Sandbox/Spring 2019 E-1

Tips

Nodes D & L are choice nodes.
Nodes S & W (boss node) have LoS checks (≈ 21 Cn1 LoS for boss node?).
Nodes C, O, Q, S, and W are surface nodes. Most other nodes are sub nodes, choice nodes, or blue nodes.

Unlocking The Boss Node:

Reach Nodes G & U
S-Rank(?) Nodes O & S

4DE 2DD to reach Node U.
1CL 2DD 3DE to reach all other required Nodes.

(Fleet comps taken from 211303's E1 Guide) Supports are not necessary. LBAS may help with passing surface nodes if there is any difficulty there.

To Boss Node:

Ensure sufficient LoS to pass the LoS check.
1CL 2DD 3DE will reach the boss node.
All LBAS to boss node.

Land Base:

Boss node has 0 Airpower. Use 4 land base bomber and send them there
- The boss is a Tsu class boat so be warned that planes might have the potential to be shot down by Tsu
Alternatively, you can send land base to the pre-boss node if you're not confident with sending them to the boss-node
Sending Ryuuseis to the boss is fine as the range isn't too high and you don't have 4 land base bomber to use in land base.

Totaku's Proposal

E-1 is relatively simple to do on event with a moderately trained fleet. As most of the map will require you to engage against simple surface fleets and submarines. A good general recommendation for who to choose for this map if you play on normal or hard difficulty is avoid using fleets affiliated with Pearl Harbor, the 2nd Fleet of Operation Ten-Go, and fleets that made up Operation AL and Northern Forces. Most other standard ships that are not key ships and are average in combat are suitable for this map.

Objective

Over the course of this map you will need to complete a patrolling operation around 4 major key points:

Patrol around the Stugaru Strait and reach the base in Northern Houkkaido (Node G)
Patrol and take out all enemy forces (S Rank) in the outer Houkkaidou Sea (Node O)
Patrol and take out all enemy forces (S Rank) near Hitokappu Bay (Node S)
Patrol and reach Hitokappu Bay (Node U)

Note that all condition as of current are based on Hard Difficulty and can vary in lower difficulty. Most of these nodes can be done without the assistance of LBAS at this point unless you need assistance.

Patrol around the Stugaru Strait and reach the base in Northern Houkkaido (Node G)

Recommended Fleet
1CL, 4DD, 1DE

Path: D-B-C-F-G

Bring a Fleet with a mix of combat and ASW, choose to go left from the starting point and use line abreast against subs and use vangard against surface fleets. Your fleet should eventually reach G with little to no difficulty.

Patrol and take out all enemy forces (S Rank) in the outer Houkkaidou Sea (Node O)

Recommended Fleet
1CL, 4DD, 1DE

Path: D-H-I-L-O-R

Bring you fleet and have them more combat focused for this fight. The path is simple to reach as you can select the path you need to reach Node O. Use the same methods ad previously mentioned and use Line Ahead on Node O. An S rank is required to meet the condition.

Patrol and take out all enemy forces (S Rank) in the outer Houkkaidou Sea (Node O)

Recommended Fleet
1CL, 4DD, 1DE

Path: D-H-I-L-Q-P-S LoS of 12.7+ (Cn1) needed

Bring you fleet and have them more combat focused for this fight. The path is simple to reach as you can select the path you need to reach Node S. Be sure to bring enough Radars and Seaplane Scouts to meet the requirements to go to node S (estimated to be 12.7+ (Cn1) LoS) Use the same methods ad previously mentioned and use Line Ahead on Node S. An S rank is required to meet the condition.

Patrol and reach Hitokappu Bay (Node U)

Recommended Fleet
1CL, 3-4DD, 0-1DE (5 ships only)

Path: D-H-I-J-L-Q-T-U

Bring a Fleet of only 5 ships with a mix of combat and ASW, choose to go left from the starting point and use line abreast against subs and use vangard against surface fleets. Your fleet should eventually reach U with little to no difficulty.

Once all conditions are met the path to Node W will be revealed.

From there all you need to do is defeat the main enemy fleet lead by the new Tsu-class Flagship

Recommended Fleet
0-1 CAV, 1-2 CL, 4DD
1 CL, 5 DD

Path: D-H-I-J-L-O-W

Bring a surface combat focused fleet to help provide a chance to stand up against the enemy fleets in boss node. How you chose to tackle this fight can vary, as it's optional to begin a CAV (which can provide an edge in both Node O and W) or use (2 CL to conserve CAVs for possible later operations) Most fight leading up to the boss should be about the same. You will need a relatively good LoS (about 14+(?) (verification required)) to avoid hitting node V and go straight to W.

Use ASW for subs and Vangaurd formation for Surface Fleets, however if some difficulty does rise with getting though node O, LBAS assistance can be considered, but otherwise, concentrate all LBAS attacks on the boss node (Node W).

The boss will be a Tsu-class Flagship which has HP on par to a Flagship Transport, and the combat strength similar to a battleship along with a much higher AA which will give it's fleet stronger AA in general. The Tsu-class will have several other CLs and DD in tow (and more elite Tsu-classes on higher difficulty.)

Bringing an LBAS to the boss may present some risks for you planes as they may get shotdown and possibly loose rank but otherwise should help you clear out most of the enemy ships easily. If you bring name squadron planes like the Nanoka Squadron and other various named or skilled planes, it'll be more likely to survive the surface AA attacks.

If your LBAS clear out enough it should result in an eay fight where you wipe out almost everyone and finish off the Tsu-class in night battle. Repeat until the operation is complete.

LBAS Recommendation

4 Ryuusei or 4 Land Base Bombers (Range 5)

Everything on this map will have no air power, so bringing only bombers here is a good way to take out any problems that may appear and due to how easy the map is, it's possible to use this place to rank up planes as well.