Ducimus
01-16-06, 04:39 PM
First why an IX? Holdover from AOD i guess. That boat was way too good in AOD, and i think the impression left its mark, so i still tend to be drawn to it.
Anyway im on my 3rd character.
First one, lasted from 40 to late 42. killed by plane. about 12 patrols total. (ive taken to fighting planes, and this one got lucky)
Second one, lasted from mid to late 42 to june 43. 5 patrols , killed by DC.
Third one, from april 43, to january 44, not dead yet, getting ready for 4th or 5th patrol.
Anyway,
from 40 to late 41, night surface attacks are alot of fun. You cant beat an IX boat for this. By late 41 you start seeing early forms of radar, but early to mid 42, i abandoned night surface attacks. Escorts are pretty much ineffective with the ASW.
At 1942, its a whole nother game. No more night surface, a few more toys to play with, and drumbeat. I have discovered at least two places that make the 20 day trip to the US east coast and carribean worth it.
Early 43 is a bit harder, but not too much. Its around MAY or JUNE 43 you see a BIG difference. Not just a few planes, were talking WAVES of planes. The snorkel becomes a neccessity. One thing i just noticed is US convoy escorts in outbound convoys from areas like gibralter. Im so used to seeing US DD's and DE's from operating in the caribean it just didnt click. Attacking a convoy late 43 with US escorts feels like a gamble. My 2nd skipper was sunk during a "routine" convoy attack. First DC attack destroyed the deckgun and the snorkel. I tried to evade for ahwile, and while taking evasive action by going up in depth, flank, and hard turn, i got my stern out from one DC barrage, but walked by bow right into another. That one DC was t he one that did it.
My thrid skipper ive taken to fighting planes. Not realistic, but damn its alot of fun. The last bit into biscay bay is like running the guantlet. Going back to port after a patrol involves three things now:
1.) snorkel to get close to base
2.) flank speed
3.) flak guns manned and ready.
WIthout fail every time, that last stretch into base is hair raising. Also a noticable lack of german fighters in the air.
So ya, if your bored, start a career in may or june, 1943 with an IX boat, games pretty hard :D Right now im questioning if i want to continue or start over in 1942 or 43 with an VIIC/42 (ive modded my own to resemble what "might" have been) and maybe go to the med. Either that or transfer to the 11th. I think these long range patrols are wearing thin on me. On the average they are about 75-77 days in length. (game time)
Anyway im on my 3rd character.
First one, lasted from 40 to late 42. killed by plane. about 12 patrols total. (ive taken to fighting planes, and this one got lucky)
Second one, lasted from mid to late 42 to june 43. 5 patrols , killed by DC.
Third one, from april 43, to january 44, not dead yet, getting ready for 4th or 5th patrol.
Anyway,
from 40 to late 41, night surface attacks are alot of fun. You cant beat an IX boat for this. By late 41 you start seeing early forms of radar, but early to mid 42, i abandoned night surface attacks. Escorts are pretty much ineffective with the ASW.
At 1942, its a whole nother game. No more night surface, a few more toys to play with, and drumbeat. I have discovered at least two places that make the 20 day trip to the US east coast and carribean worth it.
Early 43 is a bit harder, but not too much. Its around MAY or JUNE 43 you see a BIG difference. Not just a few planes, were talking WAVES of planes. The snorkel becomes a neccessity. One thing i just noticed is US convoy escorts in outbound convoys from areas like gibralter. Im so used to seeing US DD's and DE's from operating in the caribean it just didnt click. Attacking a convoy late 43 with US escorts feels like a gamble. My 2nd skipper was sunk during a "routine" convoy attack. First DC attack destroyed the deckgun and the snorkel. I tried to evade for ahwile, and while taking evasive action by going up in depth, flank, and hard turn, i got my stern out from one DC barrage, but walked by bow right into another. That one DC was t he one that did it.
My thrid skipper ive taken to fighting planes. Not realistic, but damn its alot of fun. The last bit into biscay bay is like running the guantlet. Going back to port after a patrol involves three things now:
1.) snorkel to get close to base
2.) flank speed
3.) flak guns manned and ready.
WIthout fail every time, that last stretch into base is hair raising. Also a noticable lack of german fighters in the air.
So ya, if your bored, start a career in may or june, 1943 with an IX boat, games pretty hard :D Right now im questioning if i want to continue or start over in 1942 or 43 with an VIIC/42 (ive modded my own to resemble what "might" have been) and maybe go to the med. Either that or transfer to the 11th. I think these long range patrols are wearing thin on me. On the average they are about 75-77 days in length. (game time)