The Great U-boat Debate.

[Phaedrus]

I am wondering if we might post our thoughts on the pros, cons, differences, preferences, etc of the VIIC and variants, and IX's - and even those strange Type II's and IXD2s.

Basically, which boat do you use and why?

This thread has been posted a million times probably....
And yet, I can't seem to reliably locate any info using the search.
That displeases me.

So, I was wondering if maybe we could generate some discussion and then have it 'stickied' up top for quick reference - and interesting reading!


Ever anxious to improve and learn, I am curious to see what boats the members of the community use, how they use them, and why.
Diving depth, torpedo load out, upgrades, range.... I figured the only way I'd ever learn the nuances of all the boats was by going to the community, as I try to take my GWX careers as seriously as possible (I don't like to die, dying means restarting from scratch).
Unfortunately, that limits my learning curve.

As a recent VIIC convert from an IXC, my reason is mainly survivability.
I've never had the pleasure of trying a VIIC/41 / 42, as I have tried my best to stick with my old faithful IXB-IXC....
.... but now that my first GWX 2.1 career has come to an end in March of 1944, I have moved into a VIIC for good I think.

The extra torpedoes I will miss, and the 10 cm gun, but not the extra fuel.
My Drumbeat trips never were all that exciting for me, and I prefer to hunt the Western approaches and the waters North of Ireland anyway.
(Since I make my living in shallow water, the smaller boat is also a must... though having said that, I've never used an IXD2 - so any one wheeling that bus around let me know what it's all about)

We all know the VII's handle a little better than the IX's, but it also seems to me that the VIIC withstands depth charging with less damage than my old IXC, and I'm told that the VIIC/41 can dive the deepest of any boat.
Thats my quick and dirty rationale.

I will post a little more on my own tactics and thoughts a little later (I am alt-tabbed out of the game for a moment to write this post - realism be damned!), but I look forward to the opinions of the public at large.



Regards,



Phaedrus

[richardphat]

My favourite uboat is the VIIC equiped with a deck gun and the VIIC/4 conning tower. It provide me a great interest, the ship has more shell in reserve. Also i said VIIC type are easier to control. VIIC satisfy me alot, even with its lack of torpedo reserve I still manage to take ship with the deck gun!
Havent tried the VIIC/41 yet but I only trust the original version of VIIC, it is a bit useless to waste renown for a similar uboat!

[Wolfehunter]

Well VIIC/41 look good especially with tomi_099 model being finished. I also like IXD2 for its long distances and payload of weapons. Type twos are like fast food. Taste great but you can't enjoy it slowly. Its hard to say which is better. Each have there ups and downs. I like them all but I favior the type sevens, they look more sleek and dangerous.:hmm:

[Jimbuna]

IX for range and additional ordnance.

Your also right in your assumption about the number of times this has been asked http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

[Konovalov]

Type II if you like cute, cuddly or quirky. ;)

I've been a Type IX man myself for quite some time. Plenty of range and plenty of torps. Good hunting around the East coast of the USA and also the beautiful Caribbean. Tankers fr the taking there. Just don't take the IX in shallow water or small waterways. She loves the open seas.

Right now I am going to give the Type IID a go. First impression is just how cquickly this little tin can dives comared to the Type IX series. :yep:

[STEED]

Here we go again. :zzz:


IX Boats are big and sexy with a arsenal of firepower and you get to see the world.

PS: Pure bloody Girl bait.

[Brag]

I likem BIG. So IX it is (though temporarily on a VII).

[rifleman13]

If you like to scare Churchill in his backyard: use a Type II!:rotfl:

If you want to see the bright lights of Broadway: use a Type IX!:rock:

If you want balance of firepower and diving time: use a Type VII!:arrgh!:

[Ducimus]

U Boat type is irrelevant. Preference on patrol area is everything because it dictates the boat type you will need to use.

[Brer Rabbit]

Being a relative NUB to this Sim, my experience is only with the Type IIA & D and the Type VIIC. I am currently running two simultaneous careers. Both start in 39. The first is with stock SH3 and I just finished my 14th patrol, the early patrols were with the Type II, which I enjoyed for their quick diving, and low visibility. That being said the torp load and lack of a deck gun were often a source of frustration. I upgraded to a Type VIIC as soon as I acquired enough renoun. I have emensly enjoyed the VIIC. I it has adequate speed, quick diving, good range and a good deck gun. The torpedo load is adequate to date, Have yet to come home with any torpedos and with nothing but starshells and AA ammo left. Patrols are long enough to keep me and the crew attentive. Iam currently in FEB 41 in this career, so the old salts on the net are much more able to address the boats effectiveness as the war grinds on.
My second patrol has on my second patrol in a Type IIA. using GWX. If the rest I my patrols are a fruitless as these two, I see a career drifting around the north sea in this little canoe. At my current rate The war will be over or I will be blowing bubbles from the deep. The only positive side is that there are quick turn arounds and I can always hope for a few fruitful patrols.

Brer Rabbit will stay in the briar patch until the cows come home

[Bismarck]

Type II is far too small for me i prefer the VIIC for the med and the area around Britain but i use IX to explore in :arrgh!:


XXIs have my favourite flak gun type though. No more sneaky sniping by 50 cals ;)

[Hartmann]

IX-B and IX-C

But in 1943-1945 is a big problem stay in well protected areas and convoy battles are very difficult because Air cover make it near impossible , survive is not easy.
The wolf is now a vulture looking for food.

Stay in deck awash is a good advice, despite the fuel and speed reduction. because planes can jump over your back everytime and everyplace.:dead:

In the late years you need snorkel and radar detectors or go to far patrol grids, like africa or caribbean.

[kaarlo]

IX-series for me. I like the firepower and the ability to see the world. :up: Port raiding in Caribbean is my favourite thing.

[rifleman13]

Stay in deck awash is a good advice, despite the fuel and speed reduction. because planes can jump over your back everytime and everyplace.:dead:

How do stay decks awash? Everytime I order a shallow depth (just 7m), the my watch crew doesn't want to go to the watch tower.

Thnx

[Hartmann]

Strange, i use GWX and i can stay at deck awash at 7 meters, this save a lot of time in a crash dive :hmm:

[UnderseaLcpl]

Type IX for one reason only.... TORPEDOES TORPEDOES TORPEDOES!

I would gladly throw out my bunk space and a quarter of my crew for more torpedo space.

[Red Heat]

For all rolls in the Atlantic warfare: VII B or VII C...and its over! :)

[U-84]

IX series for me...extra firepower, range and torps...though i always start my career with a VIIB due to the very well balanced torpedoes and diving ability. Never was a big fan of the IID or IIA...never liked the lack of torpedoes, firepower, or range, though using this U-boat turns u into a excellent marksman with the torpedoes, as it did with me.

[Sailor Steve]

There is no debate here. You take the boat BdU assigns you.

No, wait, this is a game. We actually have a choice.:oops:

I run several concurrent careers, one from each available flotilla; so depending upon the date I've advanced to I might be in command of any boat at any time.:sunny:

[Ivan Putski]

IXc here, long range, plenty of torps, also prefer the view from the bridge over the type VII. As stated elsewhere, a/c is your biggest problem, I run decks awash, and always crash dive if a/c are spotted. Puts

[Teh_Diplomat]

Depends on my career choice. I realized I would end up saving my renown and spending it on a IXC later in the years, but then had buyers remorse for the fact that my patrols take longer, as does my chances of escaping an air strafe lower.


So what I did was create two simultaneous careers. One for my VIIC which patrols the North Atlantic, and then an IXC career for the West Coast of Africa.

This is the best alternative as you save your renown, and if you're in the mood for maximum destruction and traveling, you choose the IXC, if however you want to remain stealthy and havethe best chances of survival and shorter patrols you get the Type Sevens'.