these DDs ain't stupid

orangenee · 05-04-07, 09:20 PM

I had a run in with some DDs but managed to get away from them, it took a long time though they kept finding me again, then once they seemed to have given up, they ate some torpedo. The AI seems pretty tight to me.

Tarl · 05-04-07, 09:48 PM

I mentioned this in a different thread. Enemy AI appears to vary from contact to contact. Not sure if the timeline has anything to do with it, but I started a campaign in Dec 1941 and was forced to retire in early 1943. Too bad because I just acquired a Balao class sub.

So.... restarted a new campaign in early 1944 and started with a Balao this time. (I mean comeon, I had already been promoted into one).

...the missions I've played this time around, very TUFF AI for the DDs. I've been sunk twice and damaged so bad (other times) where I couldn't continue the mission, repair or make it back to base (ie, rudder destroyed, dive planes destroyed...etc.)

So yes, earlier in the game I had some DDs that were easy to fool and get around, and I've had some really TUFF cookies that continue to persist and track you, DC u and actually sink u.

-Pv- · 05-05-07, 12:15 AM

I've also seen strong indication the enemy AI improves with war period and that would be historically correct.

I've had a lot of trouble with armed cargo ships.
Finishing them off with cannon isn't always a safe thing. I now attack them from the far side after they've begin listing.

Some aircraft are sneaky. Will watch them fly by and circle around on radar, then come back at low level under the radar (getting a late visual) for a quick straif. My whole crew gets a very heart pounding workout when this happens.

The task force sub hunters use a very effective technique that's hard to counter, so I work to avoid them.

The distances, highly variable weather, shallow target areas around complex island chains is very satisfying to me. Knowing how effective the DDs and DCs can be, it's very satisfying when I evade near misses with the boat rocking to the DC dance.
Over-all, I find this game more challenging than SH3 though the convoy evasion logic needs some work. In the Silent Service game I knew I only had one good shot at the convoy before I would be pounded under for sometimes hours before I could give the long chase to contact for a second try. I've yet to experience that level in this game although the DD can keep me effectively pinned once they know where to look. I try to deny them that which adds to the planning and drama in the attack. Once I hear the steady pinging, I know the dance is about the start and I have to give the game my full attention.
-Pv-

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05-04-07, 09:20 PM	#1
orangenee Engineer Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 211 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I had a run in with some DDs but managed to get away from them, it took a long time though they kept finding me again, then once they seemed to have given up, they ate some torpedo. The AI seems pretty tight to me.

05-04-07, 09:48 PM	#2
Tarl Watch Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 18 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	I mentioned this in a different thread. Enemy AI appears to vary from contact to contact. Not sure if the timeline has anything to do with it, but I started a campaign in Dec 1941 and was forced to retire in early 1943. Too bad because I just acquired a Balao class sub. So.... restarted a new campaign in early 1944 and started with a Balao this time. (I mean comeon, I had already been promoted into one). ...the missions I've played this time around, very TUFF AI for the DDs. I've been sunk twice and damaged so bad (other times) where I couldn't continue the mission, repair or make it back to base (ie, rudder destroyed, dive planes destroyed...etc.) So yes, earlier in the game I had some DDs that were easy to fool and get around, and I've had some really TUFF cookies that continue to persist and track you, DC u and actually sink u.

05-05-07, 12:15 AM	#3
-Pv- The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,434 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I've also seen strong indication the enemy AI improves with war period and that would be historically correct. I've had a lot of trouble with armed cargo ships. Finishing them off with cannon isn't always a safe thing. I now attack them from the far side after they've begin listing. Some aircraft are sneaky. Will watch them fly by and circle around on radar, then come back at low level under the radar (getting a late visual) for a quick straif. My whole crew gets a very heart pounding workout when this happens. The task force sub hunters use a very effective technique that's hard to counter, so I work to avoid them. The distances, highly variable weather, shallow target areas around complex island chains is very satisfying to me. Knowing how effective the DDs and DCs can be, it's very satisfying when I evade near misses with the boat rocking to the DC dance. Over-all, I find this game more challenging than SH3 though the convoy evasion logic needs some work. In the Silent Service game I knew I only had one good shot at the convoy before I would be pounded under for sometimes hours before I could give the long chase to contact for a second try. I've yet to experience that level in this game although the DD can keep me effectively pinned once they know where to look. I try to deny them that which adds to the planning and drama in the attack. Once I hear the steady pinging, I know the dance is about the start and I have to give the game my full attention. -Pv-