CAARmen's Asian Wrath- A HoI2 Mod34 AAR

[carmen510]

Greetings my fellow HoI2 Players, AAR readers, and CFCers. I've always wanted to do an AAR of my own, ever since I've heard of them, and I've decided to choose Nationalist China.

Now, if you are unfamiliar with Mod34, I suggest you download it HERE and get a little familiar with it, unless you think you can learn about its tech tree and events relatively quickly. (I will try to accommodate new players by posting up possible effects of both, but otherwise, you're on your own)

Now, this AAR will be like a hybrid of styles of other AARs. It will be a combination of my NESing writing styles, mixed with Kan's interactivity and (Hopefully) humor, and with a nice shake of Paradox's regularity of updates and quality. Thus, I will bring in the National Government Council of Doom Gloom.

The National Council of Gloom will act as a somewhat democratic grounds for players to suggest actions for China to forge her destiny as to not get her ass kicked and eventually evolve into the National Council of Doom to take over The World. This Council will contain various pre-set positions, but you may create your own.

I will include all HoI2 positions like Foreign Minister and such, but players will be able to become anything, from Chinese Ambassador to Illegitimate Government of Tibet, to China's 1st CFC Corps Commander, to that Illegal Mongolian Immigrant who give the Chairman backrubs. I won't restrict you or your imagination, as far as suggestions and stories go. Just try to be respectful to other players and to me.

Good Luck to All, and Have Fun!





Settings:

Scenario: 1933-1964 Mod34 Grand Campaign
Country: Nationalist China
Difficulty: Normal
AI Aggressiveness: Normal
Other Notes: No IC Takeover, Democracies Can Declare War, Tech Team Takeover Allowed.

 

[carmen510]

Council of Gloom
Accepting Applicants, New Positions Always Welcome

Government Administration​

Chairman of the National Government: Carmen510
Vice Chairman of the National Government: Karmic Knight
Foreign Minister: potatokiosk
Minister of Economic Development: Luckymoose
Director of Chinese Research and Development: Position Available

Military Administration​

Chief of the Armed Forces: germanicus12
Chief of the ROC's Army: Dachs
Chief of the ROC's Navy: Position Available
Chief of the ROC's Air Force: PrinceScamp

Chinese Intelligence Agency​

Director of the Chinese Intelligence Agency (CIA): taillesskangaru
Minister of Internal Security: Position Available
European Surveillance Committee Chairman: Position Available
Japanese Surveillance Committee Chairman: Jos Ballenbak
African/Middle Eastern Surveillance Committee Chairman: Position Available
Americas' Surveillance Committee Chairman: Position Available

Military Personnel​

General of the Anti-Comintern Front: IronMan2055
General of the 1st National Chinese Army: Equuleus

Available Technology Research:​

(?) -> Means that tech effects may be screwed up, such as when something says +0 Soft Attack

Industry:
Census: +5% Manpower Growth (Blueprint Acquired)
Wartime Industry: Negates the below. +5% dissent, +18% Peacetime IC, +7% IC Efficiency, +5% IC Resource Efficiency, less time to make units, +7% Production Bonus to Fortifications.
Peacetime Industry: Negates the above. -5% dissent, -3% Peacetime IC, +18% Research Modifier, +7% IC Efficiency, +4% IC Resource Efficiency, +8% Production Bonus to IC and Infrastructure, +1 to Dove Lobby and Isolationism.
Study Centers: +2% Research Modifier
Circuits Theory: +2% Research Modifier
Economic Theory: +1% TC, +300 supplies, +250 money

Infantry:
Mountain I: Enables Mountaineers.
Prioritize Quantity: Negates the below. -5% Organization for all units, -3% IC Resource Efficiency, -7 or 8 days for production.
Prioritize Quality: Negates the above. +5% Organization for all units, +3% IC Resource Efficiency, +7 or 8 days for production.
Basic Cavalry: Better Cavalry, better attack and moving for several terrains.
Marines Theory: +5% Amphibious Assault Efficiency, opens up research to actually get Marines.
Initial Theory of Paratroopers: Enables Paratroopers.
Arsenals: +5% Supply Distance Modifier, allows Strategic Redeployment
Commando Theory: +2 Ground Defense to Mountaineers, Marines, and Paratroopers.
Electronic War Theory: +4% Detection, -2% Detection for Enemy, +2% Surprise for all units.

Armor & Artillery:
Light Tank Prototypes: Allows Light Armored units
Basic Ammunition Fuse: +13 Flak Power, +1 air attack and defense for all ground division units
Basic Anti-Tank Gun Prototypes: Allows Anti-Tank Brigades, +1 Infantry Hard Attack
Light Anti-Air Prototypes: Allows Anti-Air Brigades
20mm Heavy Anti-Air: +26 Flak Power, allow Capital AA Brigade (Naval)
Light Artillery Prototypes: Allows Light Artillery Brigades, +1 Soft Attack to Marines, Paratroopers, and Mountain Infantry (Blueprint Acquired)
Heavy Artillery Prototypes: Allows Heavy Artillery Brigades, +1% Fort Attack to Infantry, Cavalry, Motorized, and Mechanized
Rocket Launcher Prototypes: Allows Rocket Artillery Brigades, +1 Soft Attack to Marines, Paratroopers, and Mountain Infantry
Armored Vehicle Prototypes: +1 Ground Defense to all land units
Welded Armor: Allows Armored Car Brigades, +1 Ground Defense to Light Armored and Armored
Basic Mechanical Components: +1 Speed to Light Armored and Armored
Prioritize Speed: Negates the below two. +3 Speed to Light Armored and Armored
Prioritize Power: Negates the above and below. +3 Hard Attack and +2 Soft Attack for Light Armored, +2 Hard Attack and +1 Soft Attack for Armored
Prioritize Speed/Power: Negates the above two. +2 Speed and +1 Hard Attack for Light Armored and Armored.

Land Doctrine:

Defense Principles: +2% Org and +3% Morale to Land units.
Small Units: +5% Attrition, +1% Land Unit Morale.

Naval:
203mm Naval Cannon: +2 Naval Attack for Light Cruisers
700 Ton Destroyer: +5% Convoy Escort Efficiency, Allows Naval Torpedoes, Better Destroyers
5,000 Ton Light Cruiser: Better Light Cruisers
Medium Range Naval Transport: Better Transport Ships
Coastal Submarines: Better Submarines, Allows Naval Torpedoes
Flat Carrier Deck: Allows Aircraft Carriers
Landing Support Ships: +2 Naval Transport Speed, +7% Organization for Naval Transports
20 Ton Naval Patrol Boat: +2 Surface and Air Detection for Destroyers, +1 Surface and Air Detection for Light Cruisers

Naval Doctrine:
Sea Control: Negates the below, Better positioning for Battleships, Battlecruisers, and Heavy Cruisers, Allows Convoy Escorts
Commerce Raiding: Negates the above, +5% Convoy Raiding Efficiency, -5% Convoy Escort Efficiency, Worse positioning for
Battleships, Battlecruisers, and Heavy Cruisers, -3% Production Bonus for convoy transports and convoy escorts
Decisive Battle: Negates the below, +15% Naval Unit Organization, Better positioning for Battleships, Battlecruisers, and Heavy Cruisers, Worse positioning for Light Cruisers and Destroyers, +5% Snow Attack, Rain Attack, Night Attack, and Night Defense for Battleships, Battlecruisers, and Heavy Cruisers
Block Enemy Ships: Negates the above, +5% Convoy Raiding Efficiency, +5% Naval Unit Organization and Morale, Better positioning for Light Cruisers and Destroyers, Worse positioning for Battleships, Battlecruisers, and Heavy Cruisers
Combined Land & Sea: Negates the below, +5% Naval Unit Organization and Morale, Allow Carrier Strikes on Ports and Airbases
Mobile Warfare: Negates the above, +3% Naval Unit Organization, +5% Naval Unit Morale, Allow Carrier Strikes on Ports and Airbases, +5% Snow Attack, Rain Attack, Night Attack, and Night Defense for Aircraft Carriers
Naval Intelligence: +5% Carrier Port and Airbase Strike Efficiency, +5% Anti-Submarine Warfare Efficiency, +5% Convoy Escort Efficiency, +5% Convoy Raiding Efficiency,
Logistical Support: +3% Industrial Supplies Efficiency, Greater Speed and Ranges for all ships

Aircraft:
Interceptor/Fighter Prototypes: Allows Fighters and Interceptors
Bomber Theories: Unlocks Bomber Techs (Blueprint Acquired)
Basic Bombs: +1 Soft Attack for CAS and Tactical Bombers
Light Surveillance Aircraft: +1 Surface and Air Detection for Fights, Interceptors, and Escort Fighters
Rocket Theory: Unlocks Rocket Techs
Jet Engine Concepts: Unlocks Jet Techs
Heavily Armed Light Planes: Negates the below, +1 Air Attack and Air Defense for Fighters, Interceptors, and Escort Fighters(?)
Longer Range Light Planes: Negates the above, -0.2 Fighter, Interceptor, and Escort Fighter Supply Consumption, longer range for Interceptors, Escort Fighters, and Fighters

Air Doctrine:
Air Defense: +3% Interceptor and Fighter Organization and Morale
Independent Air Force: Negates the below, +5% Air Unit Organization, +8% Air Unit Morale, IC discounts for air units
Tactical Air Support: Negates the above, +10% CAS and Tactical Bomber Organization, +15% CAS and Tactical Bomber Morale, IC Discounts on CAS and Tactical Bombers, IC Increase on other aircraft

Secret Weapons:

Nothing available yet. (Nuclear Techs should be, but aren't appearing.)

 

[carmen510]

Renamifications of Important Stuff​

Italics are the renamings.

Tech Teams:

National Machine Works -> National CFC Works
Huangpu Military Academy -> Germanicus Military Academy
Hanyang Arsenal -> Dachs Arsenal
Chang'An -> kang'An
Sun Ning Railway Company -> Ballenbak Railway Company

Provinces:

Chongqing -> Carmenqing
Nanking -> Karmicking

Ministers & Leaders:

Lin Sen -> carmen510
Wang Jingwei -> Karmic Knight
Zhang Zun -> potatokiosk
T.V. Soong -> Luckymoose
Chen Lifu -> taillesskangaru
Chiang Kai-shek -> germanicus12
Zhang Xueliang -> Dachs
Zhou Zirou -> Princescamp
General Feng Yuxiang -> General Equuleus
General Chen Jitang -> General IronMan

You can post now.

 

[Karmic Knight]

I'll take the Vice Chairman of the National Government position.

 

[carmen510]

Application accept. Welcome Vice Chairman. I'll post an update sometime soon.

 

[IronMan2055]

I propose I be named the new "Guy Who Kicks Commies" The purpose of my position is to root out Communism in China and abroad by a swift kick to the....behind.

 

[germanicus12]

Applying for the Chief of the Armed Forces.

Resume was left with your secretary.

 

[Maniacal]

I'd like to take Chief of the ROC's Commercial Air Service (and later on when we gain air forces, Chief of the ROC's Air Service).

 

[carmen510]

CAARmen's Asian Wrath
Prologue: The First Meetings​

February 1st, 1933
Nanjing Presidential Palace

As I'm sure you are all aware, I have called you all to the Presidential Palace. The previous leaders of the previously corrupt Nationalist Chinese government have all been arrested or killed by our similarly corrupt CFC Military Provincial Government. In order to please the people, I have just given you masks that look exactly like the previous leaders. Now, to business. Here's a current map of the situation.


Situation Map, February 1st, 1933

Now, as you can see, China has become one of the most fragmented regions of the world. Multiple warlords surround our Nationalist CFC Government; the Japanese have taken over Taiwan, Manchurian and parts of the Inner Mongolian regions; the Tibetans and Mongolians have split away from our control, and the damned Communists have a position around Nancheng. Luckily, we are not at war with anyone right now, not even the Communists. If we wish to bring back these regions under our control, we will need to reform almost every part of our administration.

Firstly, we need to expand our industrial capacity, in order to prepare ourselves for the inevitable wars we will need to fight. In addition, we may need to improve our infrastructure so as to allow our armies to move quickly should the need arise.

Secondly, we must expand and reform our armed forces. The majority of our military leaders are corrupt and have almost no skill or experience on the battlefield. Also, our forces are horribly outdated and poorly equipped, so we must begin research immediately. We have no tanks and precious little artillery. Our navy is so ineffective as to be nonexistent, it is horribly outdated. Our air force currently consists of outdated commercial planes, and we will need to remedy that as well. We also have outdated military doctrines, some of them pre-WW1.

Thirdly, we must establish diplomatic ties with the major powers. Obviously, we will not be able to negotiate with Japan. We may be able to negotiate with the Soviets, but due to their support of the Communists, that seems unlikely. We could ask for British and French support, but their interest in this region had dwindled ever since Hitler came into power. Therefore, we have two bets. The first is the United States, who are now becoming more concerned with Japanese expansion. They have large amounts of industrial knowledge and could easily help in the modernization of our economy. The second choice is Germany. They have the military knowledge and advisors we desperately need, and they need our resources. Its a win-win situation for us either way.

Now, it is time for our second handout, our production.


Production Handout

As you can see, our industrial capacity is at a seriously low level, owing to our massively high dissent and our peacetime closings. We will open up those wartime factories shortly, but we must get rid of dissent first. Thus, I have assigned 11 factories to produce solely consumer goods. It will take a massive amount of time, but at least this is a start. I have also begun to strengthen the army with reinforcements. Production factories are ready, and I will ask YOU to decide what to produce.

Our energy production is a bit deceptive, our mines aren't pumping the resources as of now. But we WILL need to trade for resources, or embark on early conquests. Either will boost our resource production. Eventually, we will be able to be self-sufficient in resource production, but now is not later.

I will now show you our research venues, be prepared for a large list. Choose your pick, but I will ignore air force, navy, and armored vehicles for now:


Industrial Research

Yes, that is a huge list. I will just describe the venues for you. We can improve our industrial capabilities via War Industry and Industrial Improvements. Wartime Industry and Peacetime Industry should be left alone for now. Study Centers and Circuit Theory will help our research abilities by reducing the time needed, and Economic Theory will help our money production. That's it for the industry, and choose wisely for your pick.


Infantry Research

More venues for research! Ignore Arsenals, Marine Theory, Paratrooper Theory, and Electric War Theory for now. We can improve our infantry by Prioritize Infantry, and this is one we'll want to research before war starts. Prioritize quality and Prioritize Quantity are self-explanatory, researching one reduces the other's capabilities.

Commando Theory is currently useless for now, but they will improve attack capabilities of all our special infantry like mountaineers. We can get Mountaineers via Mountain I infantry research. They will become extremely useful in Tibet and to reinforce our northern provinces. Basic SMG will improve our infantry attack capabilities. Post WW1 infantry will upgrade our infantry to at least a semi-outdated army. Basic Cavalry will get us cavalry units, which may be used as our mobile reserves. Choose your infantry research wisely. And now, to infantry doctrines.


Land Doctrine Research

Yet more research. WW1 Doctrine improves our Organization, Morale, and Attrition capabilities. Defense Principles improve Organization and Morale, albeit less than WW1 Doctrine. WW1 Concepts allows us to build Headquarters for our armies, but we don't have the industrial capabilities to build them for now. Small Units improves Morale and Attrition, but again less than WW1 Doctrine. Now, I suggest you choose WW1 Doctrine, but your choice.


Diplomacy/Government Screen

Now, our government has somewhat decent ministers. Unfortunately, we can only change the armaments minister, and this is a no brainer between our current +10% IC or -20% Supplies possibility. Now, we should change our policy settings. We should move towards Interventionism, Hawk Lobby, and Standing Army. You choose the policy moves.

Finally, our army is widely distributed around the country. As of now, there is no threat to the north. Therefore, we should move our military presence to the south, near Guangxi and the Communists. However, you can choose where our army should move.

Any questions my fellow CFC Administration? (Oh, and vote when prompted in this briefing)

 

[germanicus12]

As General of the Armed Forces, I shall move the troops to the Communist border at once! We cannot allow this abomination to stand!

As for other issues, I support War Industry, anything else I leave in the capable hands of the other administrators who obviously know more about this than a mere General.

But I must demand that we focus on a Standing army rather than one on Drafts. Standing armies are better trained and stand a better chance of winning.

Finally I say we should talk with the United States, I myself have a distant cousin that I talk to periodically, and he says the United States Industrial capacity is so enormous not even the moon could support it. They would be our best bet... but that is just me.

 

[Dachs]

Subscription post and application for Chief of the RoC Army.

 

[carmen510]

Duly noted Germanicus. Although I find it ironic you say a more capable administrator should choose the other technological choices, as those technologies ARE for generals.

Your application has been accepted Dachs.

And now for some explanations:

1. India is an independent puppet nation under Britain's control.
2. If we go to war, we get an event called Mobilization, which gives us +1 Hawk Lobby and Manpower. Only problem is, if we have peace, we get the Demobilization event, which makes us go BACK +1 to Dove Lobby. Therefore, we should be in perpetual war if we wish to keep our Hawk Lobby bonus.
3. One Factory costs 6.5 IC, and infrastructure is bought at 5% for 0.5 IC for 1/2 a year.
4. Around 1945 or so, the United Nations is created as a nation. And this causes EVERY NATION to release nations, and NOT under puppetry. So, if Japan has Vietnam when the UN is created, it will become an independent Vietnam that is not under Japan's control. Therefore, we would need to declare war, yet again. Which wreaks havoc upon our belligerence.
Puppet nations at this time I believe are not affected, except I think for Egypt, India, and Pakistan.
5. We have 4 years before war with Japan, so we have a little more time to prepare for war.

 

[Karmic Knight]

Does the Long March trigger regardless of our actions?

 

[carmen510]

Does the Long March trigger regardless of our actions?

Yes. I believe when war is declared anyways. I'm not exactly sure though.

 

[Dell19]

Given that we are likely to be playing a defensive game I'm curious if people think this is an exploit or not:

Whilst playing as the Soviets I lost Lvov to Germany but not the two provinces to either side so for a week and a half I've been attacking with alternating armies and others in support with no actual intention of retaking Lvov however it does mean that the piecemeal forces that Germany send every day can be easily defeated. This seems to be an effective way of defending that would also be applicable to China with it's large number of provinces however it feels a little gamey as I think the AI doesn't understand that it should stop attacking and wait for the neighbouring provinces to fall.

On the mod, starting in 1933 sounds cool although the tech tree scares me a little. I believe the best strategy is to go for as many of the industrial techs that are 1933/34 related and ignore the army techs for the time being. Out of interest whats wrong with peacetime industry? I would have thought that would be a good tech to research given that we have blueprints for it.

 

[carmen510]

@Dell19: There's Peacetime/Wartime Industry, and War Industry. Look more closely.

Also, all the techs have no dates, which is somewhat stupid, but that means no Year Penalties! So that means I can research anything in any order without Time penalty.

EDIT: One problem though, is that most industrial techs SUBTRACT from Research Time, so if you research non-electronics techs, techs will take longer to research.

 

[Luckymoose]

Minister of the Economy here.

 

[Dachs]

As Chief of the Army, WWI Doctrine and Prioritize Infantry seem to both be pretty solid choices. If all else fails we can human-wave the bejeezus out of the Communists and the Japanese.

I also denounce the United Nations concept as possibly the worst-thought-out game mechanic ever.

 

[carmen510]

@Dachs: That strategy works for the Soviets, certainly. But we have such limited IC that even mass spamming militia may not be enough.

And yes, the United Nations concept is total crap. Especially since THE ENTIRE African continent is released within ONE year. And Ethiopia releases ERITREA around that time as well.

At least have some semblance of god damned realism here. Especially since you CANNOT stop the decolonizing bullsh*t.

 

[potatokiosk]

This looks interesting. I'd like to be foreign minister.

I suggest aligning with Germany. While the US has great potential I doubt it will play an active role in international affairs in the future.