Fuel efficient Navy

[Jays298]

So I'm on my third play attempt. My first two were with the tutorial (Italy) and the most recent is Italy in 39. Mostly to learn the game.

And in all of them, I seem to have a big navy that can only patrol for maybe 30 days before I would theoretically run out of oil (even with Libya and the oil prospecting focus and some refinery / excavation techs).

But I don't really understand how to use the Navy without burning too much fuel. Like if I select my fleets to strike force and rely on radar to detect threats, I'm not sure if that's viable or not? Or if I need a super small fleet just to patrol while the big fleets stay on "strike force" or another mission? For the purpose of stopping the Brits (or anyone else) of making a landing in Italy or Sicily.

 

[porta80]

Yes you need a small patrol force. Refit some light cruisers for that purpose with seaplanes. They will patrol and scout and find enemy fleets the rest of your fleet is the strike force sitting in the port waiting to get the call from these scouts.

 

[Jays298]

Yes you need a small patrol force. Refit some light cruisers for that purpose with seaplanes. They will patrol and scout and find enemy fleets the rest of your fleet is the strike force sitting in the port waiting to get the call from these scouts.

I will try that. Thanks

 

[dasaard200]

Another possible idea : take 1 Capital ship and screen, to exercise to L3, and return to port .
Wait a few days for fuel to build up, then take another Capital + screen ... and so on .

 

[Mousetick]

Like porta80 said. Don't put capital ships in your patrols, they're fuel guzzlers that will deplete your stockpile in no time. Put them in your strike force(s), consumming no fuel while sitting in port waiting to engage. Use light hulls in your patrol forces, and just a few is enough. Patrol forces are primarily meant to spot enemy fleets for the strike forces rather than directly fight them - they need to be as fast and less visible as possible.

 

[ecpgieicg]

Yes, don't patrol with the more fuel consuming vessels. Only patrol with light cruisers, and destroyers that have good surface detection. (That is, old battleships are not very useful for spotting themselves even if they dont consume much fuel.) Only use heavier vessels if you realize your spotting force is not enough to tie down the enemy or your spotting force is at risk of heavy losses the moment an engagement starts.

If you want more oil...

Spoiler

Conquer Netherland early game.

Spoiler

If not in Elite mode, you should have enough PP to justify and grab Belgium along the way. Sweet iron and factories.

Note: why spoiler tags? Cuz tips in HOI4 can be like spoilers in a novel.

 

[Jays298]

Thanks. I didn't even think of those countries for oil. In my current game I worked my way to Baghdad. And with just my smallest fleet on patrol my fuel has been mostly manageable.