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Post by garychildress on May 17, 2019 17:11:49 GMT -6
I haven't delved enough (as a matter of fact, basically not at all) into the air war aspect of the game yet to really get a feel for what works and what doesn't, however, I notice in the almanac the only two traits listed for a/c are "speed" and "firepower." I'm wondering if that might be a good indication that when I submit a proposal for new a/c designs I should probably emphasize those two aspects more often than not.
Anyway, for those who have had more exposure to the air war dynamics, what has so far worked best for you in the game or what hasn't?
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snwh
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Posts: 121
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Post by snwh on May 17, 2019 17:15:54 GMT -6
I haven't tried out any aircraft thus far (barely played the demo outside the designer) but I was always planning on range-reliability for most things. range for more or less obvious reasons, and reliability because even the best aircraft is useless if its out of commission during an encounter.
But I really want to hear the opinions of peoples who have actually done battles with aircraft.
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Warspite
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Sky of blue/And sea of green
Posts: 230
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Post by Warspite on May 17, 2019 17:17:24 GMT -6
Fighters: Speed/Range
Torpedo Bombers: Range/Bomb Load
No real experience whether this is 'optimal' or not but just my gut instinct. No doubt in the full game I will be proven wrong.
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Post by peregrine on May 17, 2019 17:19:21 GMT -6
Torpedo Bombers: Range/Bomb Load Bomb load doesn't affect the quantity of torpedoes carried by a torpedo bomber, at least not in the time-frame shown in the demo. It's always a single torpedo. So IMHO, Range/Speed is better for Torpedo Bombers.
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Post by Blothorn on May 17, 2019 17:20:24 GMT -6
I tend to emphasize range--especially in the 20s aircraft ranges are pretty crippling, and I expect range will often determine who gets to launch the first strike. Reliability hasn't been a limiting factor even with "poor" reliability across the board (although I will sometimes keep a just-slightly-worse design in service for a bit to see if it proves more reliable).
Edit: bombload does influence whether a TB can carry a torpedo in a medium payload--probably worth emphasizing it when it makes the difference there. (e.g. not early, when even high-payload bombers can't carry a torpedo at medium, and not late enough that they can even if it is not a point of emphasis.)
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Warspite
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Sky of blue/And sea of green
Posts: 230
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Post by Warspite on May 17, 2019 17:22:38 GMT -6
Torpedo Bombers: Range/Bomb Load Bomb load doesn't affect the quantity of torpedoes carried by a torpedo bomber, at least not in the time-frame shown in the demo. It's always a single torpedo. So IMHO, Range/Speed is better for Torpedo Bombers. OK. I was proven wrong in a few minutes...
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Post by akosjaccik on May 17, 2019 17:28:41 GMT -6
I agree with the opinions above, for these early TBs I tend to priorize speed for closing down the opposition's window of opportunity, and range for tactical flexibility. Although I might try some exercises maybe with reliability focus, because it might worth it if it cuts down operational losses.
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Post by peregrine on May 17, 2019 17:31:01 GMT -6
Actually, a question to the devs; Can late-game TB carry more than a single torpedo?
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Post by dougphresh on May 17, 2019 17:31:24 GMT -6
Torpedo Bombers: Range/Bomb Load Bomb load doesn't affect the quantity of torpedoes carried by a torpedo bomber, at least not in the time-frame shown in the demo. It's always a single torpedo. So IMHO, Range/Speed is better for Torpedo Bombers. I’ve seen bombload-bombload produce torpedo bombers than can carry either a 2000lb bomb or 2 x 1000lb bombs in 1925, that’s not half bad.
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snwh
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Post by snwh on May 17, 2019 17:32:58 GMT -6
its really tempting to make a fighter with excellent manueverability and speed, or firepower, but I think that probably needs to wait until at least the 30's.
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Post by aeson on May 17, 2019 17:33:56 GMT -6
OK. I was proven wrong in a few minutes... Torpedo bombers also act as level bombers, and emphasizing bomb load results in them being able to carry more and heavier bombs earlier. I have a British torpedo bomber that's capable of carrying a 2,000lb bomb in 1925, though the combat radius at heavy bomb ('only' 86nmi) load leaves something to be desired.
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Post by peregrine on May 17, 2019 17:34:04 GMT -6
Until you develop skip bombing, a single torpedo is better than those bombs in my limited experience.
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Post by aeson on May 17, 2019 17:35:04 GMT -6
Until you develop skip bombing, a single torpedo is better than those bombs in my limited experience. Not for attacking land targets.
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Post by peregrine on May 17, 2019 17:38:00 GMT -6
Until you develop skip bombing, a single torpedo is better than those bombs in my limited experience. Not for attacking land targets. True, but land targets are immobile, and typically once you have switched to pounding ground targets the enemy's naval assets are already annihilated, meaning that you can take your time removing those land targets with marginally inferior bomb loads. You can stagger your sorties so there is always at least one in the air, that way the battle won't end until you removed every enemy asset.
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Post by dougphresh on May 17, 2019 17:38:44 GMT -6
Until you develop skip bombing, a single torpedo is better than those bombs in my limited experience. For coastal bombardment they’re a godsend. I think dive bombers are a 30’s tech so they’re the only way to get bombs aloft. That and a 2000lb hit cripples any CVL or BB I’ve come across. Granted, not the easiest to hit with, but satisfying.
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