150 on the nose.

    Subs suck because they don’t hit well, don’t defend well, and can’t hope to live an air assault.

    Destroyers are much nicer, and having three loaded carriers will pawn anything which tries to attack.

    The two battleships with soak up hits, amphibious invasion support, and destroy anything.

    Fighters also have more versatile uses than subs.


  • @Nukchebi0:

    3AC    48
    4FGT  40
    2DD    24
    2BB      48

    150 on the nose.

    Subs suck because they don’t hit well, don’t defend well, and can’t hope to live an air assault.

    Destroyers are much nicer, and having three loaded carriers will pawn anything which tries to attack.

    The two battleships with soak up hits, amphibious invasion support, and destroy anything.

    Fighters also have more versatile uses than subs.

    I take it that infantry also suck because they don’t hit well and don’t defend well?


  • Math time:

    Inf vs tanks: 10 inf for 6 tanks. 101/3=3.33 theorectical hits on defense. 61/2=3 hits on defense.

    101/6=1.66 theorectical hits on offense. 61/2=3 hits on offense.

    So yes, infantry suck for attacking. They are very good for defending though.

    Now, subs vs destroyers:

    3 subs for 2 destroyers.    31/3=1 theorectical hit on defense. The same for offense. 21/2=1 theorectical hits on defense, also the same for offense.

    Now, for airplanes. 30/6=0 theorectical hits vs airplanes. Meanwhile 21/2=1 theorectical hits vs airplanes.

    Considering 25% of the forces in a naval battle tend to be airplanes, we will take 75% of the anti-ship attacks and 25% of the anit-aircraft attacks and average them by dividing them by two.

    1*.75=.75

    .75+(0*.25)=.75

    .75/2=.375

    1*.75=.75

    .75+(1*.25)=1

    1/2=.5

    Since .5 is 4/3 of .375, .375 is 3/4’s of .5.

    Therefore, subs have only 75% of the effectiveness that destroyers do, making the destroyers a better buy.


  • @Nukchebi0:

    3AC    48
    4FGT   40
    2DD     24
    2BB      48

    150 on the nose.

    Subs suck because they don’t hit well, don’t defend well, and can’t hope to live an air assault.

    Destroyers are much nicer, and having three loaded carriers will pawn anything which tries to attack.

    The two battleships with soak up hits, amphibious invasion support, and destroy anything.

    Fighters also have more versatile uses than subs.

    What if ennemy has a large fleet of subs. Your toast. You don’t have enough fodder and those AC will probably die…


  • Hey Nukchebi0.

    Couple thoughts:

    1. Infantry are pretty good on offense.  How many infantry can 60 IPCs of tanks kill?  How many infantry can 60 IPCs of infantry kill?

    2. If you build a lot of destroyers, you are telegraphing your move and you will be Rock-Paper-Scissored into submission.  Fighters beat destroyers easily.  Subs are great as fodder, so having plenty of them along with a carrier group or two is the way to go.  I think you have discounted them too much in your analysis.  In no instance would I have a destroyer-heavy navy for controling the water.

    Peace


  • In answer to the first question…

    The sim drops below 50% win rate above 14 INF being attacked by 12 ARM (46% for 15 INF, 60% for 14 INF)
    For INF attacking INF, the win rate is at 50% for 20 INF on 14 INF, so slightly worse than 60IPC of ARM.  at 15 enemy INF, the win rate drops to 36%, well below the ARM

  • '18 '17 '16 '11 Moderator

    The problem with the whole tank vs infnatry analogy is that I’m not sending my tanks in against infantry without meat shields.  Especially if they are subject to counter attack!

    Likewise, I’m not sending my carriers in against submarines without meat shields!


  • @OLver:

    @Nukchebi0:

    3AC    48
    4FGT  40
    2DD    24
    2BB      48

    150 on the nose.

    Subs suck because they don’t hit well, don’t defend well, and can’t hope to live an air assault.

    Destroyers are much nicer, and having three loaded carriers will pawn anything which tries to attack.

    The two battleships with soak up hits, amphibious invasion support, and destroy anything.

    Fighters also have more versatile uses than subs.

    What if ennemy has a large fleet of subs. Your toast. You don’t have enough fodder and those AC will probably die…

    Just attack them with airplanes, to weaken them.


  • @CrazyStraw:

    Hey Nukchebi0.

    Couple thoughts:

    1. Infantry are pretty good on offense.  How many infantry can 60 IPCs of tanks kill?  How many infantry can 60 IPCs of infantry kill?

    2. If you build a lot of destroyers, you are telegraphing your move and you will be Rock-Paper-Scissored into submission.  Fighters beat destroyers easily.  Subs are great as fodder, so having plenty of them along with a carrier group or two is the way to go.  I think you have discounted them too much in your analysis.  In no instance would I have a destroyer-heavy navy for controling the water.

    Peace

    1. Yes, in numbers, but they can’t move two and can’t blitz. Tanks provide more reliable defense. Maybe I should start buying infantry, though.

    2. I have everything in my navy, so there is no Rock-Paper-Scissors opportunity.

    3. Jennifer is right, though. Never send in expensive units without meat shields. The BB’s take care of that for the navy, and other infantry would come in with the tanks.

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