Naval Battles - Whats in your Fleet?

[ManKinD]

Guys, as from past threads that i have posted - I have stated that I auto-resolve naval battles - but I still put a bit of care in the units that I put in my fleet - does it matter - how do you work out what to put in your build stack - playing the 13Provinces at moment and only allowed to have ten vessels in the fleet - so where do I start - obviously an admiral - and Im talking full technology what do you go for heavy slow or fast - The reason I ask is that i want to learn more about naval battles and dont know much of the history and methodology behind the strategy of the era.

[Fishy]

Guys, as from past threads that i have posted - I have stated that I auto-resolve naval battles - but I still put a bit of care in the units that I put in my fleet - does it matter - how do you work out what to put in your build stack - playing the 13Provinces at moment and only allowed to have ten vessels in the fleet - so where do I start - obviously an admiral - and Im talking full technology what do you go for heavy slow or fast - The reason I ask is that i want to learn more about naval battles and dont know much of the history and methodology behind the strategy of the era.

Historically I'd say one ship of the line an admirals ship combined with other smaller ships of all kinds. Gamewise speaking just fill your fleet with the strongest ships you have. At least that way if you auto resolve you'll win (assuming your enemy doesn't have the same or a better fleet)

[Yourrival]

i'm going for the pretty n00bish approach: 10 heavy 1st rates

but i'm guessing historically (i'm no expert ) an admiral 1st, then 2-3 seconds, afew 3rd-4th's and 3-4 6th's.. i'm not certain whether there should be brigs and sloops in it...

[Mr Tom]

I organise my fleets into squadrons, usually its about this per Squadron mainly because aside form the Danish who just wander aimlessly I have no rivals as the French are my allies and the Marathas are at peace with me.


Anyway behold in laughter:-
1- 3rd Rate
4- 4th Rates


I quite often have Brigs as delivery ships and they sort of just drop of troops to places very handy.

[Morrpheous]

I had a squadron of 6 3rd rates (1 admiral's) and 4 mortar ketch's blocking the Gibraltar straight but the Spaniards refused to attack and i didn't want to uncork the med so I haven't seen how effective it is.

[upsettingshorts]

Depends on how much cash I'm rolling in, but as Great Britain after conquering India (as in, I have $Texas money):

Atlantic Fleet:
(1) Heavy First Rate ship of the line*
(1) Admiral's First Rate ship of the line*
(1) Second Rate ship of the line
(6+) Third Rate ship of the line
(1) Sixth Rate frigate

Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean fleets:
(2) Admiral's First Rate ship of the line**
(1) Second Rate ship of the line
(6+) Third Rate ship of the line
(1) Sixth Rate frigate

Caribbean Sea Fleet:
(1) Second Rate ship of the line*
(3+) Third Rate ships of the line
(3+) Fifth rate frigates
(2) Sixth rate frigates
(1) Sloop

Brazilian coast, Ivory Coast, Strait of Madagascar, and East Indies fleets:
(1) Admiral's Third Rate ship of the line*
(1) Fourth Rate ship of the line
(3) Fifth Rate frigates
(3) Sixth Rate frigates
(1) Sloop

*Indicates Admiral present

Note: The Indian Ocean fleet was likely overkill as the native Indians just build small vessels, so copying over the Caribbean fleet layout to that theater would probably have been more cost-effective. Or even one of the trade-theater layouts.

[Abel12512]

playing the 13Provinces at moment and only allowed to have ten vessels in the fleet

So that's why I can't make a fleet of more than 14 ships in my campaign as Prussia...
Why can I have 20 ships in custom battle, but not in campaign!?

In my Prussia campaign I only have 2 fleets:

1 trade fleet consisting of 4 heavy first rates and 10 indiamen (don't remember exact number). I am in 1757 or something, but I have concentrated on taking over Europe, and not in trade.
1 fleet for transporting armies, filled with a couple of second rates, rocket ships and bomb ketches.

[ManKinD]

[quote=Abel12512;4994474]So that's why I can't make a fleet of more than 14 ships in my campaign as Prussia...
Why can I have 20 ships in custom battle, but not in campaign!?

[quote]

Yes I found that interesting, as the US, i Think it was 14/15 vessels in their fleet - it must be different for each faction - Does anybody know the answer and if so, what is the allowable vessels in each fleet for each faction? Does any faction have an advantage with numbers - if it was the case I think the Ottomans would be the ones due to their lack of naval tech at time (havent played them yet)

To All - Thanks for the the feedback guys very useful information - Cheers

[Pfundner]

playing imperial splendour big fat ass heavy ships become distinctly irritating to use. so i have a real balance, 6th rates are wonderful

[Prof]

4 Heavy first rates per fleet

[Thanatos]

Thread moved to Gameplay and Strategy Discussion.

[nimoto]

In Imperial Splendor for my main navies I typically use 6x 3rd rates (1 admiral), and 3x 5th rates.

[zdavid998]

the amount of ships per fleet is dependent on your units scaling settings. I think to be able to have 20 ships you need to put the scaling up to huge.

[ManKinD]

the amount of ships per fleet is dependent on your units scaling settings. I think to be able to have 20 ships you need to put the scaling up to huge.

That make sense great - great first post +rep

[Nastyvale]

I tend to separate fleets in distinct squadrons:

1. Heavy Squadron:

3xheaviest available ship that I can recruit at the time of building a fleet. They are used as the 'anvil'. In other words, forcing the enemy to come under direct fire from these vessels by herding them in with the Light and Medium squadrons (see below). Usually positioned at the middle.

2. Light Squadron:

3x5th or 6th Rates. Their purpose is to force the enemy fleet to come within range of the Heavy squadron by outmanoevering their vessels. Although capable of exchanging a salvo or two this squadron is not heavily involved in combat, as their purpose is to block the enemy fleet. In early fleets this is comprised of Brigs. In mid-late fleet it changes to 4th/5th/6th rates.

3. Medium Squadron:

3x4th Rates and/or Carronade frigates aka 'the hammer'. These are the real killers. Depending on enemy fleet composition I send them to cut the enemy line and fire from both sides. Should the opposing vessels come in contact with the Heavy squadron this squadron comes close and aids in the pounding. Usually the medium squadrons get the most experience out of all vessels in my fleets. In late game comprised by 3rd rates while Heavy squadrons are 1st/Heavy 1st rates. Sometimes a bomb ketch or two are added to the mix.

Of course there are special purpose fleets such as trade route raiders with 4-5 Brigs since they seem to yield the most income when raiding trade routes. Add to that the trade ship hunting fleet with 4-5 4th rates and there you have it.

When playing the Ottomans/Marathas it's just a matter of endless light galley/galley stacks.

[Abel12512]

the amount of ships per fleet is dependent on your units scaling settings. I think to be able to have 20 ships you need to put the scaling up to huge.

Thanks for the answer + rep. I did put everything on ultra settings, but not huge unit size (apperently).

[BSGfan]

Homewaters
1admiral 1st rate
2 2nd rates
9 3rd rates

later in the games when finances allow i might build a second fleet just because i can

overseas colonies
1admirals 3rd rate
3 rd rates
8 4th rates

i might change the 4th rates into 3rd rates when finances allows for it

Cruiser fleet
1 admirals 5th rate
11 5th rates

Later i might swap 4 of them into carronade frigates.
this fleet is for cleaning up the tradelanes and trading nodes from undesirables

Usually have a few sloops in reserve to ferry gentlemen , rakes fand priets rom place to place

[caralampio]

Historically, battle fleets would have mostly ships of the line (rate 1-4) with a smattering of frigates (rate 5-6). Brigs, sloops etc. would not accompany the battle ships, but act alone or in their own small fleets in rivers, lakes, coasts, etc. 3rd rate was the most common battle horse, you could even find fleets made entirely of them. Heavies (1st and 2nd) were few, usually only one or two in a fleet if any.

[Vara Del Rey]

From what I have experienced so far, the Heavier the better. The AI may be handicapped in other areas, but when it comes to naval battles it is not.