More realistic torpedo failures via SH3 Commander

[LGN1]

Hi all,

compared to reality, torpedo failures in SH3 are much too rare. By setting the running depth of the torpedo to 0 meters, using the contact/impact pistol, and restricting yourself to shots close to 90 degrees AOB, it is possible to avoid torpedo failures almost completely. This is very unrealistic. As discussed extensively in the NYGM manual, in reality the torpedoes had several flaws resulting in a much higher failure rate.

Inspired by some remarks in the NYGM manual , I have added the following entries to my SH Commander randomization file (SH3 Commander\Cfg\Randomised events.cfg) in order to achieve a more realistic torpedo failure rate.

First, I have added the idea from the NYGM mod to restrict the minimal running depth of the torpedo. This is done to reduce surface runners which in reality in most cases would be duds. See the discussion in the NYGM manual. I have added to Randomised events.cfg (copy and paste version in second post):

;----------Permanent min. depth of 2m (NYGM uses 3m) begin
[0:data\Menu\cfg\Dials.cfg]
;For the whole war
ApplyToPeriod=19390101|19450508
;No randomization
ChooseFrom=1
RndMidPat=1

0_Dial0|DialVal=54,270 ; for other perm. depths: 12*n+30,270 if n meters min. depth
0_Dial0|RealVal=2,20 ; n,20
;----------Permanent min. depth of 2m end

This also limits the max. depth to 20m instead of 25m for reasons discussed below.

After this I have added a random offset between the dial value and the real value so that one does not know exactly the torpedo running depth. This is done until middle of 1942 when the problem was solved. With a probability of 9% the torpedo is running 1m or more below the depth chosen on the dial. With 16% probability it is running less than 1m below the chosen value and with 75% probability it runs at the right depth. These are just my personal values, maybe they will need some fine tuning.

;----------Random torpedo running depth begin
[1:data\Menu\cfg\Dials.cfg]
;Randomize the running depth of the torpedo below the shown dial value
;
;For instance, general entry for a min. running depth of n=2m and error of k=2.5m
;0_Dial0|RealVal=4.5,22.5 ; n+k,20+k if n meters min. depth and k meters deeper
;
;Only in historical period
;Chance for k meters deeper:
; k>=1m: 9%
; m>k>0m: 16%
;Allow randomization during patrol
ApplyToPeriod=19390101|19420531
ChooseFrom=44
RndMidPat=1

; Entries for min. running depth of n=2m
0_Dial0|RealVal=4.5,22.5

1_Dial0|RealVal=4.0,22.0

2_Dial0|RealVal=3.5,21.5

3_Dial0|RealVal=3.0,21.0

4_Dial0|RealVal=2.5,20.5

5_Dial0|RealVal=2.5,20.5

6_Dial0|RealVal=2.5,20.5

7_Dial0|RealVal=2.25,20.25

8_Dial0|RealVal=2.25,20.25

9_Dial0|RealVal=2.25,20.25

10_Dial0|RealVal=2.25,20.25
;----------Random torpedo running depth end


If one wants to use only this feature with GWX and without the min. running depth the values are:

;Entries for min. running depth of n=0m (GWX)
0_Dial0|RealVal=2.5,22.5

1_Dial0|RealVal=2.0,22.0

2_Dial0|RealVal=1.5,21.5

3_Dial0|RealVal=1.0,21.0

4_Dial0|RealVal=0.5,20.5

5_Dial0|RealVal=0.5,20.5

6_Dial0|RealVal=0.5,20.5

7_Dial0|RealVal=0.25,20.25

8_Dial0|RealVal=0.25,20.25

9_Dial0|RealVal=0.25,20.25

10_Dial0|RealVal=0.25,20.25

For NYGM with a min. running depth of 3m one has to use
; Entries for min. running depth of n=3m (NYGM)
0_Dial0|RealVal=5.5,22.5

1_Dial0|RealVal=5.0,22.0

2_Dial0|RealVal=4.5,21.5

3_Dial0|RealVal=4.0,21.0

4_Dial0|RealVal=3.5,20.5

5_Dial0|RealVal=3.5,20.5

6_Dial0|RealVal=3.5,20.5

7_Dial0|RealVal=3.25,20.25

8_Dial0|RealVal=3.25,20.25

9_Dial0|RealVal=3.25,20.25

10_Dial0|RealVal=3.25,20.25


Finally, I have added another feature from the NYGM torpedo mod. I lock the torpedo pistol to magnetic to increase the dud rate (magnetic includes contact/impact pistol).

;----------Lock switch to magnetic pistol begin
[2:data\Menu\cfg\Dials.cfg]
;Lock the pistol switch in magnetic position for all the time
ApplyToPeriod=19390101|19450508
ChooseFrom=1
RndMidPat=1

0_Dial2|DialVal=45,45 ; only magnetic
;----------Lock switch to magnetic pistol end


If someone is interested in allowing only the contact/impact pistol from after the Norway campaign until the middle of 1942 (BDU order not to use the magnetic pistol) one has to add:

;----------Lock switch to contact pistol begin
[3:data\Menu\cfg\Dials.cfg]
;Lock the pistol switch in contact position for time period
;After Norway campaign until non-prototype TIII
ApplyToPeriod=19400501|19420531
ChooseFrom=1
RndMidPat=1

0_Dial2|DialVal=-45,-45 ; only contact
;----------Lock switch to contact pistol end


These are the only changes required to Randomised events.cfg. However, there is a small problem. After the game is loaded, the torpedo depth is set to the value given in \data\Library\Torpedo.sim (4m in GWX). If the torpedo running depth has been changed (e.g., 1m deeper) one can now see the offset between the real value (4m for GWX) and the shown value on the dial (one sees a value of 3m, not 5m). Thus, the whole scheme is spoiled . A similar situation arises at a depth of 25m (this is why it was limited to 20m above).

To fix this, I open the file \data\Library\Torpedo.sim with S3D and set all the depth values to the minimal depth chosen above, e.g., in the present case 2m (In principle, this is only required for the torpedoes available before the middle of 1942, i.e., TI, TII, and TIII). With this trick it is no longer possible to find out the offset after loading the game.

One can also use the Randomised events.cfg file for this, but one has to be careful if one is using a modified Torpedo.sim file. For stock SH3, GWX, and NYGM one should add (see post #8):

;----------Adapt initial depth in data\Library\Torpedo.sim for TI,TII,TIII begin----
[0:data\Library\Torpedo.sim]
ApplyToPeriod=19390101|19420531
;Or 19390101|19450508 for whole war
;No randomization
ChooseFrom=1
RndMidPat=1

0_x0CCF=2 ; initial depth for TI
0_x0E7B=2 ; initial depth for TII
0_x0FE7=2 ; initial depth for TIII
;----------Adapt launch depth in data\Library\Torpedo.sim for TI,TII,TIII end----


WARNING 1: These changes only work if the first and third entry in the file data\Menu\cfg\Dials.cfg have not been modded. There are many mods that change the file Dials.cfg, however, I don't think any mod touches these entries. If you are aware of a mod that does it, please tell me.

WARNING 2: If there are more dials added to the game to change the torpedo settings (e.g. to the periscope) one has to add the corresponding dials to the lines above, e.g.,
0_Dial0|RealVal=5.5,22.5
0_Dialxx|RealVal=5.5,22.5
if Dialxx is also a dial for setting the torpedo depth.

WARNING 2: The ordering of the entries above is important. Don't change it!

WARNING 3: Use on your own risk! I don't take any responsibility for any damage done by this.

WARNING 4: One can still change the settings via the TDC directly (with the mouse). Disabling this possibility would require to change more files and reduce the compatibility. So, one should not use the 3d TDC to enter the data.

Finally, I would like to thank...

...the NYGM team, especially Stiebler, for their excellent work on torpedo failures and their ideas. It is highly recommended to read the section about it in the NYGM manual.

...and JScones for the great SH3 Commander that makes randomization possible!

All credits should go to them!

Cheers, LGN1