Hi all,
there is a long discussion about the torpedo problems in the old NYGM manuals NYGM_Tonnage_War_Manual 2_0.pdf and NYGM_Tonnage_War_Manual 2.2a.pdf. Basically, the NYGM team forces the player to use the magnetic pistol because it has a higher chance of exploding prematurely (but still much too low according to the NYGM team). In addition, it's possible to randomize the running depth of the torpedo via SH3 Commander in a way that the player will not see it.
However, the problem is that if you know about the depth keeping issue, it's quite easy to avoid it (as in real life). And since it's hard to erase this knowledge now... In SH3 you can get a dud rate very close to zero by just using the impact pistol and 90° AOB shots. With magnetic pistol I guess you can get a slightly higher rate but not much (if you use them like impact torpedoes).
So, in SH3 torpedoes more or less work perfectly with the right settings even when using the SH3 Commander depth-keeping issue mod and magnetic pistols. However, I don't know how unrealistic this is
The problem is that we know about the issues now and it's not easy to simulate the 'not knowing'.
If someone has any hard facts about the reliability of the impact pistol (apart from the depth keeping issue), I would love to know it. I have been wondering about this already quite some time.
Cheers, LGN1