Campaign Target Bomber Factors

[bartbert]

We have been testing a new feature in the upcoming Midway campaign that has unintentionally spilled over into the other campaigns. So we'll go ahead and announce it as a new feature now.

Every target now has a "Bomber Factor" for Light, Medium, and Heavy bombers. This factor gets multiplied by the bomber's bomb points to arrive at the final bomb points.

For example, a heavy cruiser target has a Light Bomber factor of 1.50x, a Medium Bomber factor of .50x, and a Heavy Bomber factor of .20x. The target is a 3/5, so it normally requires 3 points to damage, and 5 points to destroy.

If an element of Light Bombers were to attack such a target, their bomb points would be multiplied by 1.50. So each undamaged bomber would be worth 2 x 1.5 = 3 bomb points.

An element of Heavy Bombers attacking that same target would have their bomb points multiplied by .20. So each undamaged bomber would be worth 6 x .20 = 1.2 bomb points.

The bomb factors show up on the campaign map above the target icon, so you can readily see them. Hopefully, this will make the campaigns a little more "realistic", and give players something else to consider when assigning aircraft to regions.

Hopefully, this "hidden" change didn't screw up too many campaigns for you guys. I'm aware of at least one Singapore tournament game that this played a part in changing the outcome. We were so focused on testing the Midway campaign that we forgot that it might affect other campaigns. Ooops! Sorry guys!

[Guest Mike]

So shipping will be more vulnerable to light bombers, and industry to the heavies?

Looks like a good idea, and will provide a bit more incentive for logical targeting!

Edit: Looking at the map of hte UK in hte BoB campaign - yuo might want to shift where the figures are put - the border between London & Edinburgh obscures part of the statistic.

Perhaps put a key for each potential target type on the web page rather than have it on the map?

I'd have thought that light bombers might get a disadvantage vs non-shipping targets?

[bartbert]

I'll see if I can shift things around a bit on the BoB map. London is kind of cramped.

I thought about putting some kind of target-vs-bomber table on the web page, but it seemed like putting it on the map would be easier for players to figure out how to assign their aircraft.

From what Dan told me, he thought that for the most part the bomber's bomb points capture most of the effect he was after. For example, given a bomber muliplier of 1.0, a Light Bomber element can only do a maximum of 4 bomb points while a Heavy Bomber element can do 12 points. So if you're going after a big target, a Heavy Bomber will be the logical choice.

What we're trying to capture with the bomber multipliers is to show those situations where a bomber was particularly effective, or particularly ineffective at attacking a target.

B-17's were present at Midway, but I don't think they did any damage. Yet a handful of dive bombers were able to wreak havoc.

[Guest Mike]

Yep - I get that especially vs ships - accuracy was much more important than bomb load.

sometimes even Heavy bombers dont' get anough points on targets to do any damage already - I've only seen them get a modifier of 1 max so far on any map - often .75 vs targets like 2/5 factories or 2/6 transport, which means they'll often be considerably less effective than they were.

[Sixxkiller]

Well Stalin, what it also means is you will need to protect them. Remember 6 points per bomber is max against certain targets. So in campaigns now for some targets you will HAVE to send fighter escort and successfully defend them in order to win the turn.

But Midway also has some nice surprises and a certain feel thats different than the other campaigns. Daylight 44 is still the best campaign thats been completed so far, but soon that may be different.

-Ray

[Guest Mike]

You have to protect them anyway - well I do at least!! :eek:

You get 2 fighters against possibly 4 interceptors this doesn't help!

What is it that's actually broken that needs the heavies to be toned back a bit?

I can see the case for lights & Heavies vs shipping, but I don't see the Allies always winning 1944 'cos their heavy bombers are too strong - or the US always winning Solomons because of the B-17.

I'm not sure I see any need for mediums to be toned down vs shipping either - skip bombing, massed .50 cal's and 57-75mm cannon were all used by B25's & similar sized a/c to some effect :eek:

[Sixxkiller]

A better way to do it may be a color key. Just have 3 colors on the map segment and a key in the unused portion of the web page. Then no problem with sight problems.

-Ray