All of the above posts are really nice to read, and most encouraging.
If I may add comment, I long ago learned that when I do anything with convoys, I always end up referring to the TERRAIN MAP MODE. This is necessary to see the names of places and where they are on the map. This info is also available on the SUPPLY MAP MODE. Also – when setting convoy routes – one would want to see the positions of your fleets, fleet ranges, and possibly more important – the operating range of your land-based NAVs when making decisions how to route convoys. This info is also available on both map modes.
However, I have never used the Supply Map mode for making convoy decisions. One of the problems with that map mode is that the arrows are not accurate as to which sea zones are transited. While I consider the same effect with land units a good “fog of war” I cannot see how those convoy arrows missing actual sea zones used and cutting into zones not transited can help to set up convoy routes accurately. Supply Map Mode does have its uses, and the “at a glance” view of all convoys is good, but not where I think one wants to be when setting up convoys. I am assuming the existing convoy display will be where convoys continue to be set up, and only needs the full display of destination choices visible. Note: You already have full display of Port of Origin choices when setting up any convoy.
Another consideration earlier mentioned was “calculating convoy distances” something that is already on both the Terrain and Supply Map modes regarding total ocean distance. However, it would be nice if distance was also “adding” as one was plotting any route to so quicker decide on mid-route options like “should I go 3 sea zones this way, or 2 that way”. And a way of backing up the route would be helpful.
Regarding the “onerous manual user technique” of how convoy routes currently are decided, it is by usually setting up several convoys from different points of origin to same destination first to make comparisons, and then cancelling all but the shortest one. You can actually already set up any number of convoys from different supply points TO SAME DESTINATION - provided clock is stopped and no convoy exists for that destination. We are attempting to do the reverse – set up supply convoys to “other destinations” in a region where a depot already exists.
Caution: I have many times caught the AI actually not setting up the shortest route. And the fact that Plymouth to India really is shorter via the Med than any other route is a problem when Italy is sinking all my transports, and I want to go via Africa – but can’t.
Lastly, I wish to reiterate that I think much of the coding exists already within the convoy section and only the interface is restricting implementation of hub system (plus any technical reason that I absolutely do not understand, or why it ended up being done as it is). However, as far as "user interface" is concerned I would not wish to have to use Supply Map mode, but continue doing it within the TRADE TAB to set up convoys as already exists. You build the hub system by knowing the name of your hub point, and then simply creating convoy to it using existing convoy interface. However, tracing zone-by-zone supply routes is something different that will need to be done on one of the maps. It seems logical to do that on the logistics map - once the Supply Route arrows are made accurate. I don't know how this action in Suppy Map mode would interact with the zone-by-zone route as is currently written for any convoy in the Convoy section (Trade Tab). Definitely plotting convoys needs to occur on map, but creating hubs does not, and seems nearly possible given what already exists in the game.
I hope the above is helpful to build a wonderful new convoy system. Unfortunately, I will never benefit from it because of time constraints which are making it impossible for me to even play 1.08 as Germany to Barbarossa start as a sort of practice for TRM. Given my current commitments, if I ever actually finish my planned AAR with TRM, I think that will probably conclude my gaming with Hearts of Iron. As Germany doing only that land war, there are no convoy problems at all! But I'll do my best to share what I've learned over the many years manually operating the suckers, and so hope AoD might better handle convoys in a future version to enhance them and create a better game.
EDIT: It might also be that "plotting convoy route" really is just an enhancement, and should not necessarily be priortized ahead of "all other enhancements" as I probably wrongly indicated in my earlier. To clarify, the first priorities are "buttons" and "hubs"; and that nearly exists within Trade Tab, and should stay there, imo.
If I may add comment, I long ago learned that when I do anything with convoys, I always end up referring to the TERRAIN MAP MODE. This is necessary to see the names of places and where they are on the map. This info is also available on the SUPPLY MAP MODE. Also – when setting convoy routes – one would want to see the positions of your fleets, fleet ranges, and possibly more important – the operating range of your land-based NAVs when making decisions how to route convoys. This info is also available on both map modes.
However, I have never used the Supply Map mode for making convoy decisions. One of the problems with that map mode is that the arrows are not accurate as to which sea zones are transited. While I consider the same effect with land units a good “fog of war” I cannot see how those convoy arrows missing actual sea zones used and cutting into zones not transited can help to set up convoy routes accurately. Supply Map Mode does have its uses, and the “at a glance” view of all convoys is good, but not where I think one wants to be when setting up convoys. I am assuming the existing convoy display will be where convoys continue to be set up, and only needs the full display of destination choices visible. Note: You already have full display of Port of Origin choices when setting up any convoy.
Another consideration earlier mentioned was “calculating convoy distances” something that is already on both the Terrain and Supply Map modes regarding total ocean distance. However, it would be nice if distance was also “adding” as one was plotting any route to so quicker decide on mid-route options like “should I go 3 sea zones this way, or 2 that way”. And a way of backing up the route would be helpful.
Regarding the “onerous manual user technique” of how convoy routes currently are decided, it is by usually setting up several convoys from different points of origin to same destination first to make comparisons, and then cancelling all but the shortest one. You can actually already set up any number of convoys from different supply points TO SAME DESTINATION - provided clock is stopped and no convoy exists for that destination. We are attempting to do the reverse – set up supply convoys to “other destinations” in a region where a depot already exists.
Caution: I have many times caught the AI actually not setting up the shortest route. And the fact that Plymouth to India really is shorter via the Med than any other route is a problem when Italy is sinking all my transports, and I want to go via Africa – but can’t.
Lastly, I wish to reiterate that I think much of the coding exists already within the convoy section and only the interface is restricting implementation of hub system (plus any technical reason that I absolutely do not understand, or why it ended up being done as it is). However, as far as "user interface" is concerned I would not wish to have to use Supply Map mode, but continue doing it within the TRADE TAB to set up convoys as already exists. You build the hub system by knowing the name of your hub point, and then simply creating convoy to it using existing convoy interface. However, tracing zone-by-zone supply routes is something different that will need to be done on one of the maps. It seems logical to do that on the logistics map - once the Supply Route arrows are made accurate. I don't know how this action in Suppy Map mode would interact with the zone-by-zone route as is currently written for any convoy in the Convoy section (Trade Tab). Definitely plotting convoys needs to occur on map, but creating hubs does not, and seems nearly possible given what already exists in the game.
I hope the above is helpful to build a wonderful new convoy system. Unfortunately, I will never benefit from it because of time constraints which are making it impossible for me to even play 1.08 as Germany to Barbarossa start as a sort of practice for TRM. Given my current commitments, if I ever actually finish my planned AAR with TRM, I think that will probably conclude my gaming with Hearts of Iron. As Germany doing only that land war, there are no convoy problems at all! But I'll do my best to share what I've learned over the many years manually operating the suckers, and so hope AoD might better handle convoys in a future version to enhance them and create a better game.
EDIT: It might also be that "plotting convoy route" really is just an enhancement, and should not necessarily be priortized ahead of "all other enhancements" as I probably wrongly indicated in my earlier. To clarify, the first priorities are "buttons" and "hubs"; and that nearly exists within Trade Tab, and should stay there, imo.
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