German Navy

[BossGnome]

How do you use the german navy the most effectively? Do you just let it be in port all the time? Or do you try to sortie against the French and British? What about German raiders in the atlantic/the East Asia squadron?

[Paule3000]

I don't know wether it's the best or even a good option, but usually I have one battle group to intercept enemy raiders in the Baltic Shipping Box (obviously playing as CP), some small groups of destroyers, light cruisers and torpedo boats to intercept in the Atlantic Shipping Box and one big fleet stack to battle other big fleet stacks and to roam the seven seas. The remainder is left in Wilhelmshafen as reserves.

Don't know if it would be useful to have some interceptors in the Atlantic Shipping Box, though.

[Searry]

Don't use them unless you're absolutely sure you will win. They affect NM massively.

[Jim-NC]

I agree with Searry, use them only when your sure you'll win. I lost my game because of the 10 NM loss from a naval battle (the enemy gained 10, and that was the margin he needed to win).

[Merlin]

I'd suggest keeping the heavies (CA and up) together in Wilhelmsaven and a few scout cruisers on watch outside the Atlantic blockade box as well as the Baltic box. That way you can keep an eye on British and Russian cohesion and raiding. Choose your moment wisely, however. Coming up at the wrong moment can cost you a chance at the Atlantic blockade if going Baltic, or see you engage a massive blockading force in the Atlantic box.