A few more questions

[George40]

1. What is the frontage for pre-war forts? I am trying to figure out how to garrison the ones I would like to hold on to?

2. Is there a limit to the return on transports in the shipping lanes for the Union. Flooding it with transports did not make much difference it any difference. I am also patrolling for riaders. If there is a cap, does anyone have an idea of where the max effective level is?

3. Do you guys find it useful/cost effective to invest in industrialization. I have been struggling in my second try at the game, but think I may have hamstrung myself on WS by investing in industrialization in MO, WI, NY, and PA. It doesn't seem the return is that good and the cost is quite high. Do "vetrans" simply ignore investing in industrialization? Does this play out differently for the CSA (trying them next)?

Thanks for any help you care to offer.
George
(still loving ACW)

[johnnycai]

1. What is the frontage for pre-war forts? I am trying to figure out how to garrison the ones I would like to hold on to?

2. Is there a limit to the return on transports in the shipping lanes for the Union. Flooding it with transports did not make much difference it any difference. I am also patrolling for riaders. If there is a cap, does anyone have an idea of where the max effective level is?

3. Do you guys find it useful/cost effective to invest in industrialization. I have been struggling in my second try at the game, but think I may have hamstrung myself on WS by investing in industrialization in MO, WI, NY, and PA. It doesn't seem the return is that good and the cost is quite high. Do "vetrans" simply ignore investing in industrialization? Does this play out differently for the CSA (trying them next)?

Thanks for any help you care to offer.
George
(still loving ACW)

Hello,

1) Sorry dont know. Has to be similar, if not more restrictive, than forest/mountain terrain limitations.
2) Yes, there is diminishing returns once you have 10 or more transports in the shipping box. I usually get to 35-40 $$/WS (unopposed by reb raiders) and then I dont bother with more transports based on poor returns. Remember that transports in the shipping box also provide the supply to your coastal towns, especially important once you have CSA towns/cities you have liberated that have harbours in coastal waters.
3) So far I have found investing as the North to be unnecessary, but I have invested heavily in newly acquired southern regions when facing supply issues and unable to reconnect to supply sources.

Hope this helps.

[Jabberwock]

It doesn't seem the return is that good and the cost is quite high. Do "vetrans" simply ignore investing in industrialization? Does this play out differently for the CSA (trying them next)?

Thanks for any help you care to offer.
George
(still loving ACW)

The return is actually excellent, but a surplus is a surplus, no matter how big. Massive investment will hamstring the north temporarily, but can be made up rather quickly.

As the CSA, I find both brigs and investment are necessary. Brigs provide early WS, and later $, which is converted into manpower by using it for bounties. This is supported by a growing return from industrialization for WS. Putting that many resources into economics means that the CSA will have issues if it tries to seriously go on the offensive (attacking large entrenched forces) before mid '62, but raiders can make up the difference in the meantime, and from late '62 on it's usually a steamroller. But that's me. Your mileage may vary.

[George40]

The return is actually excellent, but a surplus is a surplus, no matter how big. Massive investment will hamstring the north temporarily, but can be made up rather quickly.

Thanks for the input guys. My concern re the union investment in industrialization wasn't so much for supply, which I seem to be fine on, but on getting a good return to produce more war supplies.

Hopefully someone in the know on frontage and forts will wander bye. Thanks again.

[Jabberwock]

My comment on return was in regards to WS. No matter what you units buy, you should have a surplus of WS as the north by '62, unless you spend it all on investment and transport. I don't think anyone worries about general supply as the north on a strategic level, only in conquered/re-occupied areas on an operational level. That is, until my raiders have completely taken out their transportation network.

Hope you find an answer to the frontage question. I'd like to know, too.

[Spruce]

In the early patches it seemed a no brainer as it could even bring the CSA to be sulf-sufficient with a few successfull industrial upgrades early games.

In the later patches it seems less clear to invest yes or no - and basicly luck seems to be a more important factor now. That means - as CSA you can't keep on investing into the bottomless pit.

A more balanced approach with both brigs and industrialisation seems more reasonable as it spreads the risks.

[Brochgale]

In the early patches it seemed a no brainer as it could even bring the CSA to be sulf-sufficient with a few successfull industrial upgrades early games.

In the later patches it seems less clear to invest yes or no - and basicly luck seems to be a more important factor now. That means - as CSA you can't keep on investing into the bottomless pit.

A more balanced approach with both brigs and industrialisation seems more reasonable as it spreads the risks.

I only now invest in industry when I run low on conscript points. Otherwise I use cash for reinforcemnets and replacements. In my latest game Yanks have been sinking my runners with some success.