RSRDC and Historic Accuracy

[Soundman]

I've been playing RSRDC now for a month or two and have not come accross many IJN vessels. I love the way the missions are designed, but looking to see a little more intense action engaging military units. It seems I read sometime back, that someone was researching dates of famous battles before going on patrol, then after finishing their first objective, would go to where the action is/(was). Does this really work? It seems if that were the case, it would be like a cheat, like being able to go back in time. It does however, sound like fun. If this does work, could someone recommend a website lising the dates of historic battles? Thanks!

[M. Sarsfield]

Soundman, refer to this thread... http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=133064

[Soundman]

Ah, nice listing of info there, thanks MS! Again though, does going to these areas usually result with finding IGN units?

[M. Sarsfield]

Some people have been successful in finding the IJN fleet for the Battle of Midway - I got buzzed by a lot of zeroes, but never saw the fleet. Lurker would be the one to ask regarding how many major engagements that he has incorporated into RSRDC.

[THE_MASK]

Dont tell me , i dont want to know . Imagine my jubilation after finding something after 2 patrols with nothing

[Quillan]

So far, having 6 or so patrols in TMO with RSRDC, the only IJN units I've encountered (other than convoy escorts) has been one single task force that consisted of two Kongo battleships and two destroyers. I got advance radio notice of the TF, intercepted it, and sank one of the Kongos.

[Soundman]

Well Quillan, you are having much better luck than I ! That's the kind of action I've been awaiting. I should have mentioned, I too, am running TMO along with RSRDC. I'm not complaining by any means. I'm thrilled with the gameplay and very appreciative to the modders.

Maybe I've just had bad luck and/or need to be more patient. I must also admit I've changed carreers so many times due to the constant improvements with this game, that the farthest I've been into the war is maybe late 1943, early 1944. Although I've probably completed well over a 150 patrols, I have yet to run into a major IJN convoy, or even a battleship. Once I did come across a lone carrier and managed to put her down, but shortly thererafter, a new patch surfaced and like many others, started a new carreer. I'm dying to come across the "Yamatto" or anything close to a "battleship". I'll hang in there, what a great game this is. On the other hand, it must be the thrill of the hunt and the wish for the perfect quarry, keeping us all interested in playing. I am a true simmer at heart, whether it be a modern sim such as Dangerous Waters or my all time favorite, Falcon 4.0. (Yeah Multivipers!)

To close, my targeting has become superb, I just feel the need for more of a challenge than just merchants. Bring on the big boys!

[Quillan]

I think I'm about to get right in the middle of the Marianas Island campaign. In my most recent patrol, I left June 12, 1944 from Majuro, ordered to deploy to the Straits of Luzon. So far, between 13 June and 16 June, I've had a host of flash traffic messages of massive IJN naval movement, all heading northeast in the direction of the Phillipine Sea. I did a little cut/paste in Photoshop to show you:



Let's see what I can find. So far, if the reports are accurate, it's at least 6 battleships, 4 fleet carriers and 11 cruisers, plus assorted other escorts and oilers. Wish me luck.

[AVGWarhawk]

The thing with RSRD is Lurker has created something very similar to what was experienced on patrols during WW2. Days upon days of nothing; then you find what you came out to find. It sort of makes you very aggressive to get a sinking! Sure, it would seem to be a cheat of sorts if you know when a major battle will take place and attempt to make it, but, as much as I have played with this mod, I have yet to be remotely close. You do get reports and with any luck, you are around to attempt a intercept. Rest assured, the ships are there to sink. Just have to find them. A successful patrol is bagging 2-3 vessels. Do this over a course of 5-6 patrols and you will move up to new construction. Most importantly, complete the assigned patrol area. I will not say that RSRD will frustrate you. It will...just as frustrated as the skipper and crews who patrolled for days and had nothing to show for it. Then, out of nowhere, your watch sees a vessel or vessels and all hell breaks loose.

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

I started a career in Task Force 8.5 out of Dutch Harbour and sailing East. Thought I'd never find an enemy TF but I ran into one heading towards Kiska Island which was as accurate since the Japanese occupied the island. Sank one Light Cruiser and a Freighter in an S-18. Sailing with the sun behind you is advantageous.

[Soundman]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

The thing with RSRD is Lurker has created something very similar to what was experienced on patrols during WW2. Days upon days of nothing; then you find what you came out to find. It sort of makes you very aggressive to get a sinking! Sure, it would seem to be a cheat of sorts if you know when a major battle will take place and attempt to make it, but, as much as I have played with this mod, I have yet to be remotely close. You do get reports and with any luck, you are around to attempt a intercept. Rest assured, the ships are there to sink. Just have to find them. A successful patrol is bagging 2-3 vessels. Do this over a course of 5-6 patrols and you will move up to new construction. Most importantly, complete the assigned patrol area. I will not say that RSRD will frustrate you. It will...just as frustrated as the skipper and crews who patrolled for days and had nothing to show for it. Then, out of nowhere, your watch sees a vessel or vessels and all hell breaks loose.

On the contrary, I don't feel frustrated, I like the realism. It would become quite boring if targets were constantly popping up. The hunt is what keeps things interesting. And, I agree with you Warhawk, that the anticipation makes the sinkings more fulfilling. I am having good luck finding the merchants, I'm just not finding them very challenging anymore, as most of them I have run accross are without escorts and my targeting has become quite superb (if I may say so). That is why I'm hoping to run into some IJN units to get my heartbeat up a bit.

[Soundman]

UPDATE! Hooray! Maybe I just needed to open my mouth for something to happen. Last night I finally ran accross a Task Force. No big boats, but 3 various DD's. Today I go home and see if I can put all three under with no damage to myself.

[Quillan]

Good luck with it, Soundman. I hope it works out better for you than my last encounter did. I was in the Phillipine Sea after my last post, when I got radar contacts of a 19 ship task force heading in my direction. They were moving at 19 knots, but I was well placed for an intercept, so I raced over and submerged well in advance because the IJN capital ships do have surface search radar. I closed under silent running, avoiding the leading escorts, and got close enough to start identifying ships. The lead ship was flying an American flag. It turned out it was one of the US fleets returning from the battle. I surfaced and passed through it, only to encounter another (slightly smaller) US task force just a few miles behind it. I didn't encounter any enemy ships until over near Formosa.

[M. Sarsfield]

I ran into one of those US fleets SW of Taiwan. I was very excited to see all of those blips on radar only to discover that they were on our side.

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

Yeah, good luck. After sinking two ships the DDs depth-charged me and searched me out for nearly 2 hours.