Strategy is needed (urgently)

[unmerged(56051)]

Well, its seems to be that my strategic plans never work .
But my problem is far more complicated than just my stupid strategics.
First of all, the way I handle my armies at the air/land/sea is pathetic.
At the ground, its seems to be that I havent understood how to use a variety of forces effectively. I always build only normal infantry\armoured\motorized\mechanized divisions without using any other type of units on the ground. I also never pay attention to the weather, the terrain(which is explained by the fact that I build only normal infantry) . Im always picking only Heavy Tanks & Field Artillery as brigades.
I never pay attention to leader traits. The lack of variety is my main problem on the ground. However, at the sea my problems are FAR worse. I do not understand the mechanism of navy battles and I dont understand the use of any unit.(for example, I dont know what submarines are good at, expect convoy raiding :X ) I dont understand most of the navy doctorines as well.
At the air, I know NOTHING about brigades(are there any brigades for air units???) and I dont understand the mechanism of the battles as well. Again, I dont understand most of the doctrines so my situation is very sad.
I lack any tactic\strategic skill at this game! I also do NOT understand ANY of the "secret weapons".
Im playing doomsday without knowing HOI2 =[. So you can understand that my problems are at the basics of this game.
I also do not understand how to handle convoys by myself. I NEED HELP.
If someone can tell me just HOW to play this game right and explain its mechanism ill be very happy. Dont you think that I know nothing about this game. I have played over a month, I have played the tutorial, but there are still so many things that I havent understood. Please help.

P.S: How can I open a PDF file? :wacko:

 

[GM-san]

How can I open a PDF file?

Use Adobe Reader: its free. You may download it from here:

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

 

[Helshad]

Well, its seems to be that my strategic plans never work .
But my problem is far more complicated than just my stupid strategics.
First of all, the way I handle my armies at the air/land/sea is pathetic.
At the ground, its seems to be that I havent understood how to use a variety of forces effectively. I always build only normal infantry\armoured\motorized\mechanized divisions without using any other type of units on the ground. I also never pay attention to the weather, the terrain(which is explained by the fact that I build only normal infantry) . Im always picking only Heavy Tanks & Field Artillery as brigades.
I never pay attention to leader traits. The lack of variety is my main problem on the ground. However, at the sea my problems are FAR worse. I do not understand the mechanism of navy battles and I dont understand the use of any unit.(for example, I dont know what submarines are good at, expect convoy raiding :X ) I dont understand most of the navy doctorines as well.
At the air, I know NOTHING about brigades(are there any brigades for air units???) and I dont understand the mechanism of the battles as well. Again, I dont understand most of the doctrines so my situation is very sad.
I lack any tactic\strategic skill at this game! I also do NOT understand ANY of the "secret weapons".
Im playing doomsday without knowing HOI2 =[. So you can understand that my problems are at the basics of this game.
I also do not understand how to handle convoys by myself. I NEED HELP.
If someone can tell me just HOW to play this game right and explain its mechanism ill be very happy. Dont you think that I know nothing about this game. I have played over a month, I have played the tutorial, but there are still so many things that I havent understood. Please help.

P.S: How can I open a PDF file? :wacko:

Well, it seems you need to get down to the basics... Why not try the tutorial?? Learn as you go...

As for open a PDF file... why not download acrobat reader? Search for it on any nice searchengine and you will find it..

 

[unmerged(42341)]

And you could take a look at the Wiki
Altough its not yet updated for Doomsday it is still valid.

 

[unmerged(56051)]

Well, it seems you need to get down to the basics... Why not try the tutorial?? Learn as you go...

As for open a PDF file... why not download acrobat reader? Search for it on any nice searchengine and you will find it..

can you please be kind and explain?(not about the PDF :X. About the game!)

 

[unmerged(56051)]

And you could take a look at the Wiki
Altough its not yet updated for Doomsday it is still valid.

Looks like a nice site. Ill check it out! TNX

edit: Holy Crapp! This is a nice site ^^. Thank you

 

[blue emu]

... I always build only normal infantry \ armoured \ motorized \ mechanized divisions without using any other type of units on the ground...

That will work... no problem. You'll need a few HQ's, too, though... run by Generals or Field Marshals.

... I also never pay attention to the weather...

Pay attention to the weather!

Rain, storms, snow, blizzards and frozen conditions all penalize the attacker.

... the terrain ...

Pay attention to the terrain!

Rivers, Hills, Urban, Mountains, Swamps and Forests all penalize mobile forces like Armor and Motorized. Use Infantry in tough terrain.

... Im always picking only Heavy Tanks & Field Artillery as brigades...

I use SP-Artillery for Armor, Motorized and Mechanized. Some players prefer Heavy Armor, or even Engineers.

My Infantry usually have no brigades... sometimes Engineers or Artillery.

...I never pay attention to leader traits...

Pay attention to Leader Traits!

Panzer Leaders for Hard units (Armored or Mech). Logistic Wizards for mobile units (Armor, Motorized or Mech). Offensive Doctrine Leaders for attacking punch. Commando Leaders are for those Paratroops, Marines and Mountain Troops that you never build anyway.

... However, at the sea my problems are FAR worse. I do not understand the mechanism of navy battles and I dont understand the use of any unit.(for example, I dont know what submarines are good at, expect convoy raiding :X )...

Subs are for Convoy Raiding, correct.

Destroyers are for sinking Subs, and for screening your heavy ships.
Light Cruisers are for AA-protection, and for screening your heavy ships.
Heavy Cruisers are for Shore Bombardment and for pounding opposing ships.
Battleships are for Shore Bombardment and for pounding opposing ships.
Light Carriers are for ASW protection and improve your spotting.
Aircraft Carriers are for sinking everything you meet. The need a CAG-brigade in order to work properly.

Every fleet must have at least as many screens (DD and CL) as heavy ships (CA, BB, CV, CVL). Best if you have a couple of extra screens in each fleet.

Don't mix BB's and CV's... the ranges are too different.

CV's should go with DD's and CL's... and maybe add some CA's, too... but no BB's.

BB's should go with DD's and CL's, with a CVL thrown in... heck, maybe even some CA's... but no CV's.

... At the air, I know NOTHING about brigades(are there any brigades for air units???)...

Just Escort Fighters, which should be attached to Strats, TACs and NAVs.

... I lack any tactic\strategic skill at this game!

The same is true of half the people who answer questions on this Forum.

I also do NOT understand ANY of the "secret weapons"...

Secret Weapons are optional... the outcome of the war is usually already decided before any Secret Weapons get deployed.

I also do not understand how to handle convoys by myself. I NEED HELP.

Turn on Auto-Convoy and play a land power like USSR or Germany.

USSR is likely the easiest nation to play... great Industry (and lots of time to build more), huge natural resources, biggest starting Army in the world, your own major Alliance (Comintern), lots of space to trade for time if you feel threatened, decent Tech teams (low Skills, but excellent Component matches)... and you don't need Convoys, since Europe contains enough Victory Poins for you to win the game.

If someone can tell me just HOW to play this game right and explain its mechanism ill be very happy. Dont you think that I know nothing about this game. I have played over a month, I have played the tutorial, but there are still so many things that I havent understood. Please help.

If you like, I'll post tomorrow and explain how the Combat system actually works.

 

[unmerged(56051)]

That will work... no problem. You'll need a few HQ's, too, though... run by Generals or Field Marshals.



Pay attention to the weather!

Rain, storms, snow, blizzards and frozen conditions all penalize the attacker.



Pay attention to the terrain!

Rivers, Hills, Urban, Mountains, Swamps and Forests all penalize mobile forces like Armor and Motorized. Use Infantry in tough terrain.



I use SP-Artillery for Armor, Motorized and Mechanized. Some players prefer Heavy Armor, or even Engineers.

My Infantry usually have no brigades... sometimes Engineers or Artillery.




Pay attention to Leader Traits!

Panzer Leaders for Hard units (Armored or Mech). Logistic Wizards for mobile units (Armor, Motorized or Mech). Offensive Doctrine Leaders for attacking punch. Commando Leaders are for those Paratroops, Marines and Mountain Troops that you never build anyway.



Subs are for Convoy Raiding, correct.

Destroyers are for sinking Subs, and for screening your heavy ships.
Light Cruisers are for AA-protection, and for screening your heavy ships.
Heavy Cruisers are for Shore Bombardment and for pounding opposing ships.
Battleships are for Shore Bombardment and for pounding opposing ships.
Light Carriers are for ASW protection and improve your spotting.
Aircraft Carriers are for sinking everything you meet. The need a CAG-brigade in order to work properly.

Every fleet must have at least as many screens (DD and CL) as heavy ships (CA, BB, CV, CVL). Best if you have a couple of extra screens in each fleet.

Don't mix BB's and CV's... the ranges are too different.

CV's should go with DD's and CL's... and maybe add some CA's, too... but no BB's.

BB's should go with DD's and CL's, with a CVL thrown in... heck, maybe even some CA's... but no CV's.



Just Escort Fighters, which should be attached to Strats, TACs and NAVs.



The same is true of half the people who answer questions on this Forum.




Secret Weapons are optional... the outcome of the war is usually already decided before any Secret Weapons get deployed.



Turn on Auto-Convoy and play a land power like USSR or Germany.

USSR is likely the easiest nation to play... great Industry (and lots of time to build more), huge natural resources, biggest starting Army in the world, your own major Alliance (Comintern), lots of space to trade for time if you feel threatened, decent Tech teams (low Skills, but excellent Component matches)... and you don't need Convoys, since Europe contains enough Victory Poins for you to win the game.



If you like, I'll post tomorrow and explain how the Combat system actually works.

wow, tnx.

Good tips.

but I have some problems with what you said.

1st of all. Im already playing USSR and Germany most of the time. But the truth is that grand scale empires interests me as well. Those empires that truly need strong navy\airpower\ground forces like Japan and Italy(I dont like britain so much, democracies arent fun :[ )
So I would like to pick some other major countries except the USSR and Germany(although they are my favorite :X )

Your explanation on the navy is great. But it will be hard for me to remember all of this. :X

The secret weapons is definately not my favorite way of fighting. but I though that bombing UK with V-2 would be cool ^^ and effective at reducing their IC(mabye resources as well?). Nukes are also an option. So I would like to know EXACTLY how to build and use them.

In this forum there where a lot of complains about the convoy system so i started freaking out and i decided that I would learn how to use it.(Teach me!!!)

I also need explanation about the radar(pls explain me :] ), I just forgot to mention it.

Ill pay attention to the weather\leader\terrain for now on.(good explanation)

I know nothing about Self Propelled artillery :< so pls explain it as well.

Thank you for your time and your patience

 

[RolandRahn]

(snip)

I know nothing about Self Propelled artillery :< so pls explain it as well.

(snip)

Hi!

I'm also a beginner, so my gues should be taken with a big grain of salt , but I prefer SP-Artillery for my mobile units and avoid Heavy tanks.

I you break through, you need some armies that exclusively consist of fast moving divisions, so that you can encircle the enemy (or strike deep into his territory and capture something usefull, but you should be carefull doing so because if you are as stupid as me, you will loose your striking force when it is cut off....).

Heavy tanks are reducing the speed of a division. SP-Artillery doesn't. So, I prefer SP-Artillery for the mobile armies and field artillery for the infantry (speed penality, but it's just the infantry, their Job if to assist the mobile armies when creating a breakthrough and to hold territory, so speed is not an issue).

Just my 0.02 Euro,
Roland

 

[GrimReaper]

You might also want to look at this section:
http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=287

It applies to HoI2, but some parts still applies to DD, like the Domestic Policy FAQ.

 

[Mork]

The case of heavy tanks vs. SP Art is one of hard attack vs. speed.
Heavy tanks have better hard attack, but reduces your speed. They also have better softness (meaning less, the harder a unit, the better unit).
IMHO heavy tanks are someting to avoid. The armour, mec and motinf units have better speed than their regular infantry cousins. That is why you want them, as infantry is almost always better to build in terms of what they in IC/days vs. how much punch you get out of them. The only place where this isn't entirely true is in low manpower high IC countries like Germany.

 

[bubbelties]

1st of all. Im already playing USSR and Germany most of the time. But the truth is that grand scale empires interests me as well. Those empires that truly need strong navy\airpower\ground forces like Japan and Italy(I dont like britain so much, democracies arent fun :[ So I would like to pick some other major countries except the USSR and Germany(although they are my favorite :X )
)

Well those are very fun countires to play and I would say that if you feel your ready for it, try it. There are some excelent guides on the Wiki site, or you could read some AAR's about those nations, some are really informative.

The secret weapons is definately not my favorite way of fighting. but I though that bombing UK with V-2 would be cool ^^ and effective at reducing their IC(mabye resources as well?). Nukes are also an option. So I would like to know EXACTLY how to build and use them.

Also look at the computer secret techs. Those are also very usefull. I have never used nukes or V2s, but maybe in Doomsday I will have to someday.

In this forum there where a lot of complains about the convoy system so i started freaking out and i decided that I would learn how to use it.(Teach me!!!)

Ive never manually controlled convoys, I dont feel that it is really needed. And you can easily go without it.

I also need explanation about the radar(pls explain me :] ), I just forgot to mention it.

Rader improves the figting abillity of your air units in that province and sea provinces connected to that province. It is calculated on the level of your radar installation(1 to 10) and your radar tech. It also gives you information about connected sea provinces as it isnt covered in fog of war anymore.

I know nothing about Self Propelled artillery :< so pls explain it as well.

It improves your soft and hard attack, just like normal artillery. But it doesnt slow your units down like normal artillery. It also consumes oil and reduces your softness(making your division more hard, it has more armor, so it is less hurt by soft attack values of your opponents.

 

[unmerged(56051)]

Hi!

I'm also a beginner, so my gues should be taken with a big grain of salt , but I prefer SP-Artillery for my mobile units and avoid Heavy tanks.

I you break through, you need some armies that exclusively consist of fast moving divisions, so that you can encircle the enemy (or strike deep into his territory and capture something usefull, but you should be carefull doing so because if you are as stupid as me, you will loose your striking force when it is cut off....).

Heavy tanks are reducing the speed of a division. SP-Artillery doesn't. So, I prefer SP-Artillery for the mobile armies and field artillery for the infantry (speed penality, but it's just the infantry, their Job if to assist the mobile armies when creating a breakthrough and to hold territory, so speed is not an issue).

Just my 0.02 Euro,
Roland

Hi =]
Thanks for the tips.
Sorry, but I am a fan of firepower. And Im a Tank Fan so Im sticking with Heavy Tank brigades(Although from now on ill use self propelled artillery for the forces that I like to keep more... mobile )
Thank you for the advice.
I'm not stupid as you. Im dumber :<

 

[unmerged(56051)]

The case of heavy tanks vs. SP Art is one of hard attack vs. speed.
Heavy tanks have better hard attack, but reduces your speed. They also have better softness (meaning less, the harder a unit, the better unit).
IMHO heavy tanks are someting to avoid. The armour, mec and motinf units have better speed than their regular infantry cousins. That is why you want them, as infantry is almost always better to build in terms of what they in IC/days vs. how much punch you get out of them. The only place where this isn't entirely true is in low manpower high IC countries like Germany.

Infantry divisions are cheap, fast produced, and you can stick all kinds of brigades to them. Infantry still need to be your main power on the ground. They are mabye slow, but they are still mobile :X
Again, tnx for the tips!

 

[unmerged(56051)]

Well those are very fun countires to play and I would say that if you feel your ready for it, try it. There are some excelent guides on the Wiki site, or you could read some AAR's about those nations, some are really informative.



Also look at the computer secret techs. Those are also very usefull. I have never used nukes or V2s, but maybe in Doomsday I will have to someday.



Ive never manually controlled convoys, I dont feel that it is really needed. And you can easily go without it.


Rader improves the figting abillity of your air units in that province and sea provinces connected to that province. It is calculated on the level of your radar installation(1 to 10) and your radar tech. It also gives you information about connected sea provinces as it isnt covered in fog of war anymore.



It improves your soft and hard attack, just like normal artillery. But it doesnt slow your units down like normal artillery. It also consumes oil and reduces your softness(making your division more hard, it has more armor, so it is less hurt by soft attack values of your opponents.

good tips!
Special tnx to the radar explanation, cause I never use radar stations :<.
Does it spots naval\air units as well???

 

[bubbelties]

Yes it only sopts naval air units, land units are always shown in other provinces and depending on other factors, such us an open or closed society and your amry intelligence.

 

[Mork]

Infantry divisions are cheap, fast produced, and you can stick all kinds of brigades to them. Infantry still need to be your main power on the ground. They are mabye slow, but they are still mobile :X
Again, tnx for the tips!

Yes, of course. Regular infantry have to be the base of your army. Besides, you won't have the oil or the TC to support a strong motin/armour only army.


Armour, mec and motinf are used as your mobile forces. You break through the enemies defences with them, continue on, encircle and then destroy them. Just like IRL.
Infantry are your wall. They stop the enemy, hold the gaps you've punched with your mobile troops and protect you.

 

[unmerged(38522)]

Just some corrections to the previous posts:

logistic wizard leader is actually only meant for decreased supply/oil consumption of a unit, not to improve mobile units

also when making a fleet, as a rule of a thumb, CVs are the kings of the sea and will win almost any fight, or usually just set enemy on the run without damaging them much, putting battleships in the same fleet however, depending on the length of the battle, gives you a chance to sink tons of ships (they basically have to close in on the disorganized ships to sink them). CA/CLs are pretty much pointless. DDs provide more antiaircraft support as do CVs themselves and are much faster to build than either CL or CA. While BCs have a much shorter range and don't deal nearly enough damage as BBs do. So bottom line: your fleets are best if they contains 3-4 carriers, 5-6 destroyers and if you really want to sink ships (and also use Shore Bombardment ability, which decreases the efficiency of an enemy force), 2-3 battleships. Battleships are really not that necessary though.

You could also use light carriers to sink subs, but it's an expensive alternative to a destroyer.

as for using heavy tanks VS SP art - it really depends on the setting, the country and the way you prefer to play.If you are a slow and careful attacker, trying to secure everything before advancing (aka Major Turtle), heavy tanks are good to have and so are other attachments like heavy divisions. If you are an ambitious attacker and really want to Blitzkrieg the entire enemy, you need to have the quickest tanks and divisions possible. It can be possible to make a bunch of light tank strike forces with light tank attachments that will simply fly through enemy lines instanenously (13 speed, compared to 4 as infantry default or 3 with artillery). This offers a much more challenging campaign but is also risky because you can easily lose an entire army that way when it gets surrounded by enemy forces. Happened to Hitler a lot of times and so learn from his mistakes hehe.

oh also,I personally do not like making infantry since they are much weaker than specialized units such as marines or the ones I make themost - mountain divisions. Mtn have the most durability and toughness out of all soft forces and they also have more organization and morale than normal inf. They do take longer to make and cost slightly more,but are worth it in my opinion. Since most terrain in thegame is not flat and is usually either a hill or a mountain (especially so for asian countries or the americas, if you come to invade it), it is befecial to have lots of them since they get very few penalties and eventually get bonuses for fighting on hills/mountains. If you are playing as soviets, you will have trouble taking Romania/Hungary/Bulgaria without mountain divisions because the whole Balkan region is big mountain range. So yeah...I prefer them to normal infantry and when added with an attachment, they become really great.
Marines are okay too, but only useful if you expect a lot of rivercrossing. For major strikes (such as the D-Day), you really onlyneed 1 marine army and then just land your forces there.

 

[unmerged(3221)]

Mountain div require 15 manpower and also take 1.5 times longer to build and cost more IC. They have less soft attack than regular inf div. While building some for hills and mountain fighting, relying upon them elsewhere is very inefficient. Plain inf will do better in a lot more circumstances, and since you can build 3 inf for every 2 mountain div, building a lot of mountain div is not an effective strategy.

...

The original posting was generally about learning to play the game. Generally you will learn about aspects over time, not all at once. If you don't want to have to understand naval aspects until later, then play a big land power like the SOV or GER. Don't bother about secret weapons as they show up only later in the game. Focus on a few things like formations, HQ, land doctrines, and land leaders until you get the hang of that. Then try to include air units in later games and then finally naval units.

Both DD and HOI2 have a big learning curve, so you are not going to learn everything at once. Focus on a few things, succeed with that, and then try to expand from there. You also do not have to finish things. Try some things out for a while, play until you seem to hit a good endpoint, and then try to improve in your next game.

 

[unmerged(13933)]

Read the wiki and play the tutorials. Then have fun.