Getting a bit tired of not finding any ships on the open seas.

[Admiral Halsey]

I was wondering if anyone knows the hotspots for shipping traffic in the game. I use TMO+RSRD+RSRD Patch. Right now my sub is based out of midway so most of missions are around mainland Japan.

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by Admiral Halsey

I was wondering if anyone knows the hotspots for shipping traffic in the game. I use TMO+RSRD+RSRD Patch. Right now my sub is based out of midway so most of missions are around mainland Japan.

They're numerous threads, try searching "finding ships RSRD"

Most the traffic early war starts around the Philippines. You may want to start there first. The IJN heads south taking Borneo, Java, etc. Lot's of action and battles in the Solomons in 42.

simply google ww2 shipping lanes and take note of the dates since they change during the game. this is where you will find the ships when using RSRDC

the simple answer is to get rid of the RSRDC mod which as its main goal is to eliminate most of the shipping traffic in the game.

TMNO doesn't need RSRDC and is a great stand alone mod and by getting rid of RSRDC you return to the random shipping and finding targets everywhere just like in the stock game

[HertogJan]

Under 'Misc' select the radio and pull it with your mouse, there's a map attached to it wich gives you the shipping lanes.
Obviously you'll need to figure out when those lanes go active.
For example, you won't find any cargo vessel or convoy en route to Singapore before the Imperial Navy take it, same goes for Manilla, Java and so on.


One tip: after ending a patrol, when starting a new one, you get a full map cut-scene with IJN movements. If a area has bin taken you'll find traffic a few day's / weeks after on those shipping lanes.

[Bubblehead1980]

RSRD's traffic is mostly historically accurate, there is a lack of convoys in areas where there were plenty of them but its prob 90% accurate and an impressive piece of work. I've added some myself and releasing it in an upcoming mod. The way I learned RSRD traffic way back was to open up the campaign files via the mission editor and see the shipping lanes.For example, want to know the convoy routes in 42, open up the campaign files...42_Jap_convoys.

Much as in RL, convoys are fairly rare from 41-42, starting in Feb 43 or so start seeing a lot more, but they are convoys by IJN standards...2-3 ships and an escort.They grow and are better protected as get into late 43 and many more of them.Summer of 44, plenty of large, well protected and frequent convoys if in proper areas.So your patrols are much like it was in RL in early war, few convoys, mostly singles and not as much flowing, as war kicks in, more traffic, more convoys, more of a challenge.I just wrapped up a patrol in Luzon Straits in RSRD in September 1944, encountered 7 convoys (one I put in but 6 i attacked were RSRD) From August 30, 1944-September 16, 1944. Sunk six ships, one DD(ambushed an Aklzuki on patrol with wakeless torpedoes) and damaged another large tanker.(Last saw it listing but underway, while had to go to get away from torrent of depth charges)

Can also open up the task force layers and see the big battles are scripted, so can be present.

TMO traffic isnt bad, much better than stock but after playing RSRD, just cant go back.Stick with RSRD, you wont regret it.

[Admiral Halsey]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

RSRD's traffic is mostly historically accurate, there is a lack of convoys in areas where there were plenty of them but its prob 90% accurate and an impressive piece of work. I've added some myself and releasing it in an upcoming mod. The way I learned RSRD traffic way back was to open up the campaign files via the mission editor and see the shipping lanes.For example, want to know the convoy routes in 42, open up the campaign files...42_Jap_convoys.

Much as in RL, convoys are fairly rare from 41-42, starting in Feb 43 or so start seeing a lot more, but they are convoys by IJN standards...2-3 ships and an escort.They grow and are better protected as get into late 43 and many more of them.Summer of 44, plenty of large, well protected and frequent convoys if in proper areas.So your patrols are much like it was in RL in early war, few convoys, mostly singles and not as much flowing, as war kicks in, more traffic, more convoys, more of a challenge.I just wrapped up a patrol in Luzon Straits in RSRD in September 1944, encountered 7 convoys (one I put in but 6 i attacked were RSRD) From August 30, 1944-September 16, 1944. Sunk six ships, one DD(ambushed an Aklzuki on patrol with wakeless torpedoes) and damaged another large tanker.(Last saw it listing but underway, while had to go to get away from torrent of depth charges)

Can also open up the task force layers and see the big battles are scripted, so can be present.

TMO traffic isnt bad, much better than stock but after playing RSRD, just cant go back.Stick with RSRD, you wont regret it.

I found about the battles being scripted when I sank two carriers during the Battle of Midway. I also have seen a couple of convoys now but they were either sampans of fishing boats. I just now got to 1943 so if your right I should finally see some convoys.(I downloaded the TMO+RSRD convoy routes mod so that should help me find them.)

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Admiral Halsey

I found about the battles being scripted when I sank two carriers during the Battle of Midway. I also have seen a couple of convoys now but they were either sampans of fishing boats. I just now got to 1943 so if your right I should finally see some convoys.(I downloaded the TMO+RSRD convoy routes mod so that should help me find them.)

Yep and Midway is just the tip of the iceberg, Guadalcanal in 42, the engagements are scripted rather accurately.Savo Island, Santa Cruz, Eastern Solomons, Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal Naval I and II. Minor engagements are scripted as well. The Solomons campaign through 43 is scripted also, Battle of Empress Augusta Bay was one I recently saw for first time, was pretty intense.Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf as scripted nicely as well.Although I need to make some adjustments to the Samar Battle on morning on 25 October, the IJN does not engage the small carrier force way it should due to distance.

Yes, a lot of convoys in 43, stick with it. Palau-Wewak(New Guinea) and Truk-Rabaul lanes are quite busy in 43, really picks up around April and May.A lot of Ultra come in directing you to convoys in that area. The home islands to Truk via Volcano Islands/Mariannas is quite busy as well.Of course East China Sea has some traffic also.

Study the map but best idea is to open up the layers and see the lanes, will give you an idea .

[Admiral Halsey]

I plan on doing so as soon as my patrol in the Sea of Okhotsk is over.(I have found a surprising number of merchants and even spotted a cruiser.)

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Admiral Halsey

I plan on doing so as soon as my patrol in the Sea of Okhotsk is over.(I have found a surprising number of merchants and even spotted a cruiser.)

A cruiser? Nice. Never see it there.Had a few good patrols there but mostly because of traffic I added in 44 and 45.Not sure about earlier, never sent there before 44.

[Admiral Halsey]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

A cruiser? Nice. Never see it there.Had a few good patrols there but mostly because of traffic I added in 44 and 45.Not sure about earlier, never sent there before 44.

I finally get reports of convoys heading to the home islands and guess what? I had expended all my torpedoes and had just started heading back to Midway.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Admiral Halsey

I finally get reports of convoys heading to the home islands and guess what? I had expended all my torpedoes and had just started heading back to Midway.

Yep lol that happens or youll get a report of a tf or convoy that is just out of your reach, meaning even at flank speed you wont be able to get there in time since they were only able to give you 24 hours notice, then sometimes you get an ultra about something few days ahead of time or it shows up after of before, not exact time they specified(usually withing 72 hours or time date specified) Definitely will try your resolve but once you figure it out, its great.However, it will still throw you a curveball at times.

[Admiral Halsey]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Yep lol that happens or youll get a report of a tf or convoy that is just out of your reach, meaning even at flank speed you wont be able to get there in time since they were only able to give you 24 hours notice, then sometimes you get an ultra about something few days ahead of time or it shows up after of before, not exact time they specified(usually withing 72 hours or time date specified) Definitely will try your resolve but once you figure it out, its great.However, it will still throw you a curveball at times.

Well I think the game wants me dead. Why do I think that? It wants me to enter the SEA OF JAPAN!

[troopie]

Sooo, Where is repeat where is the surface shipping? The world wonders.

[Admiral Halsey]

Originally Posted by troopie

Sooo, Where is repeat where is the surface shipping? The world wonders.

The world shall wonder no more. All the merchants are in the Sea of Japan.(I nearly ran into a mine three times but the tonnage I found was worth it.)

[les green01]

you gave the secret away now some big mouth congressman will shoot off his mouth and the japs will move the merchants and you will have to look all over again.