Wars of Attrition

[Bargey]

As far as I know, HoI is the only game in the series which allows for you to have a "war of attrition" (When you are, instead of launching direct attacks, attacking supply routes and trade routes, henceforth taking supplies away from the target nation/faction) However, in HoI 3, it was impossible to do so. Sure you could sink convoys, but there was no direct targeting system which could allow you to hunt down a convoy that was travelling across the atlantic. Which was odd, considering a large part of the German war plan was to hunt down Canadian and American convoys headed to the UK. Also, another odd thing was, if one nation has complete air superiority over one area, trade would continue to go on, which makes no sense. Wouldn't a nation STOP sending convoys across a certain area where your enemy has air superiority?!

Anyways, this is one example. Long story short, I want it to be possible to attempt to cut off a nation from the rest of the world by using military force, and by other means, essentially, fighting a war of attrition

 

[Shootist]

I would think a Grand Strategy game would simulate and virtualize the air and naval war game even more than in the past. Hunting an individual wolfpack or air wing isn't sometime I find at all germain to playing the game.

But then, I cut my eye teeth on Rise and Decline of the Third Reich and later, Advanced Third Reich where air and naval warfare depend on how many ICs you throw at it (to a maximum, that is never terribly effective). Too bad those games cannot be/haven't been successfully computerfied.

 

[FOARP]

As far as I know, HoI is the only game in the series which allows for you to have a "war of attrition" (When you are, instead of launching direct attacks, attacking supply routes and trade routes, henceforth taking supplies away from the target nation/faction) However, in HoI 3, it was impossible to do so. Sure you could sink convoys, but there was no direct targeting system which could allow you to hunt down a convoy that was travelling across the atlantic. Which was odd, considering a large part of the German war plan was to hunt down Canadian and American convoys headed to the UK. Also, another odd thing was, if one nation has complete air superiority over one area, trade would continue to go on, which makes no sense. Wouldn't a nation STOP sending convoys across a certain area where your enemy has air superiority?!

Anyways, this is one example. Long story short, I want it to be possible to attempt to cut off a nation from the rest of the world by using military force, and by other means, essentially, fighting a war of attrition

What you are describing is not a war of attrition. A war of attrition would be wearing down the enemy's strength by attacking it directly, not under-cutting it by cutting off trade and supplies. This is strategic warfare.

But yes, it would be good if convoys were automated on-map units.

 

[degen83]

War of attrition should definately be modelled in the game somehow, so a player could utilize the strategies to impact their opponents supply lines. For example if the Americans land a force in Europe without naval superiority, Axis powers should have the option to attack the convoy supply lines and could potentially prevent those units from getting resupplied. Same with the Axis and the UK, if the UK loses naval superiority they might not be able to receive more supplies from elsewhere in the Empire, the USA, or Allies.

Basically supply lines are a vital part about simulating war and limiting an enemies supplies should be a viable strategy to defeat them.

 

[Dalwin]

Again, as FOARP said, that is not a war of attrition. That is strategic warfare. I am very hopeful that HOI4 will do a much better job of representing strategic warfare than its predecessors have. Switching from a resource stockpile model to a resource flow model for production by itself more or less guarantees that strategic warfare will be more meaningful.

War of attrition is where you wear the enemy down by causing him more casualties than you yourself suffer, not in the sense of an all out offensive but rather a steady grinding. Cutting supplies to forward areas can contribute to a war of attrition, certainly, but is not one in and of itself.

 

[degen83]

Again, as FOARP said, that is not a war of attrition. That is strategic warfare. I am very hopeful that HOI4 will do a much better job of representing strategic warfare than its predecessors have. Switching from a resource stockpile model to a resource flow model for production by itself more or less guarantees that strategic warfare will be more meaningful.

War of attrition is where you wear the enemy down by causing him more casualties than you yourself suffer, not in the sense of an all out offensive but rather a steady grinding. Cutting supplies to forward areas can contribute to a war of attrition, certainly, but is not one in and of itself.

Fair enough.

Attacking enemy supply lines has been part of warfare forever. Paradox usually models it somewhat, but I would like there to be a possibility of "starving out" the UK, potentially getting a navy that can defeat the Allies navy and blockade the whole of Europe to prevent Allies from sending supplies to UK to potentially force them to surrender.

Protecting your supply routes should be required to have a succesfull war effort. Bombers and partisans should affects on your supply lines. Paradox has done a decent job at modelling this in previous versions, I hope this trend continues.

 

[Dalwin]

Fair enough.

Attacking enemy supply lines has been part of warfare forever. Paradox usually models it somewhat, but I would like there to be a possibility of "starving out" the UK, potentially getting a navy that can defeat the Allies navy and blockade the whole of Europe to prevent Allies from sending supplies to UK to potentially force them to surrender.

Protecting your supply routes should be required to have a succesfull war effort. Bombers and partisans should affects on your supply lines. Paradox has done a decent job at modelling this in previous versions, I hope this trend continues.

If the same design pilosophy that is switching to a resource flow model for production carries over to the supply model, then I think you will get exactly what you want this time.