I do not speak of the mechanics of sub combat vs surface fleets or of the ease with which destroyers protect the shipping lanes and slaughter subs by the score. These things are also imbalanced, but I have a different point to raise.
Based on other threads which did in depth studies and on my own observations over hundreds of hours of play, it appears that only two of the four basic types of convoys can actually be attacked and sunk (unless you wish to count empty ships heading back for another run as a fifth type.)
Troop convoys and trade convoys can be sunk. Supply convoys and those carrying resources home from overseas possessions are never attacked.
This means that with effort and time the Allies can successfully blockade Germany and end its ability to import goods. Conversely, Germany can do very little to cut Britain off from the flow of goods needed to feed her factories. British convoys bearing oil and rubber will not cease unless so many convoys have been sunk that there are not enough left to man the route.
These resource convoys should be attackable. Britain should, at least in theory, be vulnerable to a successful interdiction of Atlantic shipping. This was certainly one of Churchill's greatest fears.
Not only does the seeming invulnerability of these routes give Britain a distinct advantage it also eliminates the majority of the Reich's opportunities to find and sink shipping.
(EDIT: it turns out that these convoy types are not actually immune, simply much harder ot detect than seems reasonable. Also damage to them is fleeting and the consequences should perhaps be increased in severity.)
Based on other threads which did in depth studies and on my own observations over hundreds of hours of play, it appears that only two of the four basic types of convoys can actually be attacked and sunk (unless you wish to count empty ships heading back for another run as a fifth type.)
Troop convoys and trade convoys can be sunk. Supply convoys and those carrying resources home from overseas possessions are never attacked.
This means that with effort and time the Allies can successfully blockade Germany and end its ability to import goods. Conversely, Germany can do very little to cut Britain off from the flow of goods needed to feed her factories. British convoys bearing oil and rubber will not cease unless so many convoys have been sunk that there are not enough left to man the route.
These resource convoys should be attackable. Britain should, at least in theory, be vulnerable to a successful interdiction of Atlantic shipping. This was certainly one of Churchill's greatest fears.
Not only does the seeming invulnerability of these routes give Britain a distinct advantage it also eliminates the majority of the Reich's opportunities to find and sink shipping.
(EDIT: it turns out that these convoy types are not actually immune, simply much harder ot detect than seems reasonable. Also damage to them is fleeting and the consequences should perhaps be increased in severity.)
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. Very important for commerce warfare in the Pacific and Med as well.
