Improved hull increases range, doesn't it? Useful to let older capital ships keep up with modern escorts if you don't go the all-carrier route.
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theres alot of good brigade advise here in this thread it also comes up once a month at least i bet 
alot is mainstream common sence
alot is "optimizing your forces" let me explain, brigades will let your forces do one or two things better under certain situations... like crossing a river with more organization leftover or breaking a static line deadlock.
i can think of at least 2 ways to do that with different brigades. THERE IS NO BEST brigade. many of the games complex systems can work to the same result using various methods.
A big part of this game is visualizing what would be really cool to try and making it happen.
masterful players have proven you can achieve total conquest with not much more than unbrigaded militia! again theres no best brigade that you can research and put on every unit (german players put your hands down please)
so brigades should be researched, built, and deployed at times that help you alot in situations you constantly find yourself.
I agree with the school of thought that you shouldnt research everything, some day i might even do the same thing in two games in a row!
The main thinking there is i can research ahead (within limits) to a better version of my favorite units without wasting times on the 3 (4,5,6+?) units i never build or use!
I keep striving for the perfect game where i ONLY research exactly what ill need to build my ideal world conquering force right ?
and yes this will lead to the line of thought were you disband alot of your starting units that arent going to fit into "the plan"
Anyway i just thought id drop that since it gets tiring when people ask "whats the best brigade?" and people answer "uhhh SPA!"
nothing wrong with that one guy that MPs everything that could work great!
or the guy that ACs everything , i bet his units have alot more green bar at the end of the day!
alot is mainstream common sence
alot is "optimizing your forces" let me explain, brigades will let your forces do one or two things better under certain situations... like crossing a river with more organization leftover or breaking a static line deadlock.
i can think of at least 2 ways to do that with different brigades. THERE IS NO BEST brigade. many of the games complex systems can work to the same result using various methods.
A big part of this game is visualizing what would be really cool to try and making it happen.
masterful players have proven you can achieve total conquest with not much more than unbrigaded militia! again theres no best brigade that you can research and put on every unit (german players put your hands down please)
so brigades should be researched, built, and deployed at times that help you alot in situations you constantly find yourself.
I agree with the school of thought that you shouldnt research everything, some day i might even do the same thing in two games in a row!
The main thinking there is i can research ahead (within limits) to a better version of my favorite units without wasting times on the 3 (4,5,6+?) units i never build or use!
I keep striving for the perfect game where i ONLY research exactly what ill need to build my ideal world conquering force right ?
and yes this will lead to the line of thought were you disband alot of your starting units that arent going to fit into "the plan"
Anyway i just thought id drop that since it gets tiring when people ask "whats the best brigade?" and people answer "uhhh SPA!"
nothing wrong with that one guy that MPs everything that could work great!
or the guy that ACs everything , i bet his units have alot more green bar at the end of the day!
How do you Brigade Units outside UK mainland?
Well i wished i had read all these posts on various aspects of the game earlier... it woud have saved me literally dozens of "real life" playing time hours :wacko:
My question is: When playing the British, how do you add Brigade attachments to units stationed outside the UK Homeland.. or am i missing something?
For instance, the bloody Arabs keep rebelling in the Middle east and Palestine.. so i wanted to add MP units to my troops there, but it wouldnt let me. Surely i'm not expected to ship the Corp back to the UK to have it fitted / attached there? In the end i sold the most troublesome "sand" provences to the Canada... well it wasnt producing any resources and it took ages to move any troops there.
IE:
Air Units - do these have to be in the UK ?
Ship Units Ditto ?
Land Units Ditto ?
Surely, you would detach / ship a Brigade overseas to join its main formation... Which should cover Air & Land Forces?
for Naval units, i would have thought Alexandria or Columbo would have big enough Ship-Yards to "re-fit" Naval units with improved Brigades (except Imp Hull) ?
Whats the best way to upgrade / reinforce British/ Indian Units in other parts of the Empire?
As the British, can I upgrade any of my "puppet" units ie: Irag Air Unit or the dozen or so Nepalese Army Divs (Ghurkas ?)?
Slightly Off- Message:
If you buy / trade "units" from Allies, do they always have to deploy in your Home Country ?
As Britain, i took military control of Canada / Aus / SA / NZ forces and have about 20 Land / Air Divs in Alexandria.
Now do their own countries pay for their upkeep TC / Supply / repair etc whilst under my command? If i wanted to buy some of these units, so that i could upgrade them, would they dissapear from "Alexandria" and re-appear in the "deploy" in the UK only, or would they remain in Alexandria (but now British units?)
So is it better for the UK to buy some of the Dominion troops as opposed to militarily controlling them ?
Sorry its a bit long winded :wacko:
Well i wished i had read all these posts on various aspects of the game earlier... it woud have saved me literally dozens of "real life" playing time hours :wacko:
My question is: When playing the British, how do you add Brigade attachments to units stationed outside the UK Homeland.. or am i missing something?
For instance, the bloody Arabs keep rebelling in the Middle east and Palestine.. so i wanted to add MP units to my troops there, but it wouldnt let me. Surely i'm not expected to ship the Corp back to the UK to have it fitted / attached there? In the end i sold the most troublesome "sand" provences to the Canada... well it wasnt producing any resources and it took ages to move any troops there.
IE:
Air Units - do these have to be in the UK ?
Ship Units Ditto ?
Land Units Ditto ?
Surely, you would detach / ship a Brigade overseas to join its main formation... Which should cover Air & Land Forces?
for Naval units, i would have thought Alexandria or Columbo would have big enough Ship-Yards to "re-fit" Naval units with improved Brigades (except Imp Hull) ?
Whats the best way to upgrade / reinforce British/ Indian Units in other parts of the Empire?
As the British, can I upgrade any of my "puppet" units ie: Irag Air Unit or the dozen or so Nepalese Army Divs (Ghurkas ?)?
Slightly Off- Message:
If you buy / trade "units" from Allies, do they always have to deploy in your Home Country ?
As Britain, i took military control of Canada / Aus / SA / NZ forces and have about 20 Land / Air Divs in Alexandria.
Now do their own countries pay for their upkeep TC / Supply / repair etc whilst under my command? If i wanted to buy some of these units, so that i could upgrade them, would they dissapear from "Alexandria" and re-appear in the "deploy" in the UK only, or would they remain in Alexandria (but now British units?)
So is it better for the UK to buy some of the Dominion troops as opposed to militarily controlling them ?
Sorry its a bit long winded :wacko:
They have to be on your homeland. Sorry.
Ditto
Nope
Yup
They pay for them, because they are their units. Shouldn't matter if you have them military controlled or not. (I'm not 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure)
Back to your capital in London unforutantely. Just the way the game works.
Hey, thanks for the prompt reply..
Ummm... as expected, but not the answer i was hoping to hear
Is it possible to edit any files, to make the capitals of British outposts / pocessions appear as part of the UK to the game mechanism?
You could add a suitable time "delay" to when youcan add the "brigade" to a unit.. IE: if you remove a Brigade from a UK based unit, you have to wait until a given date, before it is available to re-brigade to another ?
It just makes managing the British Empire and all its outposts even harder.. (quite realistic in some respects).. I mean you wouldnt fly / ship your air/ Garrison units back to the UK some 8000 miles just to add an "escort fighter" / "MP" or ART" Brigade ... thats plain stupid! ?
With the German Forces, do they have to be in Germany to attach brigades.. or can they be attached to any of their units as long as they are in direct supply in mainland Europe (not separated by sea) ?
Ummm... as expected, but not the answer i was hoping to hear
Is it possible to edit any files, to make the capitals of British outposts / pocessions appear as part of the UK to the game mechanism?
You could add a suitable time "delay" to when youcan add the "brigade" to a unit.. IE: if you remove a Brigade from a UK based unit, you have to wait until a given date, before it is available to re-brigade to another ?
It just makes managing the British Empire and all its outposts even harder.. (quite realistic in some respects).. I mean you wouldnt fly / ship your air/ Garrison units back to the UK some 8000 miles just to add an "escort fighter" / "MP" or ART" Brigade ... thats plain stupid! ?
With the German Forces, do they have to be in Germany to attach brigades.. or can they be attached to any of their units as long as they are in direct supply in mainland Europe (not separated by sea) ?
The key is that they have to be able to trace an uninterupted line through OWNED land back to your capital. If you ownly control a piece of property, you wont be able to deploy units there. If there is an ocean seperating you from your capital, same thing.
Germany can depoly units in France, after Vichy, because it owns the land, but not before because it merely controls it.
As for modding, the only way I could think of would be to add an impassable land connection from your far flung colony provinces back to your capital. Actually.... thats not a bad idea, and would probably work.
Germany can depoly units in France, after Vichy, because it owns the land, but not before because it merely controls it.
As for modding, the only way I could think of would be to add an impassable land connection from your far flung colony provinces back to your capital. Actually.... thats not a bad idea, and would probably work.
:0 Not too sure how I would go about doing that....
Which config files would i have to edit, if i wanted to start my overseas "garrisons / air / land / Naval units with a particular brigade already added at scenario start?
At least that way, the Brigades would auto-upgrade as techs improve.... not exactly a cheat "cheat", just a workaround poor game mechanics.. or so i have convinced myself
PS: I'm starting a Naval thread ref: Naval Brigades and a few naval queries.
PSS: Where is the "search for" box on these forums ?
NAVAL Brigades / Tactics / AI U-Boats in ARMA 1.3B2
I read on the Wikki forum for "Brigades Guide" and there was some discussion about how effective "Naval Brigades" (Upgrades) are / were.
Fire Control? Improves as you study more techs?
Seems that FC (Fire-Control) was the only worthwhile upgrade ?
RADAR ? This improves as you research more techs
I would have thought that RADAR, being "leading edge" technology at the time would be a highly advantageous.. ie: spotting enemy beyond visual range, engaging the enemy at night or in bad weather.
Coupled with FC, that would surely be an effective combination... "to engage enemy surface units, accurately, beyond visual range and in all weather conditions ? Is this not modelled in the game ?
ASW ? Improves in effectiveness as techs researched (same as radar)?
CAP- AA & Normal - AA ?
The further you research up the Tech trees, the more you unlock the level of FC / RAD / ASW upgrades.... are these worthwhile as a bi-product of that research?
ie: you had already fitted out old tech FC / RAD or ASW to level II or III BBs or CAs, but as new techs researched, these auto upgrade over time. Would it be worthwhile to keep these ships in service and hope that the much improved RAD / FC / ASW overtime gives your ships a fighting chance?
Has anyone got there own opinions?
Land Radar = what do you benefit from adding more than 1 level to a province ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by indipuk View Post
Yes, they got a sub attack ranking but since AI in 1.3 does not build submarines any more then this sub attack bonus is useless in single player.
So do you mean that the AI doesnt build any submarines at all in ARMA 1.3b2 , dont they start off with some in their fleets?
I'm new to this game and I'm playing the UK from 1936.. (managed to prevent War breaking out with Germany / Austria until 2 Apr 40).. but my resource "convoys & escorts" have been attacked and sunk by U-Boats and my "real" Naval surface ships have been engaged and sunk in 1-2-1 battles with U-Boat packs too.. so the Germans must have U-Boats as i have seen them? PLus i have 7 x ASW Fleets actively looking for U-Boats
Does this mean that its not worth researching Naval Doctrines for Commerce protection / ASW bonuses etc or building / equipping / upgrading ASW ships ?
Ref: CV-Ls I take it that they actually dont have any planes to control or that you can add a produced CAG brigade to them (i tried this and it didnt work )?
Any tips how to beat the German "Uber Fleet" that destroys everything in its path... i have encountered it twice now in the North Sea (commanded by Raeder i think.. more like Arnie the Terminator).. it destroyed my CTF fleet of 16 Ships (2 x CV-IV, 1 x CV-II, 4 x CL-IV (with Rad/FC) 2 x BC-III, 4 x DD-III, 3 x SS-III in seconds (leaving 3 subs remaining). It then steamed happily on and sunk my Grand Fleet in seconds too.. this was an 27 ship Fleet SAG with
9 x BBs -III / II with RAD/FC,
1 x BC - III with RAD/FC
1 x CVL
7 x CL - IV with RAD/FC or AA mix
6 x DD - IV with ASW
3 x SS - III
It took me hours and hours of "of real play time" to upgrade / re-org a fleets of this size.... then the German fleet sunk them both early Apr 40 !! The German admiral had a ridiculously high Skill & Exp level.. not sure how as they had been hiding in port until Apr 40 !!
Im at a loss how to counter this... i originally read and followed "Pro_Consul's HoI2 Naval Primer" , who advises building 18 Ship CAGs / SAGs - but these were "sunk" pronto... so then tried the bigger fleets with no luck either. Is there something I am doing wrong, or is the AI just being lucky?
Any advise would be helpful
I read on the Wikki forum for "Brigades Guide" and there was some discussion about how effective "Naval Brigades" (Upgrades) are / were.
Fire Control? Improves as you study more techs?
Seems that FC (Fire-Control) was the only worthwhile upgrade ?
RADAR ? This improves as you research more techs
I would have thought that RADAR, being "leading edge" technology at the time would be a highly advantageous.. ie: spotting enemy beyond visual range, engaging the enemy at night or in bad weather.
Coupled with FC, that would surely be an effective combination... "to engage enemy surface units, accurately, beyond visual range and in all weather conditions ? Is this not modelled in the game ?
ASW ? Improves in effectiveness as techs researched (same as radar)?
CAP- AA & Normal - AA ?
The further you research up the Tech trees, the more you unlock the level of FC / RAD / ASW upgrades.... are these worthwhile as a bi-product of that research?
ie: you had already fitted out old tech FC / RAD or ASW to level II or III BBs or CAs, but as new techs researched, these auto upgrade over time. Would it be worthwhile to keep these ships in service and hope that the much improved RAD / FC / ASW overtime gives your ships a fighting chance?
Has anyone got there own opinions?
Land Radar = what do you benefit from adding more than 1 level to a province ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by indipuk View Post
Yes, they got a sub attack ranking but since AI in 1.3 does not build submarines any more then this sub attack bonus is useless in single player.
So do you mean that the AI doesnt build any submarines at all in ARMA 1.3b2 , dont they start off with some in their fleets?
I'm new to this game and I'm playing the UK from 1936.. (managed to prevent War breaking out with Germany / Austria until 2 Apr 40).. but my resource "convoys & escorts" have been attacked and sunk by U-Boats and my "real" Naval surface ships have been engaged and sunk in 1-2-1 battles with U-Boat packs too.. so the Germans must have U-Boats as i have seen them? PLus i have 7 x ASW Fleets actively looking for U-Boats
Does this mean that its not worth researching Naval Doctrines for Commerce protection / ASW bonuses etc or building / equipping / upgrading ASW ships ?
Ref: CV-Ls I take it that they actually dont have any planes to control or that you can add a produced CAG brigade to them (i tried this and it didnt work )?
Any tips how to beat the German "Uber Fleet" that destroys everything in its path... i have encountered it twice now in the North Sea (commanded by Raeder i think.. more like Arnie the Terminator).. it destroyed my CTF fleet of 16 Ships (2 x CV-IV, 1 x CV-II, 4 x CL-IV (with Rad/FC) 2 x BC-III, 4 x DD-III, 3 x SS-III in seconds (leaving 3 subs remaining). It then steamed happily on and sunk my Grand Fleet in seconds too.. this was an 27 ship Fleet SAG with
9 x BBs -III / II with RAD/FC,
1 x BC - III with RAD/FC
1 x CVL
7 x CL - IV with RAD/FC or AA mix
6 x DD - IV with ASW
3 x SS - III
It took me hours and hours of "of real play time" to upgrade / re-org a fleets of this size.... then the German fleet sunk them both early Apr 40 !! The German admiral had a ridiculously high Skill & Exp level.. not sure how as they had been hiding in port until Apr 40 !!
Im at a loss how to counter this... i originally read and followed "Pro_Consul's HoI2 Naval Primer" , who advises building 18 Ship CAGs / SAGs - but these were "sunk" pronto... so then tried the bigger fleets with no luck either. Is there something I am doing wrong, or is the AI just being lucky?
Any advise would be helpful
SPA is definitely helpful, esp for MOT, Armor and HQs. The extra wallop without sacrificing speed can really tilt the balance. Mobile AA is wonky and engineers seem like they do something but clearly aren't economical. I like artillery for paratroopers and marines that don't move much anyway. Armor -- light to superheavy, seems to do little but kill supplies and oil.
For Navy, improved hull and fire control on capital ships can be worth it for the UK, Japan and Italy. US has so much IC, it's better just to make more and skip the naval brigades. (radar, torpoedoes and AA seem like a waste for ships, but it's fun to deck out ships! just impractical and naval doctrines do far more)
I realize I'm in the minority, but I think well placed radar and fixed AA can really make a difference in specific instances. Of course, it depends on what country and what scenario, but basically massing AA (with radar) in a vital province can protect a fleet from pearl harboring NAVs (useful for UK, Italy and Japan especially) and IC from strategic bombers (Germany and axis).
If combined with interceptors, an decent or modest AA blanket you will chew up strategic bombers, TACs and limit strategic IC damage.
Consider that heavy AA may reduce org on port-striking carriers, opening a good chance for a decisive counterattack, if you are quick to intercept the lower org fleet, already chipped by AA.
Sure, more airpower can do this but that comes with manpower loss and lots of oil usage. If you do some AA building make sure to research modern tech versions, staying one generation ahead makes them better.
If you do build, I suggest a few serials to keep a small IC footprint.
Radar seems to take a long time to build so serials may make building them even sillier.
For Navy, improved hull and fire control on capital ships can be worth it for the UK, Japan and Italy. US has so much IC, it's better just to make more and skip the naval brigades. (radar, torpoedoes and AA seem like a waste for ships, but it's fun to deck out ships! just impractical and naval doctrines do far more)
I realize I'm in the minority, but I think well placed radar and fixed AA can really make a difference in specific instances. Of course, it depends on what country and what scenario, but basically massing AA (with radar) in a vital province can protect a fleet from pearl harboring NAVs (useful for UK, Italy and Japan especially) and IC from strategic bombers (Germany and axis).
If combined with interceptors, an decent or modest AA blanket you will chew up strategic bombers, TACs and limit strategic IC damage.
Consider that heavy AA may reduce org on port-striking carriers, opening a good chance for a decisive counterattack, if you are quick to intercept the lower org fleet, already chipped by AA.
Sure, more airpower can do this but that comes with manpower loss and lots of oil usage. If you do some AA building make sure to research modern tech versions, staying one generation ahead makes them better.
If you do build, I suggest a few serials to keep a small IC footprint.
Radar seems to take a long time to build so serials may make building them even sillier.
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@madbad3k: Those fleet compositions are decidedly suboptimal. For an 18-ship CTF, I would recommend having 8 capital ships, 6xCV and 2xCVL (as damage sponges) with 10xDD or CL (your preference), no surface ships and definitely no subs. They can't do anything with the carriers hovering 200 km away from the enemy, and if they DO get in range, they'll just make your carriers take more damage! Brigades are wholly optional, I would focus on getting a good number of fleets (= ships) first though.
Whaaaaat... 6 CVs..??? lol, have you tried playing the UK..... the population are too busy "flexing the plastic", there isnt enough funding to buy a teapot, yet alone field 6 CVs
Have you a Plan B = CV Lite?
As i havent played a full game yet.. i'm not too sure whats going to happen when Italy joins the War and starts "kicking off" in the Med... they have quite a modern fleet of BBs i guess... plus there is the German Uber Fleet Commanded by Raeder on Skill # 99+ with 2zillion Exp ?
Ah well.... i guess i will have to invest in some new Flags = "England Expects...... "
PS: Does anyone know if you can change the name of your Units, or are you stuck with what the game gives you... how annoying is it to have several air units named as fighters when they are actually all interceptors...... and dont get me going on why they think a Squadron = Sqn is bigger than a Group?
In Ascending Order this should be = Sqn - Wing - Group -Command
Can this be edited in any of the .txt /config files?
Select the unit and click on its name in the upper left area of the screen - a cursor will appear and you can change the name (you'll have to manually delete the old one).
Hi...
Many thanks for that.... its made the game a lot easier to control now. Is there a tread in the DD forums for "key short cuts" and other hidden game commands that the manual omits ?
For instance: If you have more than 1 transport fleet in a port, can you specify a particular fleet you want a "land unit" to be loaded on (as i end up having to send all the TFs i dont want my "land" unit to board, out to sea 1st), then load my unit on the remaining one) ?
I assume that when you are in the top left "information panel" (where you have the hot buttons along the top) that you carnt "drag and drop" similar units from one formation to another? But have to make units leave the current formation, create a new formation, then either merge them with the new formation you want if in the same province / port / airfield or if they are else where, give them a move or redeploy order?
Sorry for all the questions