How do you deploy a BOLD?

[Wintahs]

First time I made it to '42 ;D


I just equiped U-69 with a BOLD decoy, but how do you actually use it?

[Jimbuna]

Go to the Maneuvers key (propellor) and select the sub icon with the small specks above the stern (I use integrated orders).

[Wintahs]

Yeah, I use IO too. Thanks.

[sharkbit]

Get the set keys program and set it up to deploy with a simple, quick key stroke.

I have decoys set to deploy by hitting SHIFT+D.

No more trying to remember what icon it is under in the heat of the moment. :damn:

:)

[meduza]

Press the "J" key.

[Task Force]

1 st, you gotta buy the BOLD launcher....

I have the j key as the launcher.

[TigerShark808]

How about... how do you use it? As in when do you launch it? and what manuvers do you take after you have launched it?

[PavelKirilovich]

KOBOLD ("Bold" for short) is an accoustic decoy. If you have an alka-seltzer tablet handy, go get one, a glass of water, and watch what happens. It's like that, but on U-boat scale.

The decoy deploys from the stern. This is an important note. Hydrophone operators are typically able to distinguish between kobolds and a U-boat's cavitation noise or machinery noise, which is why they weren't tremendously effective in the real world (to my knowledge). However, SH3 AI have handicaps that real world operators don't. You'll find Kobolds most useful against ASW vessels carrying depth charges (hereafter "wabos", shorthand for "Wasserbomben", e.g. depth charge or depth bombs), as they have to break sonar contact with you as they pass overhead. Ships with Hedgehog (forward firing antisubmarine weapon) can maintain an active sonar (ASDIC) contact.

I find them most effective as "screens". When an ASW boat is on an attack run approaching from my stern quarter, I often put my stern straight at her to minimize my U-boats ASDIC profile. I then pop a kobold and manouevre behind the screen, hard portside/starboard turns. Or, I change depth and alter course less drastically. Sometimes, hard course changes and depth changes are the way to go; but keep in mind your boat will need more engine power for that to happen quickly. It may be advisable to ring up to Ahead 1/3rd or even Ahead Full temporarily while screened by the kobold decoy, being sure to go back to silent running at Ahead Slow once the aspect changes enough that the kobold is no longer between your boat and the ASW vessel. This requires some three-dimensional thinking.

Remember that the kobold won't always screen you from the enemy, but also remember that hearing pings in the water does not equate to the enemy pinging you, specifically. I find lateral manouevre to be more effective than vertical manouevre, though if your boat can handle it (VIIC/41), get very very deep and they can't hit you with their depth charges. I believe the quoted figure is 300m. This of course depends on seafloor conditions.