While I’ve played enough games of the classic version I’ve only recently played the Pacific version. Certainly more naval action in the latter. A couple of questions had come up but were usually solved. One that came up that I never really noted from the classic was about use of transports as cannon fodder. In fleet attack situations, even without any intention of making an amphibious assault or even the presence of land forces in the fleet transports, it was always normal to move with a bunch of transports to take hits for more valuable items, whether attacking or defending. Recently, I had a small squadron attacked by 3 land-based fighters and 2 transports. No other naval units. Now while I can see an example in the Pacific rules of transports going into an attack situation with some destroyers, the example doesn’t happen to have any losses for the attacker, so whether they can be used as cannon fodder isn’t addressed, but it was considered as having been in combat so I can only assume it can be a casualty as I’ve always played. I always assumed they could be. But just moving unescorted transports into an enemy occupied zone seemed a bit wrong.
Any comments on this?
On another note I guess a few people have noted that the rules say it costs 4 for marines while the reference charts say 3. It clearly must be 4.
Transports are acceptable losses in naval battles, that came up a couple of days ago on this board.
As far as strategy of moving TRNs unescorted or taking or not taking them with you in a big naval battle that is highly sitiuational. First off TRNs still have no attack value so moving them into combat without escort is suicide. The US and Japan early on might have the luxury of moving TRNs unescorted. In the US case particularly from Hawii to New Britain and back. Usually your warships are in New Britain.
As far as just bringing them for fodder you don’t really have that luxury. Managing your logistics is a big part of Pacific. The US doesn’t have time to make attacks without assaulting the islands. You don’t have time to build and re-build and move across the ocean the TRNs you need to get those Marines (who do cost four, Marine and an ART are a great deal in Pacific IMO more punch less cost a 3 and a 2 vs a 3 and 1 for ARM, INF or 2,2 for INF, ART.)
You can use TRNs as fodder but you really won’t want to.
frimmel, Thanks for the comments and strategic considerations. My main concern was whether anyone thought that more or less “attacking” with transports in this manner as cannon fodder not for naval but for air force was acceptable within the rules. One can make whatever strat decisions he wants, smart or otherwise, but I was wondering if people thought this is/should be allowed or not? I get the impression it’s OK by your comments and that is the way we played it.
As for strategy I know the guy could have used those two transports he lost, plus one fighter, later in the fight. However, I also lost a battleship, destoyer and transport(?) which I would liked to have kept, but since I won the game and that sector then it certainly hurt him more than I.
You can use them for losses when attacking with air force, air force and navy or just navy. Page 14 of the out of box rules.
Yup, page 14. Looks good. Doesn’t specifically say it’s OK, but I guess if it doesn’t ban it then it must be OK. Less complications the better in any regard.
