Wolfpack mod
 

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I succeeded to make a German sub which moves at the periscope depth and attacks Allied shipping with "virtual" torpedoes. The "virtual" torpedoes are invisible 14-inch guns. Unfortunately, I could not get rid of the flash/smoke/traces when guns are firing but it is not really noticable or understandable what is going on, especially when DDs/escorts are attacking submerged AI subs.Since it was not pissible to limit the ammo amount, the gun rotation/elevation is greatly limited and the sub can fire only directly ahead. The sub can be used for creating wolfpacks.

Instructions for use in missions/campaign:

1. The Height value in the unit section, describing the sub in MIS file, should be set to zero. The sub will not move at negative Heights. The sub can not change the depth, i.e. can not dive or surface.

2. It is essential to set the highest speed for the sub to minimize firing time at the target, since it was not possible to limit the ammo amount or firing rate for the guns.Furthermore, DDs/escorts somewhat easy detect the sub and it will not have many chances to survive at low speeds.Note! Since the game somehow subtracts 3 knots from the specified speed in the MIS file, the maximum speed should be set to 11 knots. Then the sub will have 8 knots speed, which is in accord with technical specifications.

I have enclosed a single mission to test wolfpack action.Five AI subs are attacking a convoy with four escorts. The convoy is coming from the player's right-hand side and AI subs are on the right-hand side as well. The mission is rather for observation than for playing. I usually set the speed to one third and switch to AI sub with F12. It is actually interesting to see the difference in attacing efficiency of various DDs.

Unfortunately, Devs has set too high surviving ability for subs. However, when I took it down to the realistic level, the subs were not able to get through the escort screen to the convoy at all. I had to increase it a bit. Nevertheless, the outcome of the mission is very different every time. Sometimes the subs do get to the convoy, sometimes they do not.

http://usx218.fysik.uu.se/users/Serg...Wolfpack01.jpg

http://usx218.fysik.uu.se/users/Serg...Wolfpack02.jpg

http://usx218.fysik.uu.se/users/Serg...Wolfpack03.jpg

http://usx218.fysik.uu.se/users/Serg...Wolfpack04.jpg

Download is available on my site.

Great Sergei! :up:

Feedback later.


Rubini.

:o :cool:

You're amazing!

Great work.

But the subs don't drive themselves, I assume. If that is so, then how useful might this mod be? I mean if they have to be scripted, then how would they attack targets in the campaign mode? A ship would have to cross directly in front of their path in order for them to fire...

But besides that, I think that it is a good innovation. Good job sergbuto.

Great work! :up:

Now we should probably try to find a way to spawn wolfpack attacks triggered by your convoy sightings. I think there's some stuff regarding triggers in the mission builder, but I'm not sure it can work in the campaign. Maybe we could spawn packs from "naval bases" positioned in the middle of the ocean near likely convoy routes, although this would still be leaving a lot up to chance...

hope it isnt too hard to install because that sounds ********N sweet

Isn't the 'send contact report' meant to send friendly planes/destroyers to help you attack something? If it actually does work, then I'm sure it could be changed to call in u-boats :)

Good work serbguto.... At least now we will have something
of a wolfpack to help us sink enemy ships. BTW, that small
orange circle with arrow on water surface that tells where
your sub is. It seems to be missing from my campaign and I
would like to have it back. Would make my job much easier
to locate my sub without having to dive down & check it...


JIM

Very good mod Sergbuto,i'm actually doing "evaluation test" about submarine survivability
The AI boat has taken 2 G7es torpedo in the engine room that stopped her,but is not sinking.
Actually seems a bit normal because a player U-Boat can withstand AT LEAST two torpedoes(Tryed myself with FAT)
But i never came out of that without SEVERE flooding.It seems those new boat are much more strong.
Now,excuse me,my WE called me...the last tube is ready :arrgh!:

Keep up the good work Sergbuto!

EDIT:
She needed another two torpedo to sink.I have to try with several torpedo hit in more than one compartment.
:-?
EDIT 2:
Three hit from AOB 90 killed her
:D

Bravo sergbuto.....I look forward to using this!

:up:

-Jeff

It will be as useful as other new units. Every ship in the campaign needs to be scripted in (except maybe for DDs spawned on alert) including convoys. The wolfpack subs can be scripted in ambush on a patrol route constantly crossing a convoy route and the player can be called via radio to joint the wolfpack.

The AI subs are subject to the collision avoidance routine. When they get inside the convoy, they may sink most of it while trying to avoid any collision because the subs start to turn quite early.

AI subs can be made weaker but then DDs kill them too easily and the sub can't get through to the convoy. It is a compromise.

The subs sink slowly, but they will eventually sink. I do not think you need to use more torpedoes.

Another thing
I dont receive tonnage for the sinking.Only on "Axis unit lost=1",but not the tonnage.

That's really great news. I can't wait for that to be included in RUB or the Ops Mod!! Absolutely thrilling. We now only have to see whether we have to boost up the escorts a little bit more, since now several escorts may attack a heavily screened convoy, and I often managed to enter the convoy alone though no wolfpack helped me with distracting the escorts :) So it's all about balance again, but I guess that can be tweaked with a little time. Now if someone found a way to kill the bugs in the milk cow mod, the game would be perfect :)

Thanks again!!! :rock: :rock:

You're not supposed to sink your own wolfpack and receive tonnage for that :-j

But if i sink the Bismarck or the commerce raider,the game give me credit for the tonnage

Hi Sergei,
Hi guys:


I just finish 3 convoys with wolf pack to be merge with the HT mod. The Aiuboats (2 or 3) runs in a parallel course in both sides and just ahead of the convoy. The player receive a radio message calling (which are set at 50% ) for the wolfpack, 1 or 2 days before the action and at a probable specific time (to simulate a coordinate attack). So the player have time (the convoy is at slow speed) do join and in the correct time the Aiuboats makes a turn to intercept the convoy. It's all scripted and is awesome to receive the message, accompany the convoy/aiuboats and in the correct time start to look and participate of the hunting...Great, great!

I will release this stuff in a few days with the updated milk cow!

Rubini.

Should be exciting to play through. :up:

@Rubini
Thanks that's great news as well :) It's also good to hear that you're on the milk cow mod as well. I'm really looking foward to this. That's the best news in months on this game. :up: :rock: :up: :rock: :up:


@Sergbuto
Are the wolfpack AI uboats able to surface and submerge on attack or do they stay submerged all the time?

Sounds promising but IMHO this mod might need some additional work before I'd want it included in other mods, RUB/Ops/Improved Convoys/H.T..

I'm not trying to be harsh but:

Do the A.I. Subs continue to cruise w/ their periscope up (after being spotted) and allow themselves to get rammed/run over by enemy DD?

Do the A.I. subs exhibit Muzzle Flashes when firing their "Virtual Torpedos"?

Do the A.I. subs act "Uber" due to unlimited "gun" ammo (sinking many ships and scoring hits every few seconds)?

Do the A.I. subs' "Virtual Torpedos" impact the upper structure of ships, like when they get "deck" gunned (blowing off masts and cargo and such)?


I just think some of these things (if true) might distract a little from realism (arcade), in an attempt to provide us with much needed A.I. wolfpacks.