# Carrier Battle: Philippine Sea

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2023
- **BGG Rating**: 8.6
- **BGG Rank**: #7410
- **Players**: 1 (Best with: 1)
- **Duration**: 30-300 min
- **Weight**: 3.96 / 5
- **Designers**: Jon Southard
- **Artists**: Bruce Yearian
- **Publishers**: Compass Games
- **Categories**: Aviation / Flight, Nautical, Wargame, World War II
- **Mechanics**: Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, Hexagon Grid, Movement Points, Simulation, Solo / Solitaire Game, Variable Set-up

## Verdict
If you enjoy solo wargames focused on WWII naval and air simulation, get ready for an immersive and challenging experience!Deep naval and air simulationExcellent solo experienceVaried and replayable scenariosTension and unpredictabilityRequires dedication and timeModerate language dependencyComplexity for beginnersHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
Get ready to relive one of history's greatest naval clashes! In Carrier Battle: Philippine Sea, you take command of the American forces in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 1944. The objective is clear: find and neutralize the Japanese carrier fleet before they destroy yours. This isn't a two-player game, but rather an intense and tension-filled solo simulation where every decision matters.

You'll need to maneuver your task forces wisely and organize efficient air searches. The game mechanics are ingenious, simulating Japanese movement and attacks in such a way that you'll only discover the imminent threat when the radar blips and you need to scramble your fighters to intercept. It's a game that puts you in the commander's shoes, feeling the pressure and uncertainty of combat.

The game offers nine scenarios for you to explore. Start with four learning scenarios that guide you through the rules step-by-step using slices of the real battle. Then, dive into the five full-scale, fully replayable scenarios. These include daily challenges, a two-day campaign covering the entire battle, and even hypothetical scenarios exploring alternate historical paths, such as different US plans or a Japan that never suffered defeat at Midway. Featuring a detailed hexagonal map, hundreds of counters, and turns divided into phases, the game offers a deep and immersive experience. It's a robust simulation, based on the classic Carrier, but completely standalone and focused on the solitary experience.

## How to Play
Game Objective
The objective of Carrier Battle: Philippine Sea is to simulate the Battle of the Philippine Sea, which occurred in June 1944, where the Japanese fleet attempted a decisive action against American forces. As a player, you control a US fleet and must protect the invasion fleet while facing Japanese air attacks. Victory is achieved by accumulating points according to the rules detailed in the End Game and Scoring section.

Setup
To set up the game, follow these steps:

  Game Board: Use the single game sheet with a hexagonal grid and displays for force control.
  Initial Counters: Distribute ship and aircraft counters according to the setup rules (refer to the manual for details on initial distribution).
  Cards and Tokens: Prepare the air mission cards, Butai (Japanese forces) displays, and other player aids (like the Game Turn Chart).
  Die: Use a 10-sided die (0 is considered 10).
  Each player receives all necessary pieces and aids to control their US fleet.


Game Flow
The game progresses in turns, each representing 80 minutes of real time. The flow is divided into phases and segments:

  Arrival Phase:
    
      Determine how many Japanese forces arrive this turn (7.1).
      Place them on the map (7.1).
      Distribute activation chits for Japanese forces and count the total in the cup.
    
  
  First Action Phase:
    
      Japanese Air Movement: Move all Japanese air raids (10.23).
      Japanese Force Activation: Draw activation chits and process each activated force (movement, attacks).
      If Guam is activated, conduct ground attacks (11.2).
      If rule 16.0 is used, process ground reinforcements (16.1).
      If the US submarine chit is drawn, resolve submarine actions (14.1).
      US Air Movement: Move air missions and expend fuel (4.4).
      Search Mission: Once per turn, conduct air searches (8.2-8.3).
      Air Operations: Launch, refuel, and land aircraft (6.2).
      Interception Air Combat: Resolve combats between interceptions and Japanese raids (4.5).
      US Air Attacks: Conduct attacks against Japanese forces (5.1).
    
  
  Final Action Phase: Check damage, adjust hit points, and finalize the turn (3.24).


Actions and How to Play
The player can perform the following actions:

  Air Missions:
    
      Attack Mission: Launch aircraft to attack detected Japanese forces (4.2).
      Interception Mission: Defend against Japanese raids (4.3).
    
  
  Movement:
    
      Move air missions on the map, respecting fuel limits (4.4).
      Move US surface forces (6.3).
    
  
  Combat:
    
      Resolve air combat (4.5) and air/naval attacks (5.1-5.6).
      Use CAP (Combat Air Patrol) to intercept raids (4.33).
    
  
  Fuel Management: Monitor air mission fuel (4.43).


End Game and Scoring
The game ends when one of the following triggers occurs:

  A Japanese force reaches intelligence level 4 (8.1).
  The player accumulates enough points to win (15.1).

Scoring is calculated based on:

  Destruction of Japanese ships and aircraft (12.0).
  Preservation of US forces (15.1).
  Mission performance (13.1).

Victory occurs if total points exceed the limit defined in the manual. Defeat is immediate if all US forces are eliminated.

Tips for Winning

  Use CAP efficiently: Maintain air patrols in your fleet's hex to intercept raids early (4.33).
  Manage fuel: Avoid missions with low fuel to prevent landing accidents (4.45).
  Prioritize detection: Increase the intelligence level of Japanese forces to improve attack accuracy (8.1).


Refer to the manual for details on this section.

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
This game is exclusively for 1 player (solo).

### How long does a game take?
A game can vary significantly, from 30 minutes for short scenarios to 5 hours (300 minutes) for longer campaigns.

### Is the game very complicated to learn?
The complexity is considered medium-high (BGG weight 3.96/5). It includes learning scenarios to ease players into the rules, but the strategic depth requires dedication.

### Do I need to know English to play?
Yes, there is a moderate language dependency. Components like cards and the rulebook are in English, so having a translated reference sheet or familiarity with the language is recommended.

### What comes in the box?
The game includes a detailed hexagonal map, over 500 counters representing ships, aircraft, and other elements, as well as rulebooks, charts, and tables.

### Is this a new game or based on a previous one?
It is based on the game Carrier: The Southwest Pacific Campaign, but it is a new, standalone title focused on the solo experience.

### Who is this game recommended for?
It's ideal for solo wargame enthusiasts, fans of WWII naval and air simulations, and players looking for deep and immersive strategic challenges.

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