Convoy Commander, not much control

[Neal Stevens]

Ok, I've played as Convoy Commander in two games, one on HARD and one on NORMAL. The convoy ships are not showing up on the map, so there is no way to keep track of the escorts and merchants other than looking around from the bridge of one of the ships. Am I missing something?

Likewise, seems like there is no way to know if one of your escorts picks up a sonar contact. Including the escort you have first person control of? Has anyone leanred how to do this? I see searchlights flashing from time to time, does that mean anything? I hear sirens from time to time, does that mean anything?

Then manual tells nothing at all about MP, except to list each button. It tells nothing about how to play. The game does not perform, do far, like the demo I saw.

I would like to hear your experiences, thanks
Neal

[Arrowhead2k1]

Seems like this aspect isn't finished yet either. :cry: There's no way to use the sonar, no way to ping anyone. It's not half as fun as I thought it would be because it's too confusing and you can't do much but look for periscopes and try to run enemies down with depth charges.

It's a shame because there is so much potential here. It just needs some simple features to be implemented.

[obxtony]

Well thats it!! tried to get some enthusiasm built up but no...game is flat as a pancake!! So mines back in the box till they decide to fix it properly !!
Released to early to make a fast buck and never thought it throu
All they had to do was ask !!:down:

Obxtony

[novafluxx]

You've just taught me that we can play as the convoy commander...

How and where did you find that out??

This game's documentation is SEVERELY lacking

[Neal Stevens]

Yeah, the game manual is worthless, does not explain much about MP. It basically lists the different settings, but does not describe what they do.

Good news is, I am told the CC will be improved and made playable. I hope so, otherwise the only MP anyone will choose is co-op.

Neal

[EPinniger]

Yeah, the game manual is worthless, does not explain much about MP. It basically lists the different settings, but does not describe what they do.

Good news is, I am told the CC will be improved and made playable. I hope so, otherwise the only MP anyone will choose is co-op.

Neal


The manual of the UK version of SH4 (which I have) has a short section with information on the multiplayer modes, including the convoy commander/adversarial mode. Only a few pages, but it gives a summary of the mode and how to play it.

Do you know if there's any chance of this mode being made available in single player missions? If only by making CC multiplayer missions playable with only 1 player in the game? I'd like to try creating some Destroyer Command-style ship-vs-ship SP missions.

[Neal Stevens]

This seems to be another case of bad documentation (manual) and player complaining (me!) without understanding the way the game works. The realism settings in your single player profile carry over to MP. So 100% realism means no top down map, which is pretty much vital to play as a CC. Hopefully the MP will be changed so you can set MP realism options separate from single player, and the top down map is available to the CC, even at 100% realism.

[DeePsix501]

Yea it is hard to know what your doing in that mode. I'll stick with co-op. We should get an 8 player subsim pacific wolf pack going!

[elanaiba]

This seems to be another case of bad documentation (manual) and player complaining (me!) without understanding the way the game works. The realism settings in your single player profile carry over to MP. So 100% realism means no top down map, which is pretty much vital to play as a CC. Hopefully the MP will be changed so you can set MP realism options separate from single player, and the top down map is available to the CC, even at 100% realism.

Yes, that's how 1.2 should work.

[Neal Stevens]

:rock::rock::rock:

[DeePsix501]

Good to hear! Multiplayer will be a blast when Neal trys to keep his subsimming crew at bay with Destroyers

:rock: :rock: :rock:

[BBury]

I gave the adversarial type mission a go last night. After a quick learning of the commands I thought I had it made until I tried telling my escorts what I wanted. Some seem to do pretty much whatever they want regardless of what you tell them.

My biggest complaint was when I was trying to run down my buddy in his surfaced sub with three different destroyers. The first DD I was in headed way out in front of covnoy and wouldn't let me command it at all. In the second destroyer, it wouldn't allow me to run through the aft end of convoy (3 ships widely spaced). The AI or something forced me around the outside of the convoy before it would let me drive the ship on course. After I got on course my friend promptly trashed my DD and shot me off the bridge with his deck gun. When I switched to a third DD, I had an almost straight shot toward him. Again, he shot me off the bridge on only his third round from the deck gun. These were both from about 1000yds or less running at 35 to 37 kts straight on. I then finally switched to a fourth remaining DD. He was running away on the surface to the south in his Gato. My last DD was north of convoy and burning DD's. After I finally convinced my DD to head south, after getting 1 to 2 nm south of convoy, my DD decided it didn't want to be left behind and kept turning back to the north. I repeatedly tried to force it to the south but it kept hard turning north and even going to emergency reverse. I had disabled all the buttons for this ship for defense or search pattern but it acted like it need to stay with the convoy regardless of my commands.


So, my observation on this one "Adversarial" online mission.

First of all, controlling DD's in first person is difficult unless you are in open water away from any other ship. There appears to be a wide collision bubble around each ship that you cannot penetrate regardless of commands. There seems to be another "zone" around a group of convoy for which DD's will not stray out or away of from.

Second, the subs deck guns are adequate to take on any DD.


Has anyone else had this experiance?

[OlegM]

Great report BBury (I mean the report itself is quite depressing but it's good that someone finally posted extensively about his experiences however bad they might be :cool: )

Could you, and did you, fire your DD guns on the surfaced subs?

[BBury]

Thanks OlegM. Yes, it was a bit depressing but it was fun to try.

The DD's opened up by themselves on the surfaced sub with thier cannon once I got fairly close. Maybe 1000 to 1500 yds. That was the one good thing that came out of my experiance. They made pretty good aim as well since they were plastering my friend. What amazed me was he took numerous hits yet managed to kill me twice with a few well placed shots from the sub.

Another thing that took awhile to figure out was how to attack a sub once it's spotted. The only thing I could see that you were allowed to do manually was drop depth charges. You have no control of thier depth setting though. But, without sonar information it would have been useless anyway. Basically, as Neal pointed out, you have to spot the sub visually which is very difficult. Wihtout the sub surfacing you basicazlly have to run them over and try to drop depthcharges on them if you can get your DD to go the direction you want.

[ElAurens]

I'm the guy that was shooting BBury off the bridge.

:lol:

With some work by the devs this aspect of the sim could be incredibly good.

When the match started, before the bugs became apparent, I was maneuvering my sub to get a good tactical position and I have to admit that knowing another human being was out there trying to get me really raised the bar on the excitement level. I was literally on the edge of my seat.

Get the damage models for the DDs fixed, and give the convoy commander the tools (sonar. hydrophones) and the ability to totally command his units and this will be an amazing arena of play.

[OlegM]

Get the damage models for the DDs fixed, and give the convoy commander the tools (sonar. hydrophones) and the ability to totally command his units and this will be an amazing arena of play.

Yea and give me a million dollars while you're at it :rock:

What BB (and many posters on single player board before him) described is seriously screwed up DD vs sub combat model, that only becomes more evident in MP game, when a player can command DD directly. Single players also posted at great length about massacring helpless DDs (with deck gun no less) etc. Subs surviving multiple hits from a DD gun....

I would like to see solid MP more than anything else, so I hope it gets fixed, but it's hard to put hopes too high at this point :shifty:

[jdski]

I found that I was able to go to external view and look under water. It says in the manual you can't look under water when playing CC. It didn't help me any though. I still couldn't find my brother who was sinking all my ships.
I wish I at least had binoculars so I could search for his periscope. I felt naked on the bridge without them. I'm also wondering why in adversial mode you are limited to one hour. We didn't want to be limited but had no choice other then 1/2 hour.

[BBury]

I'm also wondering why in adversial mode you are limited to one hour. We didn't want to be limited but had no choice other then 1/2 hour.

Because they knew the subs could sink all your ships in under an hour...:lol: :o

[rknhorse]

I found that I was able to go to external view and look under water. It says in the manual you can't look under water when playing CC. It didn't help me any though. I still couldn't find my brother who was sinking all my ships.
I wish I at least had binoculars so I could search for his periscope. I felt naked on the bridge without them. I'm also wondering why in adversial mode you are limited to one hour. We didn't want to be limited but had no choice other then 1/2 hour.

All the commands with Ctxt=11 are comands programmed into adversarial mode: this line says you have binoculars "B" in adversarial

[Cmd544]
Name=Adv_Binocular_camera
Ctxt=11
Key0=0x42,,"B"
Page=0x27000000,3706
GoBack=Camera_on_current_unit


sorry for the length of message but here is a clip of all Context11=AdversarialMode commands if they dont have a Key0=0x42,,"B"
line then there is no KEY selected for the command


(Key3=0x67,Rcs,"B") = R=repeat key, c=with control, s=with shift, key= B

[Cmd145]
Name=Order_maintain_depth
Ctxt=1
Key0=0x41,C,"A" = C=executed by the crew key = A <<-- infamous crash to desktop maintain depth key :D


C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific\Data\Cfg\Commands.cfg
[Contexts]
ContextsNb=13; max contexts nb is 16
Context0=None; default - should not be changed
Context1=Game
Context2=Pause
Context3=Spectator
Context4=Console
Context5=Museum
Context6=Effects
Context7=Final
Context8=Edit
Context9=Replay
Context10=ModalMsg
Context11=AdversarialMode
Context12=DeathEffect
[Commands]
CommandsNb=600
MaxKeyCommandsNb=170; Keys number shoud be smaller than this value (in order to accelerate the loading)
;Name = command name -> will be translated in command index
;Ctxt = command context(s) as indexes -> see [Contexts] section
;MnID = menu item id associated with this command
;Str = string id (from en_menu.txt) associated with this command
;KeyX = an entry containing <key_code>,<flags chars>,<help text id>; flags chars could be C=executed by the crew, R=repeat key, c=with control, s=with shift, m=only when mouse is captured (enabled), n=only when mouse is not captured (enabled)
;Page = <page_id>,<title_id>; associated page (only for user commands) and a title if is necessary
;______________________________________
;USER COMMANDS
[Cmd1]
Name=Help
Ctxt=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11
Key0=0x70,,"F1(EN)"
[Cmd2]
Name=Console
Ctxt=1,2,3,4,6,11
Key0=0x91,,"ScrLock"
;______________________________________
[Cmd7]
Name=Go_back_to_prev_cam
Ctxt=1,11
[Cmd8]
Name=Free_camera
Ctxt=1,2,9,11
Page=0x34000000,3701
[Cmd9]
Name=User_free_camera
Ctxt=1,2,9,11
MnID=0x3F02000B
Key0=0x7A,,"F11"
Key1=0x7A,c,""
Key2=0x7A,s,""
;Key0=0x7B,,"F12"
;Key1=0x7B,c,""
;Key2=0x7B,s,""

[Cmd25]
Name=Net_Final_page
Ctxt=1,2,3,6,7,10,11
Page=0x2D000000
[Cmd26]
Name=Net_Spectator_page
Ctxt=1,6,7,11
Page=0x55000000
[Cmd29]
Name=Close_event_cam
Ctxt=1,10,11
Key0=0xBF,,"/"
[Cmd70]
Name=Cam_zoom_in
Ctxt=1,11
[Cmd71]
Name=Cam_zoom_out
Ctxt=1,11
[Cmd72]
Name=Cam_zoom_cycle
Ctxt=1,11
Key0=0x09,,"Tab"
[Cmd73]
Name=Cam_wheel_zoom
Ctxt=1,11
;Key0=0x05,R,"M.wheel"

[Cmd80]
Name=To_left
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,6,9,11
MnID=0x31000001
Key0=0x25,R,""
[Cmd81]
Name=To_left_fast
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,6,9,11
Key0=0x25,Rs,""
[Cmd82]
Name=To_left_slow
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,6,9,11
Key0=0x25,Rc,""
[Cmd83]
Name=To_right
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,6,9,11
MnID=0x31000003
Key0=0x27,R,""
Key1=0xb0,R,""
[Cmd84]
Name=To_right_fast
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,6,9,11
Key0=0x27,Rs,""
Key1=0xb0,Rs,""
[Cmd85]
Name=To_right_slow
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,6,9,11
Key0=0x27,Rc,""
Key1=0xb0,Rc,""
[Cmd86]
Name=To_up
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,6,9,11
MnID=0x31000002
Key0=0x26,R,""
[Cmd87]
Name=To_up_fast
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,6,9,11
Key0=0x26,Rs,""
[Cmd88]
Name=To_up_slow
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,6,9,11
Key0=0x26,Rc,""
[Cmd89]
Name=To_down
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,6,9,11
MnID=0x31000004
Key0=0x28,R,""
Key1=0xb1,R,""
[Cmd90]
Name=To_down_fast
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,6,9,11
Key0=0x28,Rs,""
Key1=0xb1,Rs,""
[Cmd91]
Name=To_down_slow
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,6,9,11
Key0=0x28,Rc,""
Key1=0xb1,Rc,""
[Cmd92]
Name=Move_forward
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x26,R,""
Key1=0x26,Rc,""
;Key2=0x68,R,""
;Key3=0x68,Rc,""
[Cmd93]
Name=Move_forward_fast
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x26,Rs,""
Key1=0x26,Rcs,""
;Key2=0x68,Rs,""
;Key3=0x68,Rcs,""
[Cmd94]
Name=Move_backward
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x28,R,""
Key1=0x28,Rc,""
;Key2=0x62,R,""
;Key3=0x62,Rc,""
[Cmd95]
Name=Move_backward_fast
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x28,Rs,""
Key1=0x28,Rcs,""
;Key2=0x62,Rs,""
;Key3=0x62,Rcs,""
[Cmd96]
Name=Strafe_left
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x25,Rc,""
Key1=0x25,Rm,""
[Cmd97]
Name=Strafe_left_fast
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x25,Rcs,""
Key1=0x25,Rsm,""
[Cmd98]
Name=Strafe_right
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x27,Rc,""
Key1=0x27,Rm,""
Key2=0xb0,Rc,""
[Cmd99]
Name=Strafe_right_fast
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x27,Rcs,""
Key1=0x27,Rsm,""
Key2=0xb0,Rcs,""
[Cmd100]
Name=Strafe_up
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x24,R,"Home"
Key1=0x24,Rc,""
Key2=0x67,R,""
Key3=0x67,Rc,""
[Cmd101]
Name=Strafe_up_fast
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x24,Rs,""
Key1=0x24,Rsc,""
Key2=0x67,Rs,""
Key3=0x67,Rcs,""
[Cmd102]
Name=Strafe_down
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x23,R,"End"
Key1=0xb1,Rc,""
Key2=0x61,R,""
Key3=0x61,Rc,""
[Cmd103]
Name=Strafe_down_fast
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x23,Rs,""
Key1=0xb1,Rcs,""
Key2=0x61,Rs,""
Key3=0x61,Rcs,""
[Cmd104]
Name=Rot_left
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x25,Rn,""
Key1=0x25,Rsn,""
Key2=0x64,Rn,""
Key3=0x64,Rsn,""
[Cmd105]
Name=Rot_right
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x27,Rn,""
Key1=0x27,Rsn,""
Key2=0xb0,R,""
Key3=0xb0,Rs,""
Key4=0x66,Rn,""
Key5=0x66,Rsn,""
[Cmd106]
Name=Rot_up
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x69,R,""
Key1=0x69,Rc,""
Key2=0x69,Rs,""
Key3=0x69,Rcs,""
[Cmd107]
Name=Rot_down
Ctxt=1,2,3,5,9,11
Key0=0x63,R,""
Key1=0x63,Rc,""
Key2=0x63,Rs,""
Key3=0x63,Rcs,""
Key4=0xb1,R,""
Key5=0xb1,Rs,""
;______________________________________
;NAVIGATION OFFICER
[Cmd252]
Name=Plot_course
Ctxt=1,11
MnID=0x3F060001
____________________________________
;RADIO OPERATOR
[Cmd489]
Name=Camera_on_current_unit
Ctxt=1,6,11
Page=0x34000000
[Cmd491]
Name=Set_escort_throttle
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd492]
Name=Set_escort_course
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd493]
Name=Set_escort_position_fore_far
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd494]
Name=Set_escort_position_fore_near
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd495]
Name=Set_escort_position_aft_far
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd496]
Name=Set_escort_position_aft_near
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd497]
Name=Set_escort_position_left_far
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd498]
Name=Set_escort_position_left_near
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd499]
Name=Set_escort_position_right_far
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd500]
Name=Set_escort_position_right_near
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd501]
Name=Set_escort_defensive_mode
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd502]
Name=Set_escort_aggressive_mode
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd503]
Name=Set_escort_search_mode_on
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd504]
Name=Set_escort_search_mode_off
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd505]
Name=Set_escort_attack_with_side_ASW
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd506]
Name=Set_escort_attack_with_aft_ASW
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd507]
Name=Set_convoy_zigzagging_on
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd508]
Name=Set_convoy_zigzagging_off
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd509]
Name=Set_convoy_throttle_slow
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd510]
Name=Set_convoy_throttle_fast
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd511]
Name=View_previous_convoy_unit
Ctxt=6,11
Key0=0x4e,,"N"
Page=0x34000000
[Cmd512]
Name=View_next_convoy_unit
Ctxt=6,11
Key0=0x4d,,"M"
Page=0x34000000
[Cmd513]
Name=Show_AdversarialMode_Dials
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd514]
Name=Hide_AdversarialMode_Dials
Ctxt=6,11
[Cmd515]
Name=Enter_Adversarial_mode
Ctxt=1,6,11
[Cmd544]
Name=Adv_Binocular_camera
Ctxt=11
Key0=0x42,,"B"
Page=0x27000000,3706
GoBack=Camera_on_current_unit
[Cmd563]
Name=Adversarial_Navigation_2D_map
Ctxt=11
Key0=0x74,,"F5"
Page=0x31000000,3740

[CPO1TIGGS]

Still testing this mode... Yes there needs to be some tweaking no doubt about that. However for now I approach it from a "Squadron Commander's" point of view. I worry about the dispostition of the DD's and place them in a screen and have them oriented down threat. I am not worried about controlling the individual DDs I let the AI do that. I just adjust the dispostion of the ships as required.....and try to avoid the the Sub....Definately a lot of potential in this mode.....and still testing (I thru the Manual into the gash...)

WRT HAMACHI has anyone had the following issue? I can connect (others can connect to me) I can "create" a game, load the game and actually have others in game...but the server seems to disconnect after 2-3 minutes... I have this issue whether I am running straight to INET with XP Firewall or thru my D-Link Router DMZ or Open Ports.

Cheers

TiGGs

[Caseck]

Any improvement since 1.2?

[BBury]

Haven't tried it again. Nothing was metioned in the patch so I haven't bothered.

[messenger3]

Well,i did manage to control some of the DD's but not all of them, some are AI and pretty stupid,always getting in your way and standing on one spot to get blast away with torps.There was only one icon in convoy control, evasive maneuver- but it didnt do anything since there was no moution of any of the convoy ships, and i coundnt plot any waypoints for them. I tried to click individual ship and at least give a full ahead but seemed no effect. Later they did a move in strange mess but still in same spot.
Now i could plot waypoints for some of the subhunters ships, still huge detection collision bubble around them so you cant do close pass to other ship, i picked up the sub and headed towards it,(we played on normal settings) he wiped out most of them before i could reach him, you cant really do any evasive action, because they react to your changing directions very slowly,plus i miss direct control like full left or right. The AI dont work at all, like if they are passing the sub the dont drop the load and wait for you to push the button, which could be sometimes hard to time it if you want to look from the ship.You basicaly have to be in map mode all the time,because the camera control is a bit hard here.
Well when i managed to roll some barrels from the racks, they blew the crap of my own ships because you cant set the depth of the charges and they blow right they touch the surface :down: . so three ships became disarmed ones they tried to drop some depth charges.
I did some damage to him with side catapults though. At the end he went surface and even he was encirled with light cruisers and 4 DDs he blew away 4 of my ships beffore some would tried to shoot back and stop him, unfotunatelly you can command firing the guns:cry: .
Conclusion is it looks very promising once actually finished:oops: !

mission over

[RoyalHighlander]

MAybe time to dust off sh2 and destroyer command and play that set of games.. ive shelbved my sh4 game untill its patched at v123.094.0953.00 then maybe it will work as advertised.. paid 70.00 up front for the special pre order edition and feel like i was screwed by ubisoft...