VIIC or IXB

[Miltiades]

Well, now that the 2 are available I got confused about which one to choose.
Can someone explain what the differences are between the 2 in terms of ''roles''
And I know that the IXB has a larger range and more torpedoes, so what's new or better about the VIIC?

[Fish In The Water]

Originally Posted by Miltiades

...so what's new or better about the VIIC?

It all comes down to personal preference and playing style. Take me for instance. I prefer the VII because she dives faster, is more maneuverable and presents a smaller sonar target.

I won't go in to the advantages of the IX's, (and there are some), as I'm sure a true fan will be along shortly to do so.

[Miltiades]

Originally Posted by Fish In The Water

It all comes down to personal preference and playing style. Take me for instance. I prefer the VII because she dives faster, is more maneuverable and presents a smaller sonar target.

I won't go in to the advantages of the IX's, (and there are some), as I'm sure a true fan will be along shortly to do so.

Considering my last patrol that sure sounds.....tempting.
I guess with the IXB you have to be more cautious and take it handling into account.

[JazzJR]

IXB and VIIC were the most used submarines in WW2 So i think they both do their job well. But like Fishy i prefer the VII class.

[Miltiades]

Originally Posted by JazzJR

IXB and VIIC were the most used submarines in WW2 So i think they both do their job well. But like Fishy i prefer the VII class.

Still a though decision for me.

I usually run out of torpedoes fast , but on the other hand I regularly bump into taskforces (Bye-Bye Illustrious )....

Seems weird that the IXB costs 2.5 times more than the VIIC.

[Kaptain Schlag]

Im neither a fan of a VIIC or an IXB first of all, so I won't destroy one sub or the other for lack of capability.

The IXB has more firepower, but like Battleships versus destroyers, one is less stealthy than the other. The VIIC would be the "destroyer" and the IXB the "Battleship".

Early war I recommend using Type IX's because ASW capabilities are poor and you can sink more. But late war type VII's are probably more advantageous because of their more stealthy characteristics. I would highly recommend getting a VIIC/41 or /42 if possible though because you can dive extremely deep and therefore can survive. I have not personally used either sub (call my credibility into question if you want) but on uboat.net some of those subs could easily dive past 200m.

[Jimbuna]

IXB then the IXD2 when available (for the reasons already stated).

My favourite from the beginning of 1945 is the XXIII but that is not what you asked.

[SubConscious]

I like the IXB. Longer range, slightly faster surface speed, bigger deck gun (105mm), more ammunition, and more torpedoes. It's not great for dicey situations, as it doesn't dive very quickly, but as a submersible surface raider, it's a fine boat, especially in the early stages of the war.

One of my favorite WWII books is "Operation Drumbeat" by Michael Gannon. It follows the exploits of Reinhard Hardegen and his U-123, a Type IXB. It's an excellent read.

[Miltiades]

Still a tough decision...very tough...

But like Fish in the Water said;

It all comes down to personal preference and playing style.

So I'm leaning towards the VIIC since my hunting is AM52 and the surrounding grids.

[BogdaNz]

type IXB is long range u-boat ,with 22 torpedoes you have a lot of fire power ,so were dispatched to caribbean ,us waters ,canadians waters,south america,africa ....
the type VIIC had only 14 torpedoes,and were mostly used against convoys in north atlantic ,but also long away from base in us waters and caribbean

so your choice if you want to be reinhard hardegen or erich topp

[JazzJR]

Originally Posted by Kaptain Schlag

but on uboat.net some of those subs could easily dive past 200m.

After new informations the destruction depth of a VIIC submarine was around 280 meters.

[Obltn Strand]

Lately I have been cruising with IX and noticed that it's far more difficult to attack convoys.
Surfaced night attack is to be done some 1km farther than with VII and I haven't been able to perform surfaced escape with IX, yet anyway.

[VONHARRIS]

The IXB for me.
I love those long ranged patrols and the 22 torpedoes on board.

Of course , I have to be extra careful later in the war (IXC) when I attack convoys.

When the XXI becomes available , I go for her but I have never been able to finish the war.

[sublynx]

I think one thing that was not mentioned yet, is the time available for playing the game. With a VII you sail to your grid in a couple of days, spend all your torpedoes on a couple of convoy attacks, possibly in one day and sail back to your port in a couple of days. With a IX you might be sailing over the Atlantic for a week or two, then hunt around for a week or two and sail back for another week or two. I try to use TC 128 in airplane ridden areas and that makes using a IX pretty much impossible for me, especially late in the war where the airplanes are pretty much anywhere. I don't have the RL time for a IX.

Historically IX's were not used in the Mediterranean, so that is one thing that could help choosing. VII is the workhorse that can be used in pretty much everywhere, whereas IX's strengths work best in long range patrols.

[Miltiades]

And a VIIC it is..

Thanks everyone for posting.