A Type IX Conundrum

[u35_captain]

I put this before the board.

I have enjoyed great success in a Type IXB. But now it's September, 1943 - and Lorient is starting to send me to AM88 - and after one mission there, it is entirely too unhealthy for my liking.

Now, I've enough renown to get a Type IXD2. And acquiring it will, it seems, get me sent back out into the far atlantic, where I'm liking it. But! This means sacrificing all my toys that good ol' U-105 has acquired - engine upgrades, sonar/rader, coatings, shnorkel, the works.

So what's the best option?

[soopaman2]

I always stayed with the upgraded early models of my boats, once I switched from type V11 to IX (late war).

I found that it is more of skill of the skipper, than the overall tech of the boat. (In my Opinion, of course:))

The game is always the same when you happen on a convoy no matter what the boat.

And Onkel Karl never seems to care where you patrol, just what you deep six.

You appear worried about treacherous patrol areas. Then just humor them. Patrol at a near crawl speed, submerged for 24 hours, just to appease (if you RP it as I do, HQ don't seem to care where you go honestly)

Then go to where the pickings are good/where you feel comfortable. Empty your torpedoes, and crawl home alive.:salute:

Personal opinion ahead:
I honestly find the type IXB a little better on the e-dive than its updated cousin. Which in late war situations is important, with aircraft.

I usually roll with a top notch type VII in my late games, less ordinance, but dives faster. I tend to play more defensive than most kaleuns.

[GT182]

Use SH3 Commander, you can cancel BDU's grid choice and pick the grid you wish to patrol at the start of a mission.

[u35_captain]

You appear worried about treacherous patrol areas. Then just humor them. Patrol at a near crawl speed, submerged for 24 hours, just to appease (if you RP it as I do, HQ don't seem to care where you go honestly)

Then go to where the pickings are good/where you feel comfortable. Empty your torpedoes, and crawl home alive.:salute:

Personal opinion ahead:
I honestly find the type IXB a little better on the e-dive than its updated cousin. Which in late war situations is important, with aircraft.


Just wanted to say thank you to everybody - ended up sticking with the IXB.

As for the humoring - did that and it still was a bit of a problem. Had a couple destroyer scares just hiding in the very corner of a grid. Started to schnorkel and Sunderlands showed up - the only planes I fear :P

But the Type IXB...it's a few days away from January of '44, and the worst I've ever gotten was slight bomb damage from an Avenger. Haven't lost a man. This is a *durable* boat, and I'm glad I stuck with her.

[Missing Name]

I like to imagine that as my career goes on, the boats age and maintenance becomes more difficult. So, I start with a IXB, play till 1942 or so, and then transfer to a IXC. The old IXB goes into training flotillas and such. Later (late 1944 or so) on in the war, if I "survive" a sinking, I'll go back to an old IXB or VIIB because at that point every boat was needed, regardless of age and state of wear.

...remember, the IXB's were the most successful class out of all the u-boats!