How Clever Is The AI?

[Gustav Schiebert]

I was hoping someone with a more in-depth knowledge of SH3 and GWX 3.0 could tell me more about how the AI operates ships.

• If I see a rowing boat or armed tug and decide not so sink it, but he sees me, does he literally radio his friends? Can he steer others onto my position?
• If I damage a ship, will it signal for help, and does this actually send other ships after me, or just increase the probability that I'll come across the enemy?
• Do things like suspicious noises, torpedo trails etc cause 'suspicion' or is it a binary they-see-you-or-they-don't system?

Basically, I have a lot of experience of being chased by planes after escaping a convoy, of destroyers coming after me and even running into the same ship (Nelson) twice on one patrol, three weeks apart. I'd like to know a little more about the mechanics of how the game manifests real life effects. I've always wondered if there was a 'draw distance' around the boat that randomly puts in ships as you approach an area, or is it a bit more complex?

I have tried reading the f-ing manual and looking through some of the notepad files, but being a bit of a Luddite this has failed to get me anywhere. If anything asking this question makes me appreciate all the more the efforts of the modders and the knowledge/helpfulness of the community at large, so thanks to all of you chaps and ladies for what you all do, as always