SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post - First convoy SH3/GWX attack

MarkShot · 05-31-07, 06:58 PM

More comparison impressions between SH3/GWX and AOD (comparing mid-41 in a VIIC):

*** Preparations ***

Depending on what options you use in SH3/GWX, preparing for an attack can be more challenging as you try to plot a track for the convoy. AOD provides you with a strat map course and position marker which gives you everything which you need.

Preparations may be more interesting in AOD. There is a real BDU which may order you to only shadow the convoy as a wolf pack is formed up. Then, after a day or two, the order goes out to attack.

*** Long & Medium Attack ***

The long and medium positioning to attack in AOD is harder. Escorts ping constantly and seem to cover more surface area as they screen the convoy. Additionally, they are generally positioned further out from the convoy ... which could, of course, account for the fact that they seem to move around more. So, getting past the screen is quite a bit more difficult.

In AOD, going deep seems to be a good way to avoid the screen. I haven't really tried that in SH3/GWX, because when moving at 1kts coming to PD takes forever. Diving and surfacing seem quite a bit faster in AOD.

Another thing which makes long and medium positioning in AOD harder than SH3/GWX is that the convoy seems to alter course more frequently and radically in AOD. Zigs occur after, at most, three hours, but can happen in as little as 30 minutes. Zigs will be from 20-60 degrees. However, after playing for a while you learn to anticipate and take advantage of zigs. So, you position your boat where the convoy will be traveling the next time it zigs.

*** Close Attack ***

However, the in close portion of the attack is definitely more challenging in SH3/GWX:

(1) Many merchants seems to be armed.

(2) Escorts are much quicker to spot a scope.

(3) The escorts search for subs within the bounds of the convoy itself. So, they are in much closer proximity as you get ready to shoot.

(4) Some of the SH3 targetting options require considerably more work than AOD. On the other hand, quite a bit of AOD targetting can be done right from the map.

(5) SA tends to be higher in AOD.

(6) Convoys seem to be more tightly packed in SH3/GWX. Thus, the danger of getting run over by merchants is much greater.

*** Disengaging ***

This is harder in AOD:

(1) Escorts coordinate their search activities.

(2) Near misses and accurate DCs seem much more likely.

(3) Due to the above, it becomes necessary to spend battery charge and compressed air in order survive. Thus, resource management becomes much more of an issue when compared to SH3/GWX. You have maybe 7-8 good sprints to survive accurate DCs, and then your batteries are done for. Correspondingly, you have about one hour of compressed air to allow you to stay below test depth. Beyond that your boat will flood and sink.

(4) However, oxygen seems to deplete faster SH3/GWX.

05-31-07, 06:58 PM	#5
MarkShot Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,134 Downloads: 93 Uploads: 0	More comparison impressions between SH3/GWX and AOD (comparing mid-41 in a VIIC): * Preparations * Depending on what options you use in SH3/GWX, preparing for an attack can be more challenging as you try to plot a track for the convoy. AOD provides you with a strat map course and position marker which gives you everything which you need. Preparations may be more interesting in AOD. There is a real BDU which may order you to only shadow the convoy as a wolf pack is formed up. Then, after a day or two, the order goes out to attack. * Long & Medium Attack * The long and medium positioning to attack in AOD is harder. Escorts ping constantly and seem to cover more surface area as they screen the convoy. Additionally, they are generally positioned further out from the convoy ... which could, of course, account for the fact that they seem to move around more. So, getting past the screen is quite a bit more difficult. In AOD, going deep seems to be a good way to avoid the screen. I haven't really tried that in SH3/GWX, because when moving at 1kts coming to PD takes forever. Diving and surfacing seem quite a bit faster in AOD. Another thing which makes long and medium positioning in AOD harder than SH3/GWX is that the convoy seems to alter course more frequently and radically in AOD. Zigs occur after, at most, three hours, but can happen in as little as 30 minutes. Zigs will be from 20-60 degrees. However, after playing for a while you learn to anticipate and take advantage of zigs. So, you position your boat where the convoy will be traveling the next time it zigs. * Close Attack * However, the in close portion of the attack is definitely more challenging in SH3/GWX: (1) Many merchants seems to be armed. (2) Escorts are much quicker to spot a scope. (3) The escorts search for subs within the bounds of the convoy itself. So, they are in much closer proximity as you get ready to shoot. (4) Some of the SH3 targetting options require considerably more work than AOD. On the other hand, quite a bit of AOD targetting can be done right from the map. (5) SA tends to be higher in AOD. (6) Convoys seem to be more tightly packed in SH3/GWX. Thus, the danger of getting run over by merchants is much greater. * Disengaging * This is harder in AOD: (1) Escorts coordinate their search activities. (2) Near misses and accurate DCs seem much more likely. (3) Due to the above, it becomes necessary to spend battery charge and compressed air in order survive. Thus, resource management becomes much more of an issue when compared to SH3/GWX. You have maybe 7-8 good sprints to survive accurate DCs, and then your batteries are done for. Correspondingly, you have about one hour of compressed air to allow you to stay below test depth. Beyond that your boat will flood and sink. (4) However, oxygen seems to deplete faster SH3/GWX. __________________ War games, not wars! --- Only a small few profit from war (that should not stand)!