Quote:
Originally Posted by Xxzard
Hello all, first post on this forum
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Welcome aboard! New guy buys the drinks
I think most of your questions have been answered, but if you want more details, speak up.
I'll elaborate a bit on the "is one side better?" though...
There are 2 options that have a HUGE effect on this. These are found at the top of the simulation controls menu and are called "Advanced Critical Hits" (ACHs). They default to the off position. If you turn them on, they make the British considerably weaker.
One of these ACHs gives British ships a 20% chance of blowing up if they receive a penetrating hit on a turret. There's a long discussion on why we think this is historically accurate over in the wiki, but as noted, you don't have to play with this turned on. Note that 1st off, it only affects ships with turrets (ACs and bigger). Second, the shell has to penetrate the turret armor, and then only 1 in 5 such penetrations cause the explosion.
If this option is turned off, ships of all sizes on both sides will still blow up periodically due to normal magazine critical hits. The above setting is an extra likelihood of explosion for British ships.
The other ACH makes certain types of AP shells fragile. This makes them very unlikely to penetrate heavy armor and makes penetrating even medium armor somewhat doubtful. It affects all British guns larger than 6", and also some old German guns that fire old-type shells. This really pulls the fangs of the big British guns. There's also a lot of discussion on why we think this is historically accurate, but again, you don't have to play this way.
Otherwise, the fleets have various strengths and weaknesses. In general, it's like this:
Germans:- Usually better damage control, so repair damage during battles more quickly than the British.
- Capital ships are somewhat more accurate, especially at the start of battles.
- Newer CLs have gun directors so can hit better at longer ranges then British CLs.
- Significantly fewer of all types of ships.
- Smaller guns and shorter ranges than their British equivalents.
- Earlier dreadnoughts are slower than their British equivalents, so the HSF can't outrun the GF even without the predreadnoughts along.
- Many ships and subs are capable of laying mines.
- In the campaign, the Germans have the strategic burden of the offensive.
British:- Lots more of every type of ship.
- About 1/2 of British capital ships have bigger guns with longer ranges than the entire German fleet.
- Almost all British DDs have more and bigger guns than nearly all German DDs.
- Bigger torpedoes with higher speed and longer range.
- Lots of ACs, which have to stay clear of capital ships but completely own German light forces.
- Very few minelayers.
- In the campaign, can remain on the defensive.