Exploiting the predictability of 'serpentining'

9emini · 05-21-11, 09:12 PM

I feel a bit less-than-chuffed when I torpedo merchants that are constantly changing direction having spotted me. This is of course possible because of the regularity/predictability of their motion. In real life, I imagine ships would follow a far more random course. What say ye all?

Missing Name · 05-21-11, 09:26 PM

You'd almost certainly see random movement. The more unpredictable you are, the harder it would be to make an accurate shot. Varying speed would also make calculations difficult.

That said, I often shoot at zig-zagging ships. It's not that difficult to do with a little observation.

FIREWALL · 05-21-11, 09:29 PM

If it's early 1939 and good weather use deckgun.

desirableroasted · 05-21-11, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9emini

I feel a bit less-than-chuffed when I torpedo merchants that are constantly changing direction having spotted me. This is of course possible because of the regularity/predictability of their motion. In real life, I imagine ships would follow a far more random course. What say ye all?

Even allowing for "it's just a sim." I also find this behavior puzzling and disappointing. While ships in convoys were, I believe, expected to keep station with discipline, leaving ASW to the escorts, I cannot believe a lone vessel would plod resolutely on in predictable swings.

Especially at 5 knots when the ship might be rated for 15-18.

I'm guessing it wasn't a Ubisoft priority. Since escorts are coded to react offensively to your every defensive maneuver, it stands to reason that targets could have been coded to react defensively to your offensive maneuvers.

9emini · 05-22-11, 06:48 PM

Is this behaviour modifiable? I'm guessing not, given the presence of serp'ing ships in GWX

Tessa · 05-23-11, 12:34 PM

Only time you really wreak havoc on the ships ability to zigzag or stay in formation is to disable one of the larger ships towards the top of the column, especially if you can hit pairs in parrallel columns. While they turn to zigzag and suddenly loose propulsion cabailities they become a collision hazard for the rest of the whole convoy. I've had instances where I've disabled 2 of the large troop transports while they were turned about 40 degrees and then stopped; being so large the rest of the convoy came to a near standstill while ships slowly changed course in order to go around them.

desirableroasted · 05-24-11, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tessa

Only time you really wreak havoc on the ships ability to zigzag or stay in formation is to disable one of the larger ships towards the top of the column, especially if you can hit pairs in parrallel columns. While they turn to zigzag and suddenly loose propulsion cabailities they become a collision hazard for the rest of the whole convoy. I've had instances where I've disabled 2 of the large troop transports while they were turned about 40 degrees and then stopped; being so large the rest of the convoy came to a near standstill while ships slowly changed course in order to go around them.

But resist the temptation to take a shot at them if you are using automatic targeting. You will find that your Weapons Officer knows where the targets "should be" if the traffic jam had not occurred, and aims accordingly.

sharkbit · 05-24-11, 10:51 AM

I haven't got alot of practice with serpentining ships but the key to remember is they are still on their base course. Just knock off a knot or two for their speed and if you can, get perpindicualr to their base course. The Fast 90 method should work just as well.

Sailor Steve · 05-24-11, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desirableroasted

Even allowing for "it's just a sim." I also find this behavior puzzling and disappointing. While ships in convoys were, I believe, expected to keep station with discipline, leaving ASW to the escorts, I cannot believe a lone vessel would plod resolutely on in predictable swings.

Way back in SH1 a lone ship would turn his tail to you and try to keep you behind him as he ran. If you surfaced and ran around him he would again turn away. This was the best behaviour I've seen in any of these "sims".

desirableroasted · 05-24-11, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Way back in SH1 a lone ship would turn his tail to you and try to keep you behind him as he ran. If you surfaced and ran around him he would again turn away. This was the best behaviour I've seen in any of these "sims".

That is exactly what I wish for and perfectly logical.

05-21-11, 09:12 PM	#1
9emini Seaman Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Aboard the Galaga Posts: 37 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Exploiting the predictability of 'serpentining' I feel a bit less-than-chuffed when I torpedo merchants that are constantly changing direction having spotted me. This is of course possible because of the regularity/predictability of their motion. In real life, I imagine ships would follow a far more random course. What say ye all?

05-21-11, 09:26 PM	#2
Missing Name Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Westun New Yahk Posts: 748 Downloads: 131 Uploads: 0	You'd almost certainly see random movement. The more unpredictable you are, the harder it would be to make an accurate shot. Varying speed would also make calculations difficult. That said, I often shoot at zig-zagging ships. It's not that difficult to do with a little observation. __________________ Largest target sunk with deck gun: Japanese auxiliary cruiser, 15000 tons Largest engaged: HMS Nelson. Results inconclusive. Read Brag's stuff

05-21-11, 09:29 PM	#3
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	If it's early 1939 and good weather use deckgun. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

05-24-11, 10:51 AM	#8
sharkbit The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,529 Downloads: 334 Uploads: 0	I haven't got alot of practice with serpentining ships but the key to remember is they are still on their base course. Just knock off a knot or two for their speed and if you can, get perpindicualr to their base course. The Fast 90 method should work just as well. __________________ “Prejudice is blind. There will always be someone who says you aren’t welcome at the table. Stop apologizing for who you are and using all your energy trying to change their minds. Yes, you will lose friends, maybe even family. But you will gain your self-respect. You will know your worth. Once you have that, nothing can stop you.”

05-22-11, 06:48 PM	#5
9emini Seaman Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Aboard the Galaga Posts: 37 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Is this behaviour modifiable? I'm guessing not, given the presence of serp'ing ships in GWX

05-23-11, 12:34 PM	#6
Tessa Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: CG 96 Posts: 861 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	Only time you really wreak havoc on the ships ability to zigzag or stay in formation is to disable one of the larger ships towards the top of the column, especially if you can hit pairs in parrallel columns. While they turn to zigzag and suddenly loose propulsion cabailities they become a collision hazard for the rest of the whole convoy. I've had instances where I've disabled 2 of the large troop transports while they were turned about 40 degrees and then stopped; being so large the rest of the convoy came to a near standstill while ships slowly changed course in order to go around them.