One good reason to have SHV in the Atlantic

[UnterseeBoogeyMan]

One aspect of the war that hasn't been captured in the Silent Hunter series is the wolf-pack. The backend programming of the game should be powerfull enough to allow for other AI-controlled subs to coordinate with BDU on a combined attack - and they should shoot torpedoes! Further, as a player, you need to have a strong enough incentive to be the recon sub and call the pack to your convoy. The incentive has to be good enough to risk HDF drawing a bead on you. Here' s how the incentive would work:

-should you make positive sighting, then call other boats into the fray, you get renown (300?)
-for every merchant sunk by a sub you call in, you collect 35% of the renown for that sunk ship

Another aspect, that I think would be good is actual consequences for what you sink and what the Kreigsmarine sinks. If the GRT losses raise to a certain number, certain offensives have to be postponed. If 1943 had gone differently, would the Allies be storming Normandy in 1944? If the GRT was higher in 1940-41, would there be escorts available for Operation Torch? If Torch doesnt happen, Rommel has some room and time to recover from El Alamein. I got this idea from reading the Battle of the Atlantic by Samuel Elliot Morrison and he touches on some of these possiblities to illustrate how critical the Atlantic supply routes were.

This may be asking too much, but how about a strategic element to the game? You are Doenitz and/or Raeder and you have to decide if you want more Type IXs or Type VIIs. Doenitz favored the VIIs becuase they were produced quicker and for him, the decisive battle were the routes to the UK. Long range wasnt required to reach these areas from France. The downside is lesser range, less torpedoes. But as boss of the Kreigsmarine you decide what's needed. More boats that fight closer to Fortress Europe or less boats that can travel longer ranges? It depends on your world strategy, what your long-range objective is.


So that's my case for a Silent Hunter V.