[CapnScurvy]

Before you go leaving RSRDC for something better....which I don't think exists for now. You could try modding only the merchant files found in the Data/Campaigns/Campaign folder. The files are based on specific years during the war, with specific naming like "42a", or "42b". Look for the "Jap Merchants" file, or the "Tankers" file of the various years. Open them with Notepad. I wouldn't bother with the "Coastal Merchants" files, their mainly setting up the Sampans and fishing routes.

As I pointed out, look for increasing the spawning precentages of the various routes, and the decreasing of minimum time between spawning events (open the stock files to see what they have done with the same parameters.....you'll get an idea of what needs to be done to increase route activity). You could change the "Contact Report" parameters as you go too.

Just don't expect to get things done in a sitting or two. There are hundreds of specific possible routes to change, but once the merchant routes are increased, I think you'll find a distinct improvement in merchant activity.

As Armistead said, don't mess with RSRDC's capital ship Task Force files. Any changes there could easily mess up the excellent work Lurker worked on for following historic operations.

Pull out the Campaign/Merchant files of his "RSRDC Patch_1" mod to try making your changes. Don't mess with the dates he has in the Patch (that's what the Patch is for anyway!). With some work, I think you'll find a better game play.