Italian Navy

[Bhaal]

Playing as Italy for the first time, I have some questions about naval buildup. Is is better to build CA's, CL's, and BB's, instead of taking all the time to research CV's? And is it even possible to gain naval superiority in the med. without naval bombers? I am currently building 4 fleets of 12 subs, and 3 BB's with support ships, is this a waste of time. Should i just concentrate on subs and inf/aircraft? Thanks in advance

 

[unmerged(49273)]

I think that the superiority in Mediterrean for Italy could be reached using BBs and minor ships with naval bombers. When I played with Great Britain I've lost many naval battles because more than 20 Italian ships attacked me all together every time.

The sea is small and so the trick is to use all your navy together.
We lost the battle for the Mediterrean sea because we didn't use our Navy at its max potential.

 

[unmerged(44544)]

You can rule the sea including the med with just Subs. Use stacks of 6+ Though their org in HSR is very low and they will retreat from battles they always sink a few - much more expensive to build enemy ships. Rinse and repeat.

You will need a reasonable transport surface fleet to move your armies about the med tho.

 

[hiryu]

You need surface fleet to protect your transports and the fleet have some value in shore bombardement. You need to catch the British piecemeal and use your naval bombers to soften them up before the battle and sink the damaged ships afterwards.

 

[Bhaal]

Thanks, i don't like exploiting the naval bombers huge advantage(although in hsr its a little better). I plan on using the subs and strong BB fleet, probobly going to get booted in africa though, as i am spending most fo my ic on the navy thusfar, probobly will not spend on army till late 38. My goal for the game is to end it with what i started with, and to not be an easy way into germany for the allies.

 

[mrsund]

I have just tried with CVs in HSR as Italy and there where no gain that compensate the huge research and ICcost.

The most effective navalvessels was the subs, but I stack them in 10s and really dont know if thats correct historically, but i went well even if Italy dont have same good doctrines that Germany have.

The second best armada was the BBs, I did have some level 7 (recommend lv7) and lv3 a couple of BC and CA, and alot of CL and DD.

The result was that the most BB and CV sunk was done by my subs, the BB-fleet took care of enemy subs and TP.

 

[Nogrentain]

Whenever I'm Italy, I reorganize my starting navy into the 2nd-4th fleets. The 1st fleet being a flotilla of 30 level 4 vessels.

2nd fleet consists of all vessels being level 3 and above plus the 4 BB's It is a 20 flotilla fleet that I suppliment with one level 4 BB, 1 4CA, and 4 4DDs. The 6 CLs and 4 CAs are level 3.

Third fleet consists of remaining CAs, CLs, and DDs, all of which must be at least level 2. I had this to total 20 including one extra CA that was level 4. I also suplemented with some elvel 4 DDs.

Fourth fleet consists of the level 1 ships meant entirely to pin down enemy vessels for a strike by the powerful ones.

I generally prioritize research on my navy. Since most of the research to level 4 is done it doesn't take too long and you can still get a good army. Although I always use carriers just because of my belief (history showed it to be true) that CV's own the open waters, it seems not bothering with them is good enough (which I do if the country is not that strong in terms of naval research and relatively low on IC) If I intend on a long term war that lasts well into the 50's (ex. German domination over the world) then I continue to research to the nuclear level and make them in time for 1945. Otherwise I delay updating my fleet until I've really given the allies or whatever enemy I'm going up against a real pounding as level 4 fleets are usually good enough until 1945.

1st fleet:
3 level 4 BB
3 level 4 CV
8 level 4 CA
16 level 4 DD

I always invade Spain before the civil war for a lot of extra IC, resources, and easy takeover of Gibraltar. I rush Suez and the lockout of the Med is complete. Just before I DoW the Uk (if I decide to, sometimes I let Germany duke it out alone wqith the allies and help them vs Russia for the massive resource deposits in the south) I place all the troops I need where I need so even if I were to lose all my transports, it would not be a major strategic loss until I can wipe out the RN.

Also you want to concentrate on 3 types of vessels or so. BCs for example aren't really needed when you start off with level 4 BB already researched, etc. Depends on your preference.

Whatever you do, I highly recommedning DoWing Spain before the civil war. It gives yuou the IC you need for a 5th tech team and makes the whole domination of the Med thing so much easier.