convoys

[Tomas1931]

As civ 5 does not allow more than 1 unit per hex ,convoying becomes very tedious
Land units convert to transport ships and the war ships such as Tiremes frigates etc have more movement.
If one is not carefull the enemy can slip benind the war ship and destroy the transports
This is tedious if one is trying a massive amphibious landing.

[Jaybe]

It doesn't HAVE to be tedious, but then you risk some losses. You aren't going to lose more than 1 transport per raiding ship at any rate. If they stomp on one (melee style) they can't attack or bombard any more that turn. You aren't going to be having that many massive landings, and occasionally taking some care (that 'tedious' business) won't do you any harm.

Exploit(?) Alert: Lead your convoy several hexes (or turns) with a couple cheap units along with a loose escort of 2-4 ships, allowing access to your transports. Supposedly the enemy will stomp on the transports and then you overpower them, clearing the way for your real convoy.

[Orange46]

Its hard to overpower naval units, even when you have better ships. It takes at least 3 shots for a destroyer to kill a frigate (or whatever wooden ship I was attacking), so if you're attacked by a pack of ships, they could do a lot of damage. Fortunately, the AI doesn't seem to think that way and my only losses came from barbarians seeking out single unescorted transports.

I actually have enjoyed running around my convoys with escort ships, but eventually this might get old.

[Hermann the Lombard]

I hope they patch to permit close escort, but that may be tricky since you would also want stacking with civilian units and generals.

[Jaybe]

Its hard to overpower naval units, even when you have better ships. It takes at least 3 shots for a destroyer to kill a frigate (or whatever wooden ship I was attacking), so if you're attacked by a pack of ships, they could do a lot of damage.

Yeah, goes to show how much heavy naval combat I've experienced. How about using a submarine or battleship, though? Their increased ranged-strength accompanied by a destroyer ...

[jnh140]

Oh well, its no worse than my transport full of 8 howitzers getting cruise-missiled while at sea.

Actually, its better.

[Ijuin]

Thankfully Caravels and Destroyers have an expanded sight radius, which means that your escort ships (if positioned to surround your embarked units in a diamond formation, for example) will be able to see enemies while they are still one turn away and intercept them.

[Ming]

I find it best to use a solid single line of units... there usually isn't a need for a diamond formation, or the need to totally surround your units.
A simple line between you and your enemy is usually enough to protect all your ships... as long as you have good sight radius.

[frenzyfol]

I believe that zone of control should extend to the firing radius of your ships. This would make protecting convoys easier.

[Ijuin]

Well the diamond formation was for in the event that you have no idea which direction the enemy might approach from. If you have reason to feel certain that the enemy will not approach from a given direction, then there is probably no need to cover that side.

[Hermann the Lombard]

Oh well, its no worse than my transport full of 8 howitzers getting cruise-missiled while at sea.

Actually, its better.

That reminds me of MV Atlantic Conveyor, sunk off the Falklands with pretty much all of the helicopters intended to support the British forces attempting to retake the islands. Many eggs in one basket (they didn't have many baskets).

[Beatie]

You should send a few ship that you create that have one purpose: Scouting! If you build it, and you make sure they have better sights and put them all around the convoy, and you have other strong naval ships you should be able to deffend your convoy I think. But I never have a massive amphibious assault yet.. just smaller convoy's that are more easy to deffend.