What makes a convoy go "twitchy"?

desirableroasted · 04-15-11, 10:35 AM

Never seen this before.

I have a large convoy between me and the rising moon... nearest target is 5000 m off, a Tribal. Next nearest is a Coastal Freighter. I cannot make out anything else, but my last hydrophone check showed 14-15 lines.

I am well off their path, not even intending to attack until much later tonight.

Suddenly, star shells go up. The coastal goes into zig zag and the Tribal turns on a dime, but not towards me.

Temptation gets the best of me, so I use the "lock-check" exploit (I'm human, sue me).... sure enough, a dozen or so out there all on zig-zag, escorts coming up.

It wasn't me that set them off, but what did?

Gargamel · 04-15-11, 10:40 AM

Probably another Uboat. AI.

King_Zog · 04-15-11, 04:17 PM

What is this 'lock-check' exploit I keep hearing about and how do I do it?

Weiss Pinguin · 04-15-11, 04:46 PM

If it is what I think it is, basically you just sweep the periscope (or binocs) back and forth and keep tapping the lock target key or whatever (default is L) until you find a target. I have to admit do it a lot at night or in bad weather

brett25 · 04-15-11, 06:31 PM

yeah, im guilty of that. i hate myself for doing it, but how can you not?

FIREWALL · 04-15-11, 10:27 PM

If you weren't on "Silent Running" and speed set at 1 knot you, gave your self away.

desirableroasted · 04-16-11, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

If you weren't on "Silent Running" and speed set at 1 knot you, gave your self away.

I was decks awash, 5 clicks behind the Tribal, and stationary. And anyway, he did not turn toward me, but back into the convoy. So he didn't hear me. No other escort was closer than 7500 and, again, they weren't coming for me.

Convoy did a course change 30 or so game minutes later, and the excitement seems to have died down from what I can make out. Just one of those mysteries, I guess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weiss Pinguin

If it is what I think it is, basically you just sweep the periscope (or binocs) back and forth and keep tapping the lock target key or whatever (default is L) until you find a target. I have to admit do it a lot at night or in bad weather

Cap'n Crutch. Let's you find targets 18 clicks away -- in the dark.

I either need to go over to manual targeting or start losing 100 renown anytime I am even tempted to use it.

Pisces · 04-16-11, 05:59 AM

Not knowing the size of the convoy (rows) and the speed makes the following a bit iffy. But it could be that the front vessels reached the waypoint and started maneuvering for the next. Something at 8 knots takes about 30 min to move 7 to 8 km. Which could be the size of the convoy.

But if flares were shot in the air then I think you should seriously consider your own presence to be the trigger. (AI friendly units could be, but rare coincidence) It might have been for just a split second and the destroyers have allready lost you.

desirableroasted · 04-16-11, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pisces

But if flares were shot in the air then I think you should seriously consider your own presence to be the trigger. (AI friendly units could be, but rare coincidence) It might have been for just a split second and the destroyers have allready lost you.

I think you are right. I've tried to approach twice since then and set them off, both times with (distant, 400-600m off) DC runs as a result. One of the escorts must have an elite watch crew. I expect this in 42-43, but surprising in October 39.

Getting toward dawn now, so I will either break off -- I mean, who needs this bother 250 west of Gibraltar? -- or go up and try the starboard side tomorrow night.

Jimbuna · 04-16-11, 06:44 PM

I 'd be thinking when taking into account the lighting conditions you were right on the edge of the visual envelope....if even for just a moment.

04-15-11, 10:35 AM	#1
desirableroasted Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: In the mountains, now. On the edge of the sea before. Posts: 933 Downloads: 47 Uploads: 0	What makes a convoy go "twitchy"? Never seen this before. I have a large convoy between me and the rising moon... nearest target is 5000 m off, a Tribal. Next nearest is a Coastal Freighter. I cannot make out anything else, but my last hydrophone check showed 14-15 lines. I am well off their path, not even intending to attack until much later tonight. Suddenly, star shells go up. The coastal goes into zig zag and the Tribal turns on a dime, but not towards me. Temptation gets the best of me, so I use the "lock-check" exploit (I'm human, sue me).... sure enough, a dozen or so out there all on zig-zag, escorts coming up. It wasn't me that set them off, but what did? __________________ "Well, now, that's true... the IXC is a bit of a chick magnet..but you really can't beat the VIIB for off-road fun."

04-15-11, 10:40 AM	#2
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	Probably another Uboat. AI. __________________ Luck is a residue of Design.

04-15-11, 04:46 PM	#4
Weiss Pinguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Auburn, Alabama Posts: 3,333 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	If it is what I think it is, basically you just sweep the periscope (or binocs) back and forth and keep tapping the lock target key or whatever (default is L) until you find a target. I have to admit do it a lot at night or in bad weather __________________

04-15-11, 06:31 PM	#5
brett25 Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oakland CA, USA Posts: 737 Downloads: 570 Uploads: 0	yeah, im guilty of that. i hate myself for doing it, but how can you not? __________________ http://shmf.larsbundgaard.dk/index.p...1tn5&board=7.0

04-15-11, 10:27 PM	#6
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	If you weren't on "Silent Running" and speed set at 1 knot you, gave your self away. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

04-15-11, 04:17 PM	#3
King_Zog Soundman Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: London Posts: 143 Downloads: 31 Uploads: 0	What is this 'lock-check' exploit I keep hearing about and how do I do it?

04-16-11, 05:59 AM	#8
Pisces Silent Hunter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: AN9771 Posts: 4,904 Downloads: 304 Uploads: 0	Not knowing the size of the convoy (rows) and the speed makes the following a bit iffy. But it could be that the front vessels reached the waypoint and started maneuvering for the next. Something at 8 knots takes about 30 min to move 7 to 8 km. Which could be the size of the convoy. But if flares were shot in the air then I think you should seriously consider your own presence to be the trigger. (AI friendly units could be, but rare coincidence) It might have been for just a split second and the destroyers have allready lost you. __________________ My site downloads: https://ricojansen.nl/downloads

04-16-11, 06:44 PM	#10
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,526 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I 'd be thinking when taking into account the lighting conditions you were right on the edge of the visual envelope....if even for just a moment. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!