Iron Coffins - is the AI too easy??

[Finback]

Originally Posted by Heibges

I have to say that after reading the Uboat Commanders Handbook, Uboat Commander by Peter Cremer, Uboat Commander by Prien, and 10 Years and 11 Days, that I think the AI in SH3 is very realistic.

These are good books. I really enjoy Uboat Commander by Peter Cremer (good choice to post that one Heibges). It is a great mix of personal experience and Uboat technology vs Allied ASW tech and tactics. I really like the part where Cremer talks about deep dives (paraphrasing): "...tested for 150 meters. In fact these limits would be pushed and some boats would go deeper until the frame members began to crack." Only desperation would push submariners to such extremes...

And I agree that everyone should have a copy of Iron Coffins. While not completely accurate historically (as far as ships sunk and convoy actions they were involved in) it is still one of the Greatest personal accounts I've read.

I believe GWX addresses many of the issues that AI was too easy. The only wish on my list here is that when escorts lose contact they would go into a ladder search pattern or line-abreast searches when multiple escorts are present. One of the greatest challenges for escorts was maintaining contact with a sub. With all the dc's they drop in-game, they wouldn't be able to use Any sonar effectively because the water is disturbed for minutes after a dc run is made. Attack runs under ideal conditions typically happened no faster that 20 minutes apart from each other. Creeping attack and Buttercup attacks would also be...interesting.

That said I can see from a corporate view-point why they weren't included. Not everyone would hang with a simulation (game) if they would creep along for 20 minutes, flank to avoid dc's, creep along for 40 minutes only to be found again and after 8 hours of this be obliterated by a creeping attack you didn't hear coming. Would have been a nice option though for masochists like me .

Cheers!!!