Training and single battles (War on the Sea)

In *War on the Sea*, players can do Training missions, which offer players the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the game mechanics and improve their skills before engaging in more challenging battles and campaign engagements.

## Training Missions

To access these missions, simply select the "TRAINING" option from the main menu. Additionally, players can choose to play Single missions by selecting the "SINGLE BATTLE" option.

## Mission Selection

Upon entering the Training or Single missions section, players will find a list of available missions. It is important to note that currently, no missions are available for the Atlantic and Mediterranean theatres. Players can switch between different theatres using the arrows at the top of the mission list. Each mission is accompanied by a brief summary, providing an overview of its objectives. To initiate a mission, click on the "START" button. For players who wish to continue a previously saved combat mission, including custom missions created in the Battle Editor (not applicable for Training missions), they can choose the "LOAD" option. The "BACK" button allows players to return to the main menu. Furthermore, players can toggle the "Switch Side" option to swap the forces they control; however, this feature is not available in Training missions.

## Briefing and Tactical Map

Before commencing combat, players are presented with a briefing in the form of a full-screen Tactical Map. In most Training missions, the briefing is bypassed for convenience. The Tactical Map provides players with a range of options, including modifying unit placement, setting up formations, establishing navigation waypoints, and issuing initial basic orders. Any modifications made to unit positions and formations take immediate effect until combat begins. By pressing the (F5) key or using the Menu icon, players can access the Menu panel, where they can view the current weather conditions and other environmental factors. To initiate combat, players can click on the "START" button located in the upper center of the screen. However, combat will not commence if certain conditions are not met. These conditions include ships being too close to each other, a ship being in shallow water or on land, aircraft being in close proximity to each other, or any ship or aircraft being outside of its designated deployment area. In such cases, players will be prompted to move the units to appropriate starting positions.

## Combat

Upon starting combat, players enter the immersive 3D game world where they take command of one or more ships and aircraft. During tutorial missions, players are provided with instructional panels that guide them on how to play War on the Sea.

## Menu Panel

To access the Menu panel, players can press the (F5) key or click on the Menu icon in the Main Toolbar. The Menu panel offers various functionalities, including viewing the Action Report for the engagement, ordering a retreat, or quitting the battle. Additionally, the panel displays environmental conditions relevant to the ongoing combat.

## Ending Combat

To conclude combat, players can use the Menu panel by pressing the (F5) key or clicking on the Menu button. By selecting the "RETREAT" button, players can order their units to cease all hostile actions and prepare to leave the combat area. The process of ending combat differs depending on the enemy's status. If the enemy is already retreating, players can choose the "LEAVE" button, followed by "CONFIRM," to retreat and conclude the battle. However, if the enemy is not retreating, a timer will appear, and the "LEAVE" button can only be used after the timer expires. Any hostile actions initiated by the player's units will reset the timer. Once combat concludes, the battle outcome is summarized through the Action Report. It is important to note that ships burning at the end of combat may be scuttled automatically based on overall flooding and the number of fires. To mitigate this, players should extinguish as many fires as possible before leaving a combat engagement. Alternatively, players can use the "QUIT" button followed by "CONFIRM" to end combat immediately; however, this option is not available during a campaign.

## Action Report

The Action Report provides a summary of the battle, listing all participating ships and their current levels of damage and flooding. It also includes information on the tonnage of sunken or scuttled ships, as well as the presence of aircraft and the number shot down by both sides. Enemy units are only shown if their presence was detected. During combat, players can access the Action Report by pressing the (F5) key or using the Menu button to open the Menu Panel and selecting the "REPORT" option. The Action Report is also automatically presented at the end of combat when using the "RETREAT," "LEAVE," and "CONFIRM" functions.