Odd Destroyer Behavior:

[Majestik 909]

Recently, aboard U-796, I noticed several destroyers come to a stop and actually back up a short distance. I'm not quite sure why, but I have been using this as a convenient time to sink them. Real ships would have a tough time mimicking a movement like that.

Thoughts?

[fireftr18]

If you're playing stock, the ships do some strange things.

[TorpX]

Recently, aboard U-796, I noticed several destroyers come to a stop and actually back up a short distance. I'm not quite sure why, but I have been using this as a convenient time to sink them. Real ships would have a tough time mimicking a movement like that.

Thoughts?

I've seen them do this to avoid collisions. Imo, this is perfectly reasonable. If you are talking about how quickly/easily they can speed up/slow down, that's another matter.

Physics issues have been addressed in mods (to the extent that they can be). Stock physics is rather poor. Super-fast warp acceleration is a known stock issue.

[Majestik 909]

I thought the stop and reverse movement was to aid targeting.....good time to shoot them!

[TorpX]

Normally, a moving destroyer that sees a torpedo will put the rudder hard over to turn, and in so doing will slow abruptly, making it look like they are slamming on the brakes. If they are stationary, they will accelerate quickly to get out of the way, and then turn. Obviously, they cannot turn without moving.

I've never seen one back up without reason, but they often will slow to listen, if they are having trouble locating some sneaky submarine.

[ColonelSandersLite]

How many destroyers you talking about? If it's a bunch of them trying to make a pass on a single location, it might well be the stock AI + stock physics + collision avoidance routines acting up.

[Gibus]

Recently, aboard U-796, .....Thoughts?
Bonjour,

Play SH4 with U-Boat, it is the dog s***. Ubi should be in jail for this deception.

[Al Lowe]

I've seen Japanese destroyers going in reverse while patrolling in front of a harbor, for no apparent reason. They didn't know I was there, I was watching from a distance, and was trying to line up a shot on them. Thing was, with them going in reverse, it screwed with my TDC, which apparently didn't realize they were going in the opposite direction.

[Gibus]

There is a reason. When a destroyer detects an ennemy signal, she goes straight to the reported item. She ignores any obstacles on his way. When she encounters an obstacle, she can not bypass it, she goes in reverse.
TDC automatic does not interpret this.

[TorpX]

Yes, if they find themselves in a situation where they could go aground, they might have to back up.

[Al Lowe]

There is a reason. When a destroyer detects an ennemy signal, she goes straight to the reported item. She ignores any obstacles on his way. When she encounters an obstacle, she can not bypass it, she goes in reverse.
TDC automatic does not interpret this.
I was outside the destroyer's hydrophone range, and after she finished going in reverse, she started going forward again. And there was NOTHING, in her way that I could see. But, I've seen stranger stuff, like a Japanese battleship running over a Destroyer that was just about in position to attack my sub. :)

[Majestik 909]

Ditto on collisions between ships!

[Armistead]

One thing I haven't seen in campaign type mods is using the elite value for crew ratings. I use RSRD and edited a good majority of ships, even merchants to elite, just because they respond better, but escorts really attack very aggressive. I noticed on elite, they will drop much further in front of you and they come in using many angles. One escort was sitting stationary and I creep behind him escaping, he backed up about 50 yards slowly and dumped a load on me.

[Hambone307]

That sounds like a fun challenge to add into the Midway single mission

[Majestik 909]

More strange destroyer behavior....mostly backing up and inching forward in the same instant as if inertia does not apply...