The most important thing I do is

Toronado3800 · The most important thing I do is

try to create an imbalance. If I suspect my opponent is going air heavy like he did with America in our last game I picked a Japanese fleet to counter it. I used subs, zero's, and ships with good AA abilities. My thought was my cheap zero's could decently counter his offensive air abilities if I had alot but unless I spend tons of points on Judy's and Val's I'd never get through the Hellcats or Laffey AA.

The_lucky_Y

the best way to counter an US air heavy build is purchase at least following SAMIZ units:

Soryu
Akitzuki
Musashi
I-26
Zeke(A6M5)

IJN Fuso

I agree with Lucky_Y To counter US Air, you need to pick units that are not gonna be fragged easily. So Vals, Judys, Kates, Bettys are a no-no. These are a waste of points because you won't get many attacks with them before they're history.

With Japan - my favorite units are I-19s (Range 3 torps!) and the DDs, with Yahagis. (Give +4 flag!) Japanese Swarm fleets that use LLs are great because the LL is so powerful. It takes 6 regular torp hits to sink an Iowa - but only 3 LLs. Each LL is worth 2 torps!

Add some Zekes to slow down the Air attacks (you can't stop US Air, you can only hope to contain it!) Now you have a good speed fleet. Try to get the objectives covered by turn 3, because your ships won't last against a prolonged air barrage.

Toronado3800

Ah yes. I need to make a list of both Japanese and Italian/German ships with good anti-air. I love the relatively cheap Zekes, they come at about 1/2 price against the American attack aircraft leaving Japan more money to buy subs.

I gotta keep in his head and wonder if he'll go with a 0 Hell or Wild Cat build next time since I had no Val's or Judy's last time....