- Naval bombers are not built in multiplayer games because of high opportunity costs and adequate substitutes are available.
3. I have heard no one talk about naval air. In the 3 single player games I have had it has ultimately proved devastating. Was therefore surprised to hear so much talk on TS during the game about building docks and ships but no talk of naval,air. I'm new - what am I missing here?
Background: The multiplayer game referred to in the quote revolved around an effort by the Axis to execute a successful Operation Sealion in 1939 and/or amphibious invasion of Northern France.
"talk of building docks and ships but no talk of [building] naval air" is a slight reinterpretation of the quote, although the emphasis might have been, "it would have been worthwhile to discuss how air units could help facilitate Operation Sealion"
Given the paramount importance of air superiority, the focus of the air war is to gain and maintain air superiority. NAV research, production, and deployment is sacrificed to research, produce, and deploy more fighters.
House rules that limit research to no more than 2 years in advance helps defuse the technology race. But the production race continues.
For every 100 NAV 1s produced, a nation can produce 108 FTR 1s. Granted, each FTR 1 uses 3 units of aluminum s vs 2 units for each NAV 1.
Specifically for Germany, for every 100 NAV1's produced Germany can produce 108 CAS2. These Tier 2 CAS can defeat Tier 1 FTRs and also adequately do double duty in Naval and Port Strikes.
But what about airplane production by Italy or Axis minors? Again, the bugaboo of "Air Superiority at All Costs" dictates that the other Axis nations produce fighters. And some more fighters. And then a few more.
Naval air (or specifically, naval bombers) are designed to sink ships. They fill a niche. In the early war (1939-1940) in a historically focused multiplayer game, there are roles for the NAV to fill (and not TAC nor CAS -- they are busy with the land war and generating a constant stream of air XP -- XP that they would not generate as quickly if they were on naval or port strike duty)
Allies:
- Conduct port strikes vs. Italian or German harbors (in a practice SP game, 10 port strikes did not sink any Axis ships. There might be a better way).
- Establish NAV wings in S. England, Malta, Cyprus, South Africa, Corsica and Singapore to interdict Axis convoys
- Support naval domination in the Mediterranean
- Germany and Italy conduct port strikes with the hope of a lucky strike.
- Place NAV wings in Sicily and Rhodes to support the Mediterranean naval fight. But before the Fall of France, it is not advised...the French fleet might absorb damage and shoot down Axis air.
- Sealion: OK. I think I might see the issue here. "OK, team. We're going to conquer England and or the North of France using our elite Marines. Let's put our heads together and figure out how we will maximize our air, sea, land units, in addition to any diplomacy and any other instruments of national power. We'll start the strategizing by talking about naval air."
3. I have heard no one talk about naval air.
You might be onto something. What if a Faction (in this case, the Axis) were to focus aircraft research, production, and deployment on planes capable of defeating the Allied (read: UK) navy?
A coordinated effort to use available air forces to conduct naval strikes and port strikes would come at the expense of air superiority.
If that is the case but the faction wants to maintain air superiority, no discussion of naval air power is necessary.
If the faction is willing to cede air superiority, then a discussion of naval air could be broached. But it would be ...unorthodox ("revolutionary" was the first word that came to my mind).
It would take an unorthodox team to concur, "Naval air will be our main focus." All things are worth exploring. But I'm running out of space and ink.
Hope that answers your question of "why wasn't there any discussion of naval air?"
- Air superiority trumps any consideration of an emphasis on naval air and thus makes discussion moot.
- For the European Axis faction, CAS and TAC can adequately conduct any naval air operations.
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