[vois2]

I'm finding RuB 1.43 to be amazing. I really didn't expect it to be THIS damn good, but then again the folks who team to produce RuB don't mess around with mediocrity. A few observations after spending the last 48 hours holed up in a dark room... ///(1) I've had only one BdU-generated convoy contact report during Sep-Jan 1939/40, and I think that's just about right. In previous RuB versions with the same gameplay style of patroling the Western approaches, I feel there were always more convoy reports. In fact during those 5 months I have encountered only two convoys. (I chanced upon the second one by hydrophone.) ///(2) The Improved Convoys alteration makes all the difference in calling for more Kaleun-like raids of convoys. Previously, it seemed that I ALWAYS knew the relative position of escorts to the lanes. This positional relationship never changed as far as I could tell. Now with RuB 1.43, I found that my first convoy had the usual lead destroyer, and then a second destroyer working back very close to, but in front of, the middle lanes. I believe there were 3 additional destroyers as well on the sides (based on sound and smokestacks). This same convoy as well had 'zigzag-within' oil tankers, dashing in and out of several columns to make for much more challenging targeting. I've seen that before in the stock version, but only rarely. ///(3) I'm finding that some single ship 'discovered' targets are zigzagging as a matter of normal course, and this is different. I don't think there is any way I was discovered, anyhow, beyond 6k - so my conclusion is that these targets had a zig in the zag even before I came along. ///(4) I'm learning to keep it Slow while traveling on the surface at night. This because of the quick damage a surface gun can do to you. Even with a top notch watch crew, if a small gun boat appears out of the night he can poke some fast holes in your supper and do surprising damage. I try to keep my wake appearance smaller even at night because of this. /// (5) Perhaps it is merely luck, but there has been MUCH less weather, and no two-week storms. ///(6) Surprisingly, my first patrol yielded probably the highest tonnage I have ever had in a patrol since converting to 100% realism a few months ago. However, I was judiciously patient and plotting during that patrol, so perhaps CCIP's remark that RuB 1.43 rewards the patient, strategy-prone Kaleun, could not be stated in a better way. ///(7) You would think that for as long as I have been playing this game (almost 5 months) I would have seen some naval task forces, but I had not, until a chance encounter with a Nelson BB (2 of 'em) force in AM35. My sad story like so many others is that this beautiful target was only 5k in distance from me, but headed in absolutely the opposite direction at 30 kts. All I could do is snap some reccy shots and weep. //(8) I'm taking CCIPs advice that planes are killers, and I have had more encounters (but an appropriate amount - it feels right) than I am accustomed. This really spices up the game to know fear. ///(9) I haven't really paid much attention to graphical enhancements as they are/were listed out in text form, but whatever the combo, RuB 1.43 is the most beautiful version of the game I have played since 1.0 came out. The detail and hard work of the original graphic designers really comes out to play with the noted improvements here. Wow! ///(10) What have you noticed in RuB 1.43?

Rub 1.43 patrols below

Patrol 1
U-52, 7th Flotilla (Kiel)
Dep: 01/09/1939
patrolling AM18
kills:
(2) C3
(1) C2
(1) T2
33,029 tonnes (4 ships)
Arr: 28/09/1939
no damage
1790 renown awarded
no promotions for crew
no medals for crew
player promoted to Oberleutnant z.S.
played 08,09 August 2005


Patrol 2
patrolling BF17
Dep: 29/10/1939
kills:
(1) C2
(1) coastal merchant
(1) small merchant
10,795 tonnes (3 ships)
Arr: 28/11/1939
Visual spot of task force with probable two Nelson BB
22:00 AM35 20/11/1939
no damage
1120 renown awarded
no promotions for crew
22 u-boat war badges
player awarded Iron Cross, 2nd class
played 09,10 August 2005