Ageod WW1 Manual Cover.qxd

Encounter Test
An encounter test is made to determine whether a naval battle occurs. The
test is made by calculating the sides’ difference in contact values, plus
weather and control modifiers, and comparing it with the level of the sea
hazard. If the test gives an equal or greater value, a battle occurs.
Modifiers:
+? Contact values difference (as per missions)
- 2 Rain or snow weather
+1 enemy sea
If a contact is established, the first engaged fleet is the “scout fleet”. Failing
that, any 1- or 2-EP fleet. For the moment, no other fleet may take part in
the battle.
14.2.4 Most Common Sea Sorties and “Hints”
These are the most common situations players will see happen:
● If both sides choose a “Control” mission, their fleets find each other
and a naval battle occurs automatically.
● If the German chooses only a Raid or a Patrol, the fleets usually must
check for encounter to see whether or not they find each other.
● There is a surprise risk at sea. The player with surprise receives many
bonuses (but surprise is uncommon).
● To be safe, you should use 2 fleets together: First the scout fleet (with
the famous fast battlecruisers), and then the grand fleet (with all the
slower battleships).
- If a naval battle occurs, the scout fleet fights first (at a low surprise
risk). Then the 2nd fleet will try to enter the battle later.
- In the North Sea, the common sorties are, by side:
German: Sortie of the scout fleet alone to launch a raid against Great
Britain (or a patrol, to bluff); or sortie of two with the Hoch See fleet to crush
70 World War One: La Grande Guerre 1914-1918
the British scout fleet (hoping it is alone, without the Home Fleet), but this
requires the Kaiser’s permission.
British: Sortie of the scout fleet alone in patrol, with or without the Home
Fleet or, from time to time, a Control mission (very expensive) in order to
have the best chance to intercept and crush the German fleets.
● A huge naval battle is often tactically to the German’s advantage, but
the law of numbers, when the British Home fleet is coming, changes it
into a British advantage and forces the German to make a quick
retreat in order to escape.
● In the Mediterranean, the Austrian fleet often stays in port, because
the French fleet is superior (even worse if Italy is Entente), but mostly
because of the sheer economic cost of activation. It may change if
Italy has joined the Central Powers, as the Italian and Austrian fleets
combined may prove a challenge for the French navy.
14.3 Naval Tactics and Battle Types
If a naval encounter occurs, the nature of the combat will depend on he
tactics the players choose and on chance. The players’ choices have a
direct influence on the possible battles.
14.3.1 Combat Tactics
If a naval encounter occurs, each player must choose a Combat Tactic from
those offered at the start of the battle. They are simultaneously disclosed
when the fight starts.
There are 5 different tactics: T Cross the T, L Line of battle, C Column,
A Circle Arc, F Free Formation. Each tactic has an advantage or
disadvantage, depending on the enemy tactic with which it is crossed.
There are: