Turn 243: 1265 AD

[Theseus]

Originally posted by Aeson


They still only need to blockade 2 tiles. We have 5 movement. It's 4 movement from NC to Sand. To load Marines and preserve their attack we have to move into the city, 4 movement left. We can't go around a "partial" blockade.

I am proposing not landing the Marines at Q77, but rather leaving them onboard the fleet at Q774.

I am preparing a summary post.

[Theseus]

Originally posted by DeepO
Correction: You don't need chainers to reach Q77, the chainer can get there directly.

Which leads to the following: if we either forget about attacking the 3/5 BB, or if we risk the chainer for 4 tiles in the sea-of-subs without escort, we can reach Q477. Which means we don't have to disband units to make room for our 6 MI and 2 settlers, we can put 8 marines overboard at Q77.

Those marines won't do much good, but at least their deaths can be a distraction to Lego. Otherwise, we simply need to disband them ourselves, without the possibility a Lego unit will die.

The risk: losing our chainer, full of 6 MI and 2 S. Or, leaving the 3/5 BB in reach of our Hub 2 for next turn.

BTW, we should build a TR in Hurricane... there is a possibility the chain will survive, but we're out of TRs.

DeepO

Sorry, but I don;t see the second Settler for this at home??

[DeepO]

Are you looking at the save? We built one during build phase. We've got 2 of them at home, and both should get to Legoland this turn. Next turn, we could easily build another 2... might be a good idea, as it will create interesting tactical maneuvers.

DeepO

[Theseus]

I just hit enter during the build phase.

Summary coming up.

[Theseus]

OK, to make very very clear what I am proposing, at the end of this turn, we would have:

Landing force at Q77:
4 Mech Infantry
22 Infantry
68 Tanks
1 Settler
1 Explorer
(Total of 96 units)

Fleet at Q774:
6 Destroyers
2 Carriers
22 Transports
(15 empty)
47 Marines
4 Settlers
4 Workers
1 Explorer
(Total of 56 units)
2 Fighters

Hub Two:
2 Destroyers
1 Transport
(all from Hub One)

Hub One:
1 Destroyer
1 Transport
MechInfs and Settlers from home, not sure of the mix

[Maybe leave 1 Destroyer back at Hub One instead of Two, to travel with the transported units]

[Need another Transport from mainland]

[Sidenote: In terms of builds, let's remember the open capacity on the Carriers and hopefully soon-to-be-captured cities]

[Aeson]

I understand we can get unlucky attacking Lego's S DDs and have less cover for our S Transports. That said, there are other ways we can get unlucky while attacking Lego's S DDs will give us more cover.

Expected results from attacking give us more cover ships in relation to known and unknown threats than when not attacking. Poor results from attacking give us equal cover ships in relation to known and unknown threats.

Unknown threats are what Tipperary is building, possible build queue switch in Abilene (doubtful), and Lego Subs. When we don't attack, we are guaranteed to defend against all unknown threats with laden Transports. When we do attack, we expect to gain at least 1, probably 2, cover ships which can deal with unknown threats.

So pick where you want to try to avoid "bad luck". RNG or what we can't see.

I think killing Lego's ships is the kicker. We get good odds now, we won't get them again probably.

[Theseus]

Question for thought: If Lego, what would you do with your artillery, air force, and navy if faced with that threat?
____________

Amy is making me watch 'Law and Order' as a friend is acting in it tonight... back at 10pm EST!!

I shot a PM to Arrian to see if maybe he wanted to chime in.

BTW, I want to compliment DeepO (again )... it is amazing that we are where we are!!

[Aeson]

I don't see why doing this up N is any better than doing it down S. It brings the BB into play when they don't need to be, and puts our Marines in range of shore bombardment.

If Lego does what they should, we lose all our Marines and most of our Settlers.

Down S we are guaranteed (attacking or defending the DD's ) that most of our Marines and Settlers will survive. They can't blockade either of the cities either.

[DeepO]

Theseus, I have to agree with Aeson here. The odds seem better in the South to me. I'm not saying the North isn't possible, but it's a bit more dangerous and doesn't bring much new.

DeepO

[DeepO]

As to the DDs attacking or defending: I'm still not sure. Attacking would give us the initiative, though. That's certainly a plus...
What if we do the first one, see how it goes, do the next, and so forth?

But let's first decide on a proper invasion spot, and plan. Otherwise the discussion on whether to attack the DDs or not is unneeded. I surely vote for Abilene 77.

DeepO

[DeepO]

BTW, to add one more idea to the brainstorm: we could land the marines, infs, S, and MI somewhere, and keep the tanks on board. In that case, the marines will take the damage from Lego's attack, instead of tanks. However, we would have to land all our marines to be certain the settler will survive, so any marine threat is out of the question.

DeepO

[Aeson]

My opinion is Abilene 77 is better.

[Aeson]

Keeping the Tanks on ships is interesting.

[DeepO]

I'm afraid keeping the tanks on ships can only work when we're absolutely certain the ships won't sink. I don't think we can guarantee that, unless we bring all the transports together. And it means all marines on land, another disadvantage... a nice thought, perhaps, but not really workable.

DeepO

[DeepO]

Okay, one decision needs to be made: Either I'll start to play the turn right now, or we wait another 12h. It's 4.30 am, I don't have any problems keeping awake for a few hours to play the save. But if it's better to let others comment as well, I'll gladly wait until the morning. In any case, we should try to get this save played before tomorrow evening / night.

DeepO