Blockade runners?

[Offworlder]

Hi I just bought the game and have a problem in understanding the role of American navy in the War of Indipendence (in game of course!).

Are they some sort of blockade runners like in ACW which bring in extra resources for the faction. If that is the case, in which box should I put them?

Or are they plain warships? Are they intended to destroy British commerce in the boxes?

What is the proper role for the American navy? Thanks in advance!

[Pocus]

They can disrupt the enemy shipping, but there is no blockade running system. Sinking merchantmen can earn you EPs though.

[Offworlder]

Merci beaucoup!

So basically the Americans are limited to conducting a privateering campaign. Good to know. BTW do they have to sink British ships outright to earn EPs or even damaging them is enough?

[FM WarB]

Wouldn't sinking blockading ships be useful? Historically the British navy did not have enough ships to be pwerful Everywhere on blockade.

[Offworlder]

Its pretty hard to do I think because British ships are normally combined into squadrons too powerful for the Americans to handle with their brigs.

On the other hand, does one get EPs for sinking British military vessels?

[Pocus]

No, you can possibly get some morale boost, and VP definitively, but EP can only be gained by sinking merchantmen as of now.

[FM WarB]

Its pretty hard to do I think because British ships are normally combined into squadrons too powerful for the Americans to handle with their brigs.

How about using American frigates?

[GShock]

What matters is to damage or sink the ships and the ROE settings help to withdraw in case of failure. Send the ship(s) back to repair and then try again. Even just damaging the enemy ships might force the AI or opponent to send the ship back to repairs, which translates in loss of EP for the british.

[lodilefty]

How about using American frigates?

OK in 1812, but other than BonHomme Richard, weren't they pathetic or non-existant in AWI?

I'm at best a poor researcher: you tell me!

..and BHR wasmn't much to write home about...

[Drakken]

Merci beaucoup!

So basically the Americans are limited to conducting a privateering campaign. Good to know. BTW do they have to sink British ships outright to earn EPs or even damaging them is enough?

Indeed. It was the plight of the real Continental Navy during the AWI : it could only function as privateers and as a nuisance to British shippings. Only intervention by the French navy could shift the balance somewhat against the Royal Navy.

[FM WarB]

The USA launched 13 frigates of 28-32 guns from American ports in 1776. They purchased abroad, borrowed frrom France or launched at home three in 1777, one in 1778 and two in 1779. (Hold onto you Admiral's hat) In 1782, the Americans launched tha America, a 74 gun Ship of the line.

The original 13 frigates were all out of action by 1780, but they did cause the Brits some headaches, and by then the French navy was active in American waters and providing some threat in the Channel.

[Offworlder]

Tnsx for the feedback! Actually the Bonhomme Richard was a converted merchantman, which enhances John Paul Jones' reputation in my eyes. What is very interesting is the makeup of the crew of the ship, which was rather heterogenous.

Some other questions, if I may...

So do the Americans have frigates in the AWI scenario? Haven't met them yet.

Considering how expensive the privateer option is, do players actually use it often?

Also where do I find the biggest concentration of British merchantmen? In which boxes are they found?

And partially related to the topic, how does one make a lot of EPs quickly in the AWI scenarios? I can barely use the options available to them. I even managed to corner and destroy the British northern army (though I lost a lot of militia in the process) and yet I gained something like 4 EPs. So if anyone can be so kind to enlighten me?

tnx in advance

[FM WarB]

Also where do I find the biggest concentration of British merchantmen? In which boxes are they found?
tnx in advance

Off the coast of Britain! Actally this is where American privateers did alot of damage as the Brits had sent most of their frigates and smaller to America, early on.

[lodilefty]

Off the coast of Britain! Actally this is where American privateers did alot of damage as the Brits had sent most of their frigates and smaller to America, early on.

Historically true!

However, in game terms: maybe the Shipping Lanes OMB's would be a good place too search....

[dooya]

<Danger> Beware of stupid questions </Danger>

I was just asked: What to do with merchantships in order to create EP? Do I need to send them to specific habors, or do I just need to place them in a Off-Map box?

<Step off> Stupid questions have been asked; nothing to see anymore </Step off>

[lodilefty]

<Danger> Beware of stupid questions </Danger>

I was just asked: What to do with merchantships in order to create EP? Do I need to send them to specific habors, or do I just need to place them in a Off-Map box?

<Step off> Stupid questions have been asked; nothing to see anymore </Step off>

I was always told: "There are no stupid questions, except the ones not asked".

AFAIK - they must be in Shipping Lanes OMB to earn EP.
Otherwise, they are just targets.....

[Primasprit]

AFAIK - they must be in Shipping Lanes OMB to earn EP.

Yes

[GlobalExplorer]

Already in ACW I never really knew what to do with my ships .. though I am getting better. In WiA I use ships mainly as express transports up the Hudson and in the Chesapeake Bay ..

What's the use of naval supplies btw, so far I have no use for the ones that appear in Philadelphia.

[lodilefty]

Already in ACW I never really knew what to do with my ships .. though I am getting better. In WiA I use ships mainly as express transports up the Hudson and in the Chesapeake Bay ..

What's the use of naval supplies btw, so far I have no use for the ones that appear in Philadelphia.

Hmmm, maybe they add further value to first time capture of the Capital?
...and more supply for the garrison?

[GShock]

Use them to do the blockade directly on port and u will cause serious damage to the other side. Check blockade factors in each zone adjacent to the port and see how many elements you need. Once u blockade it, that port will produce no supplies.

[lodilefty]

Use them to do the blockade directly on port and u will cause serious damage to the other side. Check blockade factors in each zone adjacent to the port and see how many elements you need. Once u blockade it, that port will produce no supplies.

Are you sure? This is a slightly different engine than AACW...

[GShock]

The manual says so.

(9.10)

[lodilefty]

The manual says so.

(9.10)

Time for a test, methinks....

[lodilefty]

Use them to do the blockade directly on port and u will cause serious damage to the other side. Check blockade factors in each zone adjacent to the port and see how many elements you need. Once u blockade it, that port will produce no supplies.

Sort of correct.

As in attached screen shots, the supplies are blocked only if the port is also besieged by land forces.

This makes sense, as supplies are neither 'transported elsewhere' nor accumulated in WiA....

Aren't tests and facts wonderful?

[Pocus]

the part from the port should be removed in the first case

[FM WarB]

What type of ships do the Brits get to play with in American waters in the first three Years? Hopefully not alot of SOL as in BoA...The big boys were in home waters/port.

[lodilefty]

The USA launched 13 frigates of 28-32 guns from American ports in 1776. They purchased abroad, borrowed frrom France or launched at home three in 1777, one in 1778 and two in 1779. (Hold onto you Admiral's hat) In 1782, the Americans launched tha America, a 74 gun Ship of the line.

The original 13 frigates were all out of action by 1780, but they did cause the Brits some headaches, and by then the French navy was active in American waters and providing some threat in the Channel.

Sorry for slow reply!

In the game now as US Frigates:
Bonhomme Richard
Alliance
Confederacy
Hancock
Warren
Randolph
Wasp
Viriginia
Morris

[FM WarB]

Sorry for slow reply!

In the game now as US Frigates:
Bonhomme Richard
Alliance
Confederacy
Hancock
Warren
Randolph
Wasp
Viriginia
Morris

Can the Americans build more, or is that the limit? This is 10 less frigates than the Americans historically built.

Is there any ship building capability?...Lets say Arnold wants to build a Lake Champlain fleet at Skeensboro....(The need for this presumes that the Brits can get ships and bateaux to Lake Champlain for movement/supply transport.)

[lodilefty]

Can the Americans build more, or is that the limit? This is 10 less frigates than the Americans historically built.

Is there any ship building capability?...Lets say Arnold wants to build a Lake Champlain fleet at Skeensboro....(The need for this presumes that the Brits can get ships and bateaux to Lake Champlain for movement/supply transport.)

Not yet.

[Pocus]

This is handled by Engagements points. I can't tell you about the specific of building a fleet on Lake Champlain (but the option can be done if really missing), but I know you can commission new frigates yes. The system is so powerful that you can adapt it to almost anything and a new option can be done in 15 mn by someone having scripting knowledge.