A question of style.

[c13Garrison]

Given that "port raiding" isn't exactly 'fair', given that the game certainly doesn't model it well, I sense that the real challenge is to go after convoys & TF's. This seems to be well reflected by our established captains in the community. Yet I am curious to know if there is a certain point at which the experienced Subsim captain will begrudgingly look at their fuel guage and decide to go for a harbour to at least get some tonnage before patrol's end.

Do folks make this call, or is it more 'realistic' to return to base with unshot torpedoes and a "zero" on the tonnage card?

Particularly interested in your views Bubbs. ;-)

[Admiral Halsey]

That's more or less what I do.

[Bubblehead1980]

Given that "port raiding" isn't exactly 'fair', given that the game certainly doesn't model it well, I sense that the real challenge is to go after convoys & TF's. This seems to be well reflected by our established captains in the community. Yet I am curious to know if there is a certain point at which the experienced Subsim captain will begrudgingly look at their fuel guage and decide to go for a harbour to at least get some tonnage before patrol's end.

Do folks make this call, or is it more 'realistic' to return to base with unshot torpedoes and a "zero" on the tonnage card?

Particularly interested in your views Bubbs. ;-)


Depends on a variety of factors...

Far as realism is concerned or the challenge factor.Which harbor? It's geography etc, what is in it once have reconnoitered it? Some Captains in RL got bored/frusrated with lack of targets in area(esp in later war) and would check out harbors.The Barb and Namkwan Harbor in 1945 and Tirante in Cheju Harbor in 1945 rings a bell, these were ballsy but calculated attacks.They had the advantage of surprise, being in a fast moving sub on the surface at night.

I think it all depends on how you want to operate as far as realism or the challenge involved concerns.Should someone be just fine(having fun) raiding harbors racking up tonnage or are just bored bc of lack of contacts, that is okay.However, patience usually pays off esp in RSRD, there have been many times where I aimlessly patrol an area in RSRD for days on end with only a plane or two on patrol comes around, questioning why in the world lurker made this a patrol assignment(he knew where he made big TF and convoys go through during this time period) getting low on fuel, and boom, a large convoy or important TF sails right into my crosshairs and I go home happy.Now, had I been off raiding a harbor, wasting torpedoes, would not have been in right time and place.That is the beauty of the sim though, its rather open, player has a lot of discretion and can modify his actions and game settings so can get what he wants out of his time on patrol.
.

[TorpX]

Given that "port raiding" isn't exactly 'fair', given that the game certainly doesn't model it well....

Do folks make this call, or is it more 'realistic' to return to base with unshot torpedoes and a "zero" on the tonnage card?


I don't like the idea of harbor raiding, at least as it exists in the game. IMO, if you are intending to play the sim in a realistic fashion, you must accept that there will be patrols that don't go your way. (This is a lot like playing DID, actually.)

If the game was balanced and realistic, low/zero tonnage patrols would happen fairly often, so I don't consider this to be an unspeakable tragidy.

[Armistead]

I find harbor raiding so boring I don't waste my time, unless it's a port I've reworked. I don't even attack singles. However, I certainly did it for the first few years, now I pretty much know where to find heated action at anytime.

[merc4ulfate]

I only attack rum runners :salute:... and I never sink them :doh:... that would be a waste of good rum. :yeah:

:dead::rotfl2:

[fireftr18]

I only attack rum runners :salute:... and I never sink them :doh:... that would be a waste of good rum. :yeah:

:dead::rotfl2:

AYE! :()1:

[grislyatoms]

If I'm near a likely port, I may see what is there. More often than not, I don't bother, particularly if the approaches are shallow. I like to stay in/near as possible to deep water.

[agrims]

I as well only attack certain harbors, and only at certain times. If it is rainy, or foggy, or a new moon, I will venture in on top, and I won't go fast either. I have found using the game that I use speed escaping, but when stalking, I go nice and easy to keep the wake signature down. The game is modled sort of for this, and in history, going in slow was the way to go in the early war, on all sides, shallow or deep. Being a Navy guy helps!

One of the hardest to hit is Cavite after the Japanese take it over. Very shallow, and there tends to be many escorts and subchasers there. Don't try Truk, it is too easy but great for tonnage. In my years of playing this game though, I am all about the historical aspect, so if I go in kill-less, it was war, and sometimes war sucks...

[Rammstein0991]

Let me lay it out for you, who CARES what the hecklers say, you're job is to sink Japanese shipping wherever you find it, if it so happens to be sitting idle in a harbor, just makes the job all the more easier :haha:

[Bothersome]

For me, not any more. Harbor ship don't offer any challenge, unnnless you've got a few destroyers on guard. Then it can be a little fun.

But what I like the most is finding something in the poring rain. Use the radar to plot a track and get a speed estimate. Then get in front and submerged with not even a periscope to assist (other than setting up the TDC). Then when the sonar guys calls out that special target bearing I turn on the tracker on the TDC. Then just let the dogs lose, and listen for that deep bass music.

Of course, I like the surface ship battles too. Something about brute force that tells the enemy, "I go where I please."

[CalolinaCoyote]

When I get deployed near the Bismarck Sea, I like to go hang out near Rabual, intercept ships leaving/entering port.

[MarkCt]

I was just like everyone else in the beginning. Easy pickings for tonnage especially at Truk where the big fleet lies. Then it got boring because nobody came after you after your attack. If I have to go into a harbor to take pictures, like Rabual then I'll sink whatever I find before I leave. Most time there is some type of escorts in there to make it a challenge.