Sieges and blockades

[Linstock]

How big an effect does blockading a port city have on making that city surrender during a siege?

[Durk]

Well, many would say it is why the blockaded city surrenders.
Critical.

[Captain_Orso]

Well, not directly. If a location with a harbor is besieged, it can still receive supplies through the harbor. Because of this there is a lesser chance of the force inside the location surrendering.

If supply through the harbor is also blocked then it is the same as a location without a harbor being besieged.

To block supply IIRC you need 2 naval combat elements blocking the harbor exit point(s).

Theoretically you can block supply at any distance, but you will have to block ALL supply paths for it to have any affect. Think of it like a colander. The closer you block to the besieged location the less holes you have to block in the colander, but if you miss any, the water (supply) will find its way through the open hole(s).

Blockading has an economic impact in that it reduces the production of a blockaded location by 50%. That's also why you need on the average of 8 naval combat elements to blockade a harbor. This is modified by the friendly and enemy artillery which can fire into the exit point(s) of a harbor.

[Linstock]

Well, not directly. If a location with a harbor is besieged, it can still receive supplies through the harbor. Because of this there is a lesser chance of the force inside the location surrendering.

If supply through the harbor is also blocked then it is the same as a location without a harbor being besieged.

To block supply IIRC you need 2 naval combat elements blocking the harbor exit point(s).

Theoretically you can block supply at any distance, but you will have to block ALL supply paths for it to have any affect. Think of it like a colander. The closer you block to the besieged location the less holes you have to block in the colander, but if you miss any, the water (supply) will find its way through the open hole(s).

Blockading has an economic impact in that it reduces the production of a blockaded location by 50%. That's also why you need on the average of 8 naval combat elements to blockade a harbor. This is modified by the friendly and enemy artillery which can fire into the exit point(s) of a harbor.

Thanks, Captain Orso. I just finished a stint playing Wars in America, so my appreciation of how sieges work in AAACW is a bit off. The example that inspired me to ask the question involves a siege of Baltimore. I originally thought that if I had a large enough force besieging (the enemy is in the structure obviously) while fully blockading the port (I have some ten elements, getting the city the blockade icon) then I would have a critical effect on the besieged force's supply and weaken it over time. But in AACW, is that really the case? Something tells me that he can get huge amounts of supply just from Baltimore. Anyway, I guess I'm a little confused about this.

EDIT: I forgot to mention: In this case, I'm the Union besieging a Rebel army that managed to take Baltimore.

[charlesonmission]

I think Baltimore should be producing zero supply now. However, they probably captured a large amount of supply and they are now using that. That is my guess.

[Captain_Orso]

Siege depends mainly on the artillery combat factors of the defender and the besieger. With enough artillery you could hold off a siege indefinitely, if you are getting supply. Check Manual:Siege combat. Also look at page 3 of the Update file for changes to Siege Combat and the new Overcrowding Rule.

How much supply Baltimore produces for the South depends on the CS loyalties in the region more than anything. IIRC a region in which, for example, the South has nearly no loyalty, production will be about 1/3 lower if the South captures that region. But Baltimore starts with relatively high CS loyalty -- over 60% IIRC -- so production might just climb when the South captures it compared to what the Union was producing.

If you blockade the harbor that production will be halved, plus no supplies will be able to get in if your control over the surrounding land regions is high enough to block supply. This will enhance your chance on forcing the defenders to surrender.

My suggestions:

• Blockade the harbor
• Control all the land regions around Baltimore
• Put as much artillery on top of Baltimore as you can spare
• Keep track of the strength of the enemy force in Baltimore
  
  • If you have breached their defenses
  • And their strength is starting to wane
  • And you have at least 2-1 odds in strength (3-1 is more reasonable) -- be sure to have a good leader with a good Offensive rating in charge
    
    • Assault
• Otherwise wait for them to surrender

[Ethan]

How much supply Baltimore produces for the South depends on the CS loyalties in the region more than anything. IIRC a region in which, for example, the South has nearly no loyalty, production will be about 1/3 lower if the South captures that region. But Baltimore starts with relatively high CS loyalty -- over 60% IIRC -- so production might just climb when the South captures it compared to what the Union was producing.

The truth is that you will never cease to surprise me. Really. You're great, Thommy.


PS: Your suggestions aren't bad either.

[Captain_Orso]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I like training up good opponents

[Linstock]

Siege depends mainly on the artillery combat factors of the defender and the besieger. With enough artillery you could hold off a siege indefinitely, if you are getting supply. Check Manual:Siege combat. Also look at page 3 of the Update file for changes to Siege Combat and the new Overcrowding Rule.

How much supply Baltimore produces for the South depends on the CS loyalties in the region more than anything. IIRC a region in which, for example, the South has nearly no loyalty, production will be about 1/3 lower if the South captures that region. But Baltimore starts with relatively high CS loyalty -- over 60% IIRC -- so production might just climb when the South captures it compared to what the Union was producing.

If you blockade the harbor that production will be halved, plus no supplies will be able to get in if your control over the surrounding land regions is high enough to block supply. This will enhance your chance on forcing the defenders to surrender.

My suggestions:

• Blockade the harbor
• Control all the land regions around Baltimore
• Put as much artillery on top of Baltimore as you can spare
• Keep track of the strength of the enemy force in Baltimore
  
  • If you have breached their defenses
  • And their strength is starting to wane
  • And you have at least 2-1 odds in strength (3-1 is more reasonable) -- be sure to have a good leader with a good Offensive rating in charge
    
    • Assault
• Otherwise wait for them to surrender

Cheers--and Happy Holidays!