RFB/RSRDC Crew Questions

[TorpX]

#1 I think RFB only removed the enlisted 'special abilities'.

#4 The crew in the compartment can repair things. The 'Damage Control' can be used to supplement their efforts.

#5 No.

I wouldn't mind if there were explicitly designated positions like COB, but look at it this way: you have maximum flexibility. You can choose who you want to be your COB, etc.

The main thing about the crew is to use their 'special abilities' to advantage, and make sure the efficiencies of the compartments are at a good level; especially in combat.

[gregorm]

How long until crew abilities appear? I've just finished my 5th patrol and declined a new command since I want to see some abilities on my sailors. Are they randomly assigned or do they appear after a certain number of patrols?

My E-7's and O-3's still aren't gaining experience. Is that WAD? Thanks again!

[TorpX]

Originally Posted by gregorm

How long until crew abilities appear?

You keep using the term 'abilities', so I'm not sure we are talking about the same thing. All crewmen will have skills, mechanical, electrical, sensory, etc. Only exceptional crewmen will have special abilities. These potentially offer a dramatic increase in performance in certain areas.

Some consider the whole 'special ability' business a gamey thing. Some mods have used special abilities as remedies for game flaws, that were otherwise unfixable. The point is, you should be able to play the game, and conduct successful patrols without any 'special ability' crewmen. I can't really say how the game hands out special abilities.

Some crew will not gain, or stop gaining experience, because they cannot be promoted. There are limits as to the number of officers/petty officers allowed on a boat. Beyond that, I'm not sure how the game operates.

[gregorm]

Thanks for the help Torp, I see now where the misunderstanding is. Been about 8 years since I last played and was hoping to see crew "abilities" like cook, pharmacist's mate, XO, COB, etc.. but instead we get generic buffs. Kind of weird. I see now why RFB took out the enlisted abilities.

Great changes made via 1.5, RFB, RSRDC and others but not so much done to crew management. Thanks again and happy hunting!

[Armistead]

If you have crew with special abilities they will have a different icon over them. You have to have them in the right compartment to work. Some are on timers and you have to activate them. Often you'll get several of the same. Mods vary.

[fireftr18]

There is no XO, Boat's Chief, cook, pharmicist's mate, etc. Those positions are just assumed and not in the crew management screen. The game assumes that the crew members are doing the day to day jobs. The crew management is for battle situations. There is no true chain of command except that you tell the crew what to do and they do it. All the hire rank crew members do is make the particular compartment more efficient.

[TorpX]

'Crew' fall into three categories in the game:

1. Crewmen - do the work

2. Leaders - also boost the efficiency of the crew in their compartment

3. Officers - also boost the efficiency of the crew in the entire boat

I don't know exactly how the game calculates the bonus given to the crew. Presumably, it is largely a function of their leadership skill/ability, but maybe hinges on other things, as well. There is a lot of things going on 'under the hood' as we TC through the hours.

Fwiw, someone said that the shift I 'deck watch' officer is the executive officer; meaning he is very important to the efficiency of the boat, and you shouldn't monkey around with him. I can't say for sure this is true, but it does seem like he is the best leader, and the hardest working officer on my boat.