CVL are excellent ships in AoD.
They are very cheap and have awesome detection values plus insane ASW and anti-air abilities. During the early war (39-42) CVL can be used as escort vessels to provide cover for important capital ships and transports or as hunter-killer groups. In other words: Early war CVL are escort vessels, not combat vessels!
Some early war setup suggestions:
3 CVL + 3-9 TP
1 CVL + 5 DD
3 CVL + 3 DD
3-4 BB + 3-2 CVL + 6 CL/DD
Since CVL are long-range combat units, they will usually try to get to max distance when escorting TPs - and due to their superior detection values, enemies will *probably* (unconfirmed!) have a lower chance to start close to your fleet.
Later on, they get decent sea- and convoy attack values and around Tier III to IV (your LCAG being that level is enough, main ship can still be lower level), you can actually use CVL task groups for patrol and convoy raiding. Again, range and spotting abilites gives CVL a good chance to survive enemy encounters - even enemy BB will usually start out of range and you will have a good chance to deliever some damage before your CVL retreat (this are by no means deceisive battles, but you will sometimes deal severe damage or even sink ships without having to fear retaliation!). I did some impressive damage to japanese shipping with this tactic.
Suggestions for late war setup:
3 CVL + 3 CL/DD
6 CVL + 6 CL/DD
Obviously you should not mix CVL with regular CV unless the enemy has massive air units available or you want to have maximum protection for your CV stack. They lack range and firepower and will not help much in CV engagements.
They are very cheap and have awesome detection values plus insane ASW and anti-air abilities. During the early war (39-42) CVL can be used as escort vessels to provide cover for important capital ships and transports or as hunter-killer groups. In other words: Early war CVL are escort vessels, not combat vessels!
Some early war setup suggestions:
3 CVL + 3-9 TP
1 CVL + 5 DD
3 CVL + 3 DD
3-4 BB + 3-2 CVL + 6 CL/DD
Since CVL are long-range combat units, they will usually try to get to max distance when escorting TPs - and due to their superior detection values, enemies will *probably* (unconfirmed!) have a lower chance to start close to your fleet.
Later on, they get decent sea- and convoy attack values and around Tier III to IV (your LCAG being that level is enough, main ship can still be lower level), you can actually use CVL task groups for patrol and convoy raiding. Again, range and spotting abilites gives CVL a good chance to survive enemy encounters - even enemy BB will usually start out of range and you will have a good chance to deliever some damage before your CVL retreat (this are by no means deceisive battles, but you will sometimes deal severe damage or even sink ships without having to fear retaliation!). I did some impressive damage to japanese shipping with this tactic.
Suggestions for late war setup:
3 CVL + 3 CL/DD
6 CVL + 6 CL/DD
Obviously you should not mix CVL with regular CV unless the enemy has massive air units available or you want to have maximum protection for your CV stack. They lack range and firepower and will not help much in CV engagements.
