DARN IT!! How do you tell what nation they are??

[CherryHarbey]

GWX models the changing status of the nations, whilst Brazil is an enemy for a short period (when it got fed up with U-boats sinking its neutral ships!) it is neutral most of the time and the fact that it had its flag lit up usually means neutrallity.
that said as others have pointed out the reown system isn't great when it comes to neutral ships, penalising you sinking ships that would have been sunk in the war without question, neutral ships inside convoys etc
so some choose to edit the renown files or even the way the renown is given for neutrals. if want to go that way, there will be plenty of people able to tell you how to do it.

[K-61]

Originally Posted by CherryHarbey

GWX models the changing status of the nations, whilst Brazil is an enemy for a short period (when it got fed up with U-boats sinking its neutral ships!) it is neutral most of the time and the fact that it had its flag lit up usually means neutrallity.
that said as others have pointed out the reown system isn't great when it comes to neutral ships, penalising you sinking ships that would have been sunk in the war without question, neutral ships inside convoys etc
so some choose to edit the renown files or even the way the renown is given for neutrals. if want to go that way, there will be plenty of people able to tell you how to do it.

I do that, but not to "cheat" in the normal sense of the word. I think the decision by the game developers to protect neutral ships by having them sail inside of belligerent convoys is wrong. There's no way any international court of law would look down upon an attacker taking out a "neutral" behaving thus. As well, is it realistic to expect a U-boat captain, often forced to attack in the dark and/or from some distance due to increased convoy protection or operational conditions, to discern nationalities from a mass of shipping and not to attack the privileged "neutrals?" What about when you start firing FAT's or even an errant torpedo that missed its intended target and hits the next ship over? The whole idea is blatantly ridiculous! It would be like a Red Cross ambulance driving in a convoy of panzers in Normandy protesting because it came under fire from Allied fighters and bombers!

I simply edit the relevant file, [basic.cfg?] to change the "-1" on the neutral line to "1." Having done so, I am no longer penalized for sinking a neutral. In turn, I do not willy nilly sink any neutrals on sight. If a neutral is sailing independently I do not attack it, even if it appears to be headed to Britain. If it is sailing as part of a belligerent convoy, she's a legitimate target. I feel these restrictions are a fair balance on my part, removing the consequences for sinking neutrals acting in a hostile manner but also allowing me to abide by an honourable code of conduct in respect to neutrals in general.

Edit: The file to modify is "basic" and it is found in the data\cfg folder inside your game directory. Near the top of the file you will find the line for neutral; you can edit the file with a basic text editor or word processing file. Don't forget to save the changes before you exit.

[Draka]

I also follow the basic policy that K-61 spoke of.

In addition, I was a tad short to the OP earlier - was rushed. But think about it - normally in any kind of fog there is no wind - or the fog would very shortly be cleared off. In that situation, the flag even if flown is limp and just hanging down - VERY hard to see and ID. Ditto in any strong wind - either they take it down, or it is whipping so hard it again is hard to see, and in addition has a very good chance to be in tatters soon.

Under prize rules, a darkened ship was presumed to be non-neutral as she is obviously trying to be sneaky - a true neutral will be brilliantly lit up with the flag especially lit up whenever she is anywhere near known hostile waters. Act accordingly.

[Capt. Teach]

I follow the same rules that K-61 does as well ... sorta. I'm of the opinion that if they are obviously headed to the UK then they are fair game.

I will not allow anyone to give aid and comfort to the enemy. If they don't want to be fired upon ... they can stay out of the war zone.


**Edit**
Exception to any hospital ships. They are strictly hands off for me.

[JokerOfFate]

I follow a strict policy:
If it fires at me,
It dies by me.
Also I don't attack unarmed merchants below 1000-3000 tonnes unless its a bad day or their part of a convoy and have escorts

Like Capt. Teach I'd never attack a hospital ship the enemys wounded deserve their rest same as ours.

I run a quick check of all unconfirmed targets:
1. Check the flag, if unable to check flag go to step 2
2. Check ship type
3. Check to see if armed, if not then skip step 4
4. Move to "Blindspot" where they can't hit you(If impossible then not worth the risk as this is a warship/battleship)
5. Surface, man deck gun and fire a shot/SS over the ship, but don't hit it.
6. wait for it to react, if it lights you up its most likly hostile.
7. If armed check to see if it is trying to aim at you.

If it was unarmed surface go over their check the flag from short range.

I run this check every time I cann't see the flag and also never try this or try to attack a warship if you don't know who it belongs too.

Happy Hunting

[Gerald]

Well, I always check carefully the nationality of the ship is and what action she does, always double check, if there is an emergency, which usually occurs later in the war when ships are equipped with guns.

[JokerOfFate]

Well, I just enjoy the greatest US past time ever with the DG while trying to find uses for it...


...Blowing stuff up!