Tactical use of game slow-downs

strenface · 04-06-12, 11:29 PM

When cruising at high time compression (256+) I always open the watch and carefully watch the minute hand for studders. Without fail, a studder, slowdown, or quick freeze almost always means that an enemy vessel is within a 20-25 nm proximity.

Does anyone else exploit this mechanic as a sort of early warning system?

Anytime I see this studder, I immediately go to the sonar station and do a full revolution. Even out of radar range (~15nm) an "unknown" will always pop up on the sonar display. At this range, the "green light' arc is between 20, and 30 degrees. I therefor change course to center the "unknown" contact such that the green light goes out at 349, and 11 degrees. After several minutes, I then go back to the sonar station determine the contact arc. For example, if the arc is now between 352 and 14 degrees, I know my the contacts lateral vector, and can plot a fairly accurate interception course, considering the range.

I then go to the radar station once I know the lateral component and adjust my course accordingly, and simply wait for the blip.

I was wondering two things:

1. Is this a common practice?

2. Is this cheating?

It seems to be cheating as it is exploiting game design and mechanics, rather than using any real or even possible tactic. However, I justify it as follows:

Real captains use certain elements to gain a predatory "feel" that is simply not possible to simulate, or maybe even to describe to those having no experience.

Me, a sim captain, uses this "feel" caused by game mechanics to the same effect.

Justification? Or BS?

magic452 · 04-07-12, 12:19 AM

Enough BS = Justification, just ask any lawyer or politician.

On a more serious note I like your method.

and it doesn't hurt to have a sixth sense.

Magic

TorpX · 04-07-12, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strenface

I was wondering two things:

1. Is this a common practice?

2. Is this cheating?

1. I don't know. Quite possibly yes.

2. Yes. But it's your game, you can play it in whatever way you want.

I have noticed when using TC, this "studdering". Either I will get an alert from the crew within a few seconds, or nothing will happen and it will go back to normal. For me, it is just easier to let the game do it's stuff and not worry about it. I really don't want to be jamming on the brakes and running over to the sonar station all the time, anyway. For all I know, the lag is because the weather is going from sunny to cloudy or vice-versa.

strenface · 04-07-12, 03:06 AM

I see your point. I will say that the reason I use this tactic is that it allows me to run at a decent time compression, while not worrying about missing potential targets due to the sometimes random nature of the crew's contact report. In the end, I believe that it saves me time, as I can safely run at higher TC without these worries.

I will say that I have yet to be fooled by this tactic. The studdering caused by vessel spawning is quite distinct, and I have even learned to gauge the size of a convoy based on these patterns. This is what I meant about the "feel" aspect of my justification

But I will repeat that when the studder feels like a contact, it ALWAYS is a contact. I can't remember being fooled by some other element that could potentially cause a studder.

The best way to describe this studder is a quick freeze, followed by immediate and intermittent studders for a couple of seconds.

Sailor Steve · 04-07-12, 09:17 AM

It's been around since SH3. I don't use it because the game already gives a lot more contacts than they got in real life. In my SH3 installation I use a mod that lets you adjust contacts, and I have them adjusted very low. I sometimes have whole patrols in which I never see an enemy ship. I wish I could do the same for SH4.

Diopos · 04-07-12, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

...
I sometimes have whole patrols in which I never see an enemy ship.
...

Avoiding them?

.

MKalafatas · 04-07-12, 10:53 AM

I've noticed the stuttering but always attributed it to my CPU. Usually I'm downloading a movie or something while playing SH4.

I do use the sonar to "hunt" faint readings that the sonar operator ignores, and find it fascinating. It is tedious, taking over his job, but frequently rewarding. Of course, sometimes the contacts are allied merchants.

Sailor Steve · 04-07-12, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diopos

Avoiding them?

.

Ummm...umm...well...er....

TorpX · 04-08-12, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

It's been around since SH3. I don't use it because the game already gives a lot more contacts than they got in real life. In my SH3 installation I use a mod that lets you adjust contacts, and I have them adjusted very low. I sometimes have whole patrols in which I never see an enemy ship. I wish I could do the same for SH4.

Doesn't RSRDC provide realistic traffic? Are you saying it is still too high?

Anyway, that was one of the things I didn't like about SHCE. It was too easy to find targets. If you were in the right spot, you could expect one almost every day.

Quote:

Is it "cheating?" I guess, but so is using TC in the first place, yet most of us don't have 6 years to finish a campaign

The difference is that using the "studder" will boost your tonnage, while using TC merely allows you to finish your patrol faster.

Quote:

What happened to the guy who tried to play the game at x1?

Quote:

Tell me you are joking?

No, someone really was trying that. Maybe he is still on his first patrol. Or, more likely, he got burned out and quit the game.

donna52522 · 04-09-12, 01:23 AM

I've never seen an SH4 rule book, so I have always figured 'cheating' is ones own personal opinion.....I try to play it as realistically as possible, while still being able to enjoy it. If the sim is meant to frustrate or annoy me I would quit it and move on to something I wouldn't mind wasting time on.

As for the amount of ships sunk or tonnage, I gave up on all that many careers ago. I have had some very high tonnage careers, but then realized I wasn't trying to impress anyone, least of all myself.

Now I just play it for the enjoyment, and sometimes I use shortcuts..... So people who talk about this is cheating or that is cheating can blow it out their butt.

giggle

Sailor Steve · 04-09-12, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorpX

Doesn't RSRDC provide realistic traffic? Are you saying it is still too high?

That's a good question. I'm still stuck in u-boats in 1939, so I couldn't say. The only way to be sure is to compare actual reports http://hnsa.org/doc/subreports.htm with what the game provides.

Quote:

Anyway, that was one of the things I didn't like about SHCE. It was too easy to find targets. If you were in the right spot, you could expect one almost every day.

There's no question that SH1 gave way too many contacts. AOTD did the same. They all do, at least in stock version.

Quote:

No, someone really was trying that. Maybe he is still on his first patrol. Or, more likely, he got burned out and quit the game.

Several have done it. The most recent was Subsim regular GoldenRivet.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...ight=1x+patrol
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...ts+goldenrivet

04-06-12, 11:29 PM	#1
strenface Watch Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 20 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	Tactical use of game slow-downs When cruising at high time compression (256+) I always open the watch and carefully watch the minute hand for studders. Without fail, a studder, slowdown, or quick freeze almost always means that an enemy vessel is within a 20-25 nm proximity. Does anyone else exploit this mechanic as a sort of early warning system? Anytime I see this studder, I immediately go to the sonar station and do a full revolution. Even out of radar range (~15nm) an "unknown" will always pop up on the sonar display. At this range, the "green light' arc is between 20, and 30 degrees. I therefor change course to center the "unknown" contact such that the green light goes out at 349, and 11 degrees. After several minutes, I then go back to the sonar station determine the contact arc. For example, if the arc is now between 352 and 14 degrees, I know my the contacts lateral vector, and can plot a fairly accurate interception course, considering the range. I then go to the radar station once I know the lateral component and adjust my course accordingly, and simply wait for the blip. I was wondering two things: 1. Is this a common practice? 2. Is this cheating? It seems to be cheating as it is exploiting game design and mechanics, rather than using any real or even possible tactic. However, I justify it as follows: Real captains use certain elements to gain a predatory "feel" that is simply not possible to simulate, or maybe even to describe to those having no experience. Me, a sim captain, uses this "feel" caused by game mechanics to the same effect. Justification? Or BS? __________________ You may encounter content deemed to be offensive, indecent, or objectionable, which may or may not be identified as containing: (a) vulgarity(b)inaccuracy(c)logical fallacy. You agree to read the above solely at your own risk. This poster assumes no liability regarding direct or indirect damages whatsoever, including but not limited to: (a)personal injury(b)butthurt(c)keyboard(d)marital disruption

04-07-12, 12:19 AM	#2
magic452 Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Reno Nevada USA Posts: 1,860 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Enough BS = Justification, just ask any lawyer or politician. On a more serious note I like your method. and it doesn't hurt to have a sixth sense. Magic __________________ Reported lost 11 Feb. 1942 Signature by depthtok33l Last edited by magic452; 04-07-12 at 01:34 AM.

04-07-12, 03:06 AM	#4
strenface Watch Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 20 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	I see your point. I will say that the reason I use this tactic is that it allows me to run at a decent time compression, while not worrying about missing potential targets due to the sometimes random nature of the crew's contact report. In the end, I believe that it saves me time, as I can safely run at higher TC without these worries. I will say that I have yet to be fooled by this tactic. The studdering caused by vessel spawning is quite distinct, and I have even learned to gauge the size of a convoy based on these patterns. This is what I meant about the "feel" aspect of my justification But I will repeat that when the studder feels like a contact, it ALWAYS is a contact. I can't remember being fooled by some other element that could potentially cause a studder. The best way to describe this studder is a quick freeze, followed by immediate and intermittent studders for a couple of seconds. __________________ You may encounter content deemed to be offensive, indecent, or objectionable, which may or may not be identified as containing: (a) vulgarity(b)inaccuracy(c)logical fallacy. You agree to read the above solely at your own risk. This poster assumes no liability regarding direct or indirect damages whatsoever, including but not limited to: (a)personal injury(b)butthurt(c)keyboard(d)marital disruption

04-07-12, 09:17 AM	#5
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	It's been around since SH3. I don't use it because the game already gives a lot more contacts than they got in real life. In my SH3 installation I use a mod that lets you adjust contacts, and I have them adjusted very low. I sometimes have whole patrols in which I never see an enemy ship. I wish I could do the same for SH4. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

04-07-12, 10:53 AM	#7
MKalafatas Electrician's Mate Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Springboro OH Posts: 135 Downloads: 30 Uploads: 0	I've noticed the stuttering but always attributed it to my CPU. Usually I'm downloading a movie or something while playing SH4. I do use the sonar to "hunt" faint readings that the sonar operator ignores, and find it fascinating. It is tedious, taking over his job, but frequently rewarding. Of course, sometimes the contacts are allied merchants. __________________ "Not all those who wander are lost." - JRR Tolkien

04-09-12, 01:23 AM	#10
donna52522 Lady Mariner Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 544 Downloads: 225 Uploads: 0	I've never seen an SH4 rule book, so I have always figured 'cheating' is ones own personal opinion.....I try to play it as realistically as possible, while still being able to enjoy it. If the sim is meant to frustrate or annoy me I would quit it and move on to something I wouldn't mind wasting time on. As for the amount of ships sunk or tonnage, I gave up on all that many careers ago. I have had some very high tonnage careers, but then realized I wasn't trying to impress anyone, least of all myself. Now I just play it for the enjoyment, and sometimes I use shortcuts..... So people who talk about this is cheating or that is cheating can blow it out their butt. giggle __________________