IXB or IXC

[Stix]

Is it worth buying a IXB ASAP or better to wait for the IXC and get the real benefits out of the type IX boat?

[danlisa]

If you want benefits of an IX boat you need to use the IXD2. If this is your first time of using an IX in GWX, I suggest that you get the IXB and start practicing as it's a whole new ballgame with these big boats.

You may want to adjust your tactics from one of Convoy attacks to distant operations and picking off single merchants/tankers.

[Corsair]

Originally Posted by Stix

Is it worth buying a IXB ASAP or better to wait for the IXC and get the real benefits out of the type IX boat?

Thought german Kapt'ns were only allowed to command U boats, surprised they were allowed to buy them ?

[Krupp]

Originally Posted by Stix

Is it worth buying a IXB ASAP or better to wait for the IXC and get the real benefits out of the type IX boat?

With IXC, you should quite easily do patrols in West-African coast, US East Coast, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico etc. Those areas are well within the range without refueling. Type IXD2 is not a that good (perhaps too large boat), unless you plan to command monsun boats. So I would (and did) wait for IXC.

It is somewhat slow in crash dives and maneuvers. But so is IXB.

[peterloo]

Originally Posted by Krupp

With IXC, you should quite easily do patrols in West-African coast, US East Coast, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico etc. Those areas are well within the range without refueling. Type IXD2 is not a that good (perhaps too large boat), unless you plan to command monsun boats. So I would (and did) wait for IXC.

It is somewhat slow in crash dives and maneuvers. But so is IXB.

I agree that Type IX is a bit slow in crash diving. But, I don't mind that since

(a) There are little planes in your patrol areas (mid Atlantic, Carnabbin...)
(b) You have got powerful flaks against lone planes (seemed unrealistic)
(c) Planes usually get little depth charges and no sonar. They cannot set their depth charge depth once they cannot see you. They simplily set it at PD but, if you are crash diving, you should be at 50m (or deeper) at the second run. They are just trashing the precious explodsives (Many shells, grenades and ... have to forgone if you want to make a DC)

The IXC is much better in terms of amount of fuel. It gives you more flexible patrol

I hate Type IXB mainly because of the small size of diesel fuel tank...

Take a Type IXC, and go to Carnabbin (a patrol place, full of tankers)

"Sink 'em all !"

[Subwolf]

You need the D2 if you want to do the far east patrols. It's only a huge fueltank compared to the C, and its dive time is around 5 secs slower.

Range of the B is too short, I would save the renown and go for the IXC.

[LeafsFan]

Well,

I'll disagree. The IXB is available so much earlier (1 Apr 1940 vs 1 May 41), it allows you to play for that much longer in the Happy Time. I don't mind the range limitation at all.

HB

[danlisa]

Originally Posted by LeafsFan

Well,

I'll disagree. The IXB is available so much earlier (1 Apr 1940 vs 1 May 41), it allows you to play for that much longer in the Happy Time. I don't mind the range limitation at all.

HB

Actually, the IXB is available from OCT 1939.

[LeafsFan]

Right You are!!.

Silly me I use the actual dates of the boats entering service.

HB

[Subwolf]

Originally Posted by LeafsFan

Well,

I'll disagree. The IXB is available so much earlier (1 Apr 1940 vs 1 May 41), it allows you to play for that much longer in the Happy Time. I don't mind the range limitation at all.

HB

I wouldn't use the XI in convoy attacks, it turns and dives too slow. When I played stock I used the XI in -42 and found a lot of easy prey along the U.S. east coast. From -43 I went back to a better equiped VIIC and survived the war with it.

[LeafsFan]

Originally Posted by Subwolf

I wouldn't use the XI in convoy attacks, it turns and dives too slow.

Never said I did old boy.

My paradigm of succesful U-boat operations is that you hit the easiest targets, which essentially means independently routed shipping. The IX is well suited to this due to it superior weapons loadout, and fuel reservoirs, which allow you to be on the prowl longer.

HB

[Subwolf]

Originally Posted by LeafsFan

Never said I did old boy.

My paradigm of succesful U-boat operations is that you hit the easiest targets, which essentially means independently routed shipping. The IX is well suited to this due to it superior weapons loadout, and fuel reservoirs, which allow you to be on the prowl longer.

HB

I never said you did either old boy. But if you find a lot of lone ships around Britain and in the Atlantic after 1940 you're a damn good kaleun. There is a reason why they used the convoy tactics.

[Corsair]

@ Peterloo

" Take a Type IXC, and go to Carnabbin (a patrol place, full of tankers)"

Never found that on my map ?

[Krupp]

What comes in using big type IX's against convoys, they are exiting moments but not too difficult. It's autumn 1943 (NYGM 2.3) and I have always, when possible attacked convoys with IXC and escaped without any severe damage to my boat. The real danger comes from the sky IMO.

If you cruise and wait until you spot single ships, you miss a lot of opportunities. That is not very aggressive nor impressive way to command you boat. And I think that The "Lion" would pretty quickly send you to other duties, if you pass too many convoys...

"Be more aggressive"

[GT182]

I agree on the D2, more torpedoes and fuel. I've run one with no trouble hitting convoys in stock SHIII, but with GWX it might be a bit more difficult. But then again, GWX is a whole new ballgame.

And with using SHIII Commander you can choose the patrol gid you want. Far to the west or roam the midAtlantic if you want. Even a liesurly trip to watch iceburgs and sink shipping in the far north is a nice change of pace.