HoI3 - Discussion

[Jon Miller]

The other thread says Demo + Manual

This is for Strategy!

So I mostly like to play major powers, like Italy or France or maybe someone like Canada is as far down as I want to go. As such there should be at least 6 researchers, if not more.

Also, I actually haven't gotten to 1939 in any of my games yet, I have just been learning about how to do things that aren't combat.

Peacetime Crucial Techs:
2 Industrial Techs
Supply Tech
Agricultural Tech (depending)
Educational Tech
3 Supply Tech - Theory

You should probably stop them when they get 'advanced'. I was reading that the Supply Tech gives Land Experience! I haven't actually used them in my game.

Doctrines + Weapons are of course dependent on the nation, but I am thinking that you will want at least to have a couple of techs going of both doctrine and weapon research in the prime areas of interest for you and at least one in doctrine and weapon research in the areas of lower interest. Probably some nations can mostly skip stuff (like Russia skipping naval?) though.

A lot of nations only have 8-16 researchers (that is with sticking to major powers), so probably you will have to deprioritize some things. And it would be nice to fit things like Radar and Secret tech in there too.

Apparently teching can help building and building can help teching?

I think some nations like Germany and US can research a large portion of the techs.

JM

[Jon Miller]

I have been doing some reading instead of working.

So a lot of people ask what Super Heavy Battleships are good for, since there aren't any upgrades you can learn for them and max upgraded Battleships are about the same sea strength.

Well, the shore bombardment doesn't get such a boost, and so the Super Heavy Battleship is worth like 3x normal Battleships for shore bombardments. I don't know how important having capital ships are, but if you are Japan and decide that you have more IC and time and don't want to spend time researching Battleship tech and want the Battleships mainly for a bit of capital support and shore bombardment, then it might be worthwhile to build a few super heavy battleships.

They take like 3 years to build though. Normal battleships take about 1.5.

JM

[Jon Miller]

Well, since I am spamming this thread... with the hotfix I have started playing.

I will need to stop soon, so that I can work/sleep/do other needed stuff (Exercise/Clean).

I picked up Japan, I am not sure if I am maybe focusing too much on Navy, apparently people have a difficult time destroying an opponents Navy unless they are very strong.

I am preparing for a Chinese Campaign.

My current plan is to focus on Inf, with using some Light Armor and TD to provide my anti-tank and combined arms needs. These are only two units, and actually I can do 2 of the 6 TD techs with just the techs I have available now. Sure my TDs won't be as tough, fast, or armored... but fast doesn't matter and while armor is important I think I will be fine with the Hard Attack that they will give.

JM

[Jon Miller]

So I am not very sure about this game. I started a SH BB because I don't plan to tech BB or BC and so the SH BB will be much stronger than any of the BB I will field. Not sure if this is wise.

At least initially I am going to build some Escort Carriers. The plan will be Escort Carriers, Destroyers, and Cruisers for the little stuff and transports. I will go to building Carriers after my practical is up and I have teched carriers a bit more.

The Capital ships, regular Carriers, and Cruisers + Destroyers for the Big Massive Fleet. As you could see I only had 6? or so capital ships right now, and am only going to build one more before '39. I will rely upon the cruisers and carriers for the firepower.

I don't really know what all upgrades my CAGs though, I will try nav airplane tech, but that might be just for the nav bomber.

I was actually wrong, I think the only tech I plan on upping is the Gun for the TD. Still might be worth it as a couple TD brigades can put me into the 'combined arms' area and I will get bonuses. My defense on them will be really weak though (and toughness, movement). The Light Armor tech only enabled them, they actually get their armor from the medium and heavy armor techs.

By the way, since a lot of upgrades have negatives as well as positives, I should be able to sometimes decide whether to outfit a specific brigade one way or not. But maybe this game already has too much detail.

Currently, the biggest deal I am facing is to get enough raw materials to continue production. I don't make much money because I am in a war economy... so that is an issue in addition to the rare metals and energy. I am actually fine for fuel... at least right now. But I don't trust it and want large stockpiles.

The USSR and USA are my two main trading partners. I am happy for that.

I want jet planes, so I am putting a bit of effort into rocketry. Hopefully it will pay off. There is all sorts of exciting possibilities like Rocket Interceptors, Flying Bombs, Guided Missiles, and Jet Engines. I hope that I can get my CAGs to have Jet Engines.

One final thing that I am unsure of, is whether Transport airplanes can move supplies. It will be difficult to supply everyone... and if transport airplanes can carry supplies then they might be worth it to build a number. Otherwise, I will just want the ones needed for the paratroops I plan to make.

I don't have marines or mountain troops yet, but will soon. I will make a number of divisions of marines. Mountain troops might be good for the continent too.

JM

[Nikolai]

[action=Nikolai]wants money for this game NOW.[/action]

[Jon Miller]

It isn't clear from the picture, but I am preparing to invade china.

On the border I have 4 armies in the expeditionary group, plus an additional army in the theater (you can only have 5 armies in a group) totaling 13 or so divisions. In reserve (you can see one division in the upper left side) there is another army of 5 divisions. Most of these are infantry, but 3 or so are calvary. I had to leave the russian front virtually undefended.. I hope that they recognize my value as a trading partner.

In Taiwan and Japan I have a further three armies I am preparing under the Imperial HQ. Currently, these are 7 divisions, but I am currently producing to reinforce them. These divisions include more exotic brigade types like engineers, artillery, and motorized infantry. Also, currently we are building two armored divisions (they are still mostly motorized) to provide some heavy impact on the continent.

JM

[Garth Vader]

You aren't spamming the thread. I am interested in how the game is, and this is at least easier to follow than threads at the Paradox forums.

[Nikolai]

13 divisions for invading the whole of China? That's much less than in HoI2, isn't it?

[Jon Miller]

I didn't succeed in HoI2.

I have a total of 13 on the border with that nation + 5 in reserve, and plan to wait until I have at least 10? in Japan and Taiwan to invade Shanghai or the other port in Nationalist China. That force will include some nice 1918 style light tanks too.

By the way, that is pretty much all of my 'not garrison' force.

JM

[Sava]

I got this game but have not played it yet. I was reading the Paradox forums and apparently the game is slow (6 hours to play 1 year on the highest speed), buggy (some consumer goods issue), and full of all sorts weird problems like Mexico invading Germany.

Honestly, I read all of this and lost all interest in the game haha.

I'll give it a try. Hopefully it won't be too buggy. I got it from GamersGate, so I don't know if I can get any hotfixes. I think I need to wait until they release 1.2, which might be next week?

We'll see.

[Jon Miller]

It was sped up in both the 1.1 patch and the hotfix. Anyone can apply the hotfix, even Steam.

It can be further sped up with some mods.

For me it is still a little slow, but I admit that I allow it to be so I can follow what is going on. However, it still is like 2-3 hours for a year.

Mexico invading Germany is due to diplomacy and military AIs needing some work. I have generally found the paraadox games too complicated for their AI so I assume the same will be true here. It doesn't happen every time.

The CG bug is fixed with the hotfix. I don't think you would be wrong to wait 1-2 weeks for the 1.2 patch and have a better game then.

JM

[Nikolai]

The hotfix should do much. There is a 1.2 coming in 1-2 weeks, which will focus on optimalization mainly.

[Sava]

I'll try it and see whats up

[Nikolai]

1.2 roadmap out:

The goal is to have it released in late august, but may be first week of september.

Our goals includes.

- New autocontrols for sliders and trade agreements.
- Severe performance improvement.
- New mapmode for simplified terrain. (hoi2 style)
- Day&Night indications
- Cancellation of orders
- Revised Technology Setup for all scenarios.
- Improved Invasion & Theatre AI.

& of course, fixing reported bugs.

[Nikolai]

Bought the game 5 min ago. DLing from GG with disastrously low speed now. Looking SO forward to it.