Fleet Composition

[Anthonest]

Im about to invade America as Germany, and I need advise for defeating there massive navy. My navy is huge for Germany's standards, about 8 1943 carriers, 12 1943 battleships and a bunch of smaller ships. I use the synergies, Battleships with destroyers, Carriers with light cruisers. One thing im not sure about though is how they are, I have 2 carrier fleets, both have 4 carriers each but they seem weaker against American numbers, same goes for the battleships, 2 fleets, 6 each. My question, should I make these fleets bigger? Are they stronger in numbers? 1 carrier fleet with 8 carriers and 12 light ships? 12 battleships 24 destroyers? Im not sure about the stacking penalty either, should I keep them how they are?

Also Im not sure about the synergies either, having only 2 ship types per fleet. Im not sure, thanks in advance.

 

[marxianTJ]

Well, typically what people do is keep their carriers in fleet numbers smaller than the lowest command limit for admirals - so your admirals gain the most exp. But 3/4 carriers + 4/5 CLs would be fine - depending on how your techs and doctrines are you may find that you're unable to sink HUGE concentrations of US fleets.

As far as BBs and DDs go you want 2-3 BBs and as many DDs as you can fit in the fleet as possible to maximize their speed.

Reminder: you can keep your Carriers and BBs in the same tile and they'll fight together, but not in the same fleet - or the BBs will die.

Usually what works for Germany, is you've managed to invade the UK, you've likely killed *some* of the US fleet.

Now if you want what would likely sink all the US fleets - is to put absolutely every surface gunship you have in a single fleet and keep the carriers separate with a bare minimum of screens - mainly because the naval stacking penalty is poorly implemented and basically doesn't exist as long as you have a very high level admiral in charge of your zerg fleet.

Typically what I do (so as to pretend the stacking penalty is real) is stick 3 BBs with as many DDs as I can fit until the hull penalty kicks in, and match carriers with the # of carriers + equal number of CLs + 1.

When you actually land on the East Coast, just surround your TP fleet with your own fleets - chances are you won't lose more than a few ships and lots of ORG.

 

[Anthonest]

My Fleets (1944)

1.Trägerflotte: (Carrier Fleet)
4 CV, 8 CL, 4 CAG's

2. Trägerflotte:
4 CV, 8 CL, 8 CAG's (Newer carriers higher capacity)

1. Schlachtflotte:
6 BB (3 Older 1940, 3 Modern 1943), 12 DD

2. Schlachtflotte
6 BB (All modern), 12 DD.

Optimal?

 

[Anthonest]

Well, typically what people do is keep their carriers in fleet numbers smaller than the lowest command limit for admirals - so your admirals gain the most exp. But 3/4 carriers + 4/5 CLs would be fine - depending on how your techs and doctrines are you may find that you're unable to sink HUGE concentrations of US fleets.

As far as BBs and DDs go you want 2-3 BBs and as many DDs as you can fit in the fleet as possible to maximize their speed.

Reminder: you can keep your Carriers and BBs in the same tile and they'll fight together, but not in the same fleet - or the BBs will die.

Usually what works for Germany, is you've managed to invade the UK, you've likely killed *some* of the US fleet.

Now if you want what would likely sink all the US fleets - is to put absolutely every surface gunship you have in a single fleet and keep the carriers separate with a bare minimum of screens - mainly because the naval stacking penalty is poorly implemented and basically doesn't exist as long as you have a very high level admiral in charge of your zerg fleet.

Typically what I do (so as to pretend the stacking penalty is real) is stick 3 BBs with as many DDs as I can fit until the hull penalty kicks in, and match carriers with the # of carriers + equal number of CLs + 1.

When you actually land on the East Coast, just surround your TP fleet with your own fleets - chances are you won't lose more than a few ships and lots of ORG.

So Doomstack?

 

[marxianTJ]

Well the doomstack works - but I like to pretend the stacking penalty is real and so you just surround your TP tile with fleets in all the other tiles and that should keep you safe - with a modicum of junk ships in the same tile as the TPs themselves just in case something comes out of the port you're trying to take.

 

[Beefbomber]

I hate to be this asshole, but your fleet is going to get crushed.

1.Trägerflotte: (Carrier Fleet)
4 CV, 10 DD, 10 CL

1.Trägerflotte: (Carrier Fleet)
4 CV, 10 DD, 10 CL

1. Schlachtflotte: (Surface Fleet)
6 BB, 10 DD, 10 CL, 5 HC

2. Schlachtflotte: (Surface Fleet)
6 BB, 10 DD, 10 CL, 5 HC

These are small changes to your fleet, it will make them a little bit stronger, but you're facing a Strong USN.

My recommended fleet:

I. Carrier Fleet (KM)
5 CV, 25 DD, 25 CL, 25 LC
The Carrier Fleet stands a higher chance of survival
(Make two of them if you have more than 5 Carriers)

II. Surface Fleet (KM)
5 BB, 10 BC, 5 HC, 15 DD, 15 CL
The Surface fleet stands a chance against a strong USN. Always build more if you think you have the time to build them.

Yes, this costs a lot of IC but its sure as hell worth it.

You can go even further with your Fleet Composition, if you're playing MP these fleets will come in handy.

This was from a game me and a couple of friends had going on. This was from one battle.

I wasn't using the exact same Fleet Composition as I put up above. This was a Battlecruiser Based Fleet. If you want to rule the waves you need to make a sacrifice, you need to take the risk.

 

[yamato2cz]

spam CLs. has 40 of them in one fleet without any penalty once. shreds anything.