Planes are starting to annoy me

[tater]

Originally Posted by WEBSTER

just in case you missed this little detail on TMO, the planes can often "see" you even at 300' so if your gliding along and suddenly die for no reason, that is why.

Unless it has changed grossly from the last time I looked, the air-dropped DC types used have 2 det depths, 25m and 45m or something like that. That means you can't be hit below around 45m, period (air-dropped DCs actually blow at their set depths, unlike ship based DCs). That's under 150', BTW.

[Wilcke]

Just some food for thought when considering Japanese Air Cover. Credit for the research goes to Ancient46.

http://www.ussarcherfish.com/warptrl/patrols.htm

"The complete reports for all seven Archerfish patrols in WW2. Patrol 1-11 aircraft contacts; Patrol 2-27 aircraft contacts; Patrol 3-40 aircraft contacts; Patrol 4-39 aircraft contacts; Patrol 5-10 aircraft contacts; Patrol 6-29 aircraft contacts; Patrol 7-3 aircraft contacts."


Thank you!

Happy Hunting!

[donut]

Originally Posted by tater

Unless it has changed grossly from the last time I looked, the air-dropped DC types used have 2 det depths, 25m and 45m or something like that. That means you can't be hit below around 45m, period (air-dropped DCs actually blow at their set depths, unlike ship based DCs). That's under 150', BTW.

Blown to deep 6 @ 150' by A/C. Also,after polishing of 4 ship convoy,& 2 escorts.
2 DD's pick me up @ max Sonar range,cruseing @400' running silent @ 1Kts. Blown to Davy Jones again ! Then he says he put thermal back to stock in 1.6.3:rotfl:
Duci's evil is outa-hand Webster's better A/C patrols helps some.

[tater]

45m is ~147', there is a depth error in those DCs of a few to several meters.

[PoweredBySoy]

Originally Posted by Wilcke

"The complete reports for all seven Archerfish patrols in WW2. Patrol 1-11 aircraft contacts; Patrol 2-27 aircraft contacts; Patrol 3-40 aircraft contacts; Patrol 4-39 aircraft contacts; Patrol 5-10 aircraft contacts; Patrol 6-29 aircraft contacts; Patrol 7-3 aircraft contacts."

And like I was saying, I wouldn't mind it so much if there was a strong presence of Japanese air power. It's more I just think they're poorly presented in this game. Whenever they appear on radar, they're always heading right in your direction - which makes them seem more like a static game mechanic to put you in danger, and less like a living air force. And they often seem to have an uncanny ability to track your sub at 200' down - which of course doesn't stop them from trying to drop surface bombs on me.

That being said, I recently started a new campaign based in Indonesia, and there a lot less planes. In fact, after 2 patrols I don't think I've even seen one yet. Apparently it's just the Japanese mainland that is infested with them.

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by PoweredBySoy

It's more I just think they're poorly presented in this game. Whenever they appear on radar, they're always heading right in your direction - which makes them seem more like a static game mechanic to put you in danger, and less like a living air force.

Sadly, that's the nature of spawning. The planes aren't there to appear unless you're around. On occasion, I have seen some cross perpendicular to my path of travel. Sometimes in front, sometimes astern.

[Rockin Robbins]

If you'll read the infamous "readme that nobody reads" for TMO you will read that very occasionally, not "often", planes can sight you below 100'. The situation is very clearly explained and the modding tradeoffs made known. My personal opinion is that Ducimus' Evil Airplanes, without modification of frequency or sensors, is the greatest single achievement in modding SH4.

Please keep in mind that TMO is not about reality at all. It is about challenging gameplay. In this case, Ducimus has achieved both. The sub captains were also annoyed by airplanes, so I have to give TMO a medal for achieving that realism within the game. Frustration is part of the spectrum of things that need to be simulated in a serious simulation of World War II submarines in the Pacific Theater. Sounds like you're getting the full experience. That's a solid gold success in my book. Too bad it's so easy to change it and ruin the experience.

Also, it you'll follow my procedure for dealing with these evil airplanes you'll see that there are LOTS of airplanes that show up on radar that do not pass overhead, or even close enough to detect you. All observations to the contrary are just wrong.

[Soterius]

This is RIDICULOUS!!! I'm travelling from Surabaya to Manila and it's taken me 2 hours (real time) to get HALF WAY THERE! The planes pop up every minute or so and they just keep coming during my whole journey! I can speed the time up only when in between attacks but the rate at which the planes appear is ridiculous. This way, it's gonna take me 4 days (real time) to finish my patrol. Come on, this may be a simulation game so it may be a bit more difficult but this just makes me want to uninstall the game and never play it again. Seriously, have the developers lost their minds? What person could possibly enjoy this game when this stuff happens???

I'm dead serious, I'm really considering to quit playing and throw the game away. I just can't believe they meesed this game up so big! A game should be fun, this is the opossite...

[Torplexed]

Well...it's a good thing you never picked up SH3 then. In that sim by 1944 the skies are black with Allied planes and your U-Boat has no decent radar to speak of. Crash dive all day. War is all hell.

[Rockin Robbins]

And note that if you are spotted planes will be called in. You will be rightly swarmed. As you would have been in Japanese dominated waters in a real sub.

Oh, there are thousands who enjoy the game. Doubtless there are thousands who do not. But they are not spending time at Subsim. They are playing Unreal Tournament III or Ratchet and Clank. By the way, enemy AI in Unreal Tournament III is lousy.

[AngronIsAngry]

Sometimes I wonder if there is a spy satellite or something in the game. I'm cruising along to my patrol points not even thinking about radioing in at HQ, having nothing but water and fishies in well over 100 nautical miles in any direction of your liking and out of nowhere I'm getting airborne radar contacts (and from time to time a surprising "Aircraft SPOTTED! Everbody PANIC!").

Have the japs really sent their planes out into the middle of nowhere? It looks like they are throwing darts at a map and send the planes to hereby marked position. If so, I shall never play dart against anyone remotely japanese because they have been pretty good at pinpointing me (at least not at nailing me to the ocean ground).

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by AngronIsAngry

Have the japs really sent their planes out into the middle of nowhere? It looks like they are throwing darts at a map and send the planes to hereby marked position. If so, I shall never play dart against anyone remotely japanese because they have been pretty good at pinpointing me (at least not at nailing me to the ocean ground).

The stock game does ever do the airplane contacts. However, the Japanese did have some aircraft with phenomenal range like the Kawanishi flying boat. Even some of their fighters like the nimble Zero could fly long distances. In reality aircraft might also be 'island hopping'. In transit from one island base to another which would greatly extend their range. However, if you run into one mid-Pacific it does stretch credulity.

[rubenandthejets]

Originally Posted by Soterius

This is RIDICULOUS!!! I'm travelling from Surabaya to Manila and it's taken me 2 hours (real time) to get HALF WAY THERE! The planes pop up every minute or so and they just keep coming during my whole journey! I can speed the time up only when in between attacks but the rate at which the planes appear is ridiculous. This way, it's gonna take me 4 days (real time) to finish my patrol. Come on, this may be a simulation game so it may be a bit more difficult but this just makes me want to uninstall the game and never play it again. Seriously, have the developers lost their minds? What person could possibly enjoy this game when this stuff happens???

I'm dead serious, I'm really considering to quit playing and throw the game away. I just can't believe they meesed this game up so big! A game should be fun, this is the opossite...

Next time just stay on the surface and shoot them all down-that's what the AAA is for.:rotfl:

OK, seriously, just snail through at periscope depth during the day, then get on top once it's dark-in stock 1.4 you're pretty safe at night. TMO though........

[surf_ten]

I have TMO and I have yet to be harrashed by planes at night. Unless it happens after 42. Unfortunately, I haven't had a career past 42 (damn recon missions that bring into the inner harbors). I usually travel submerged at 150' during the day and surface close to nightfall to gain distance.

[ancient46]

There is a historical air cover mod that gives instructions on reducing the frequency of air contacts. In the land folder you can go through the Japanese Air bases ans ships to reduce the number of air squadrons available to fly. Both these methods can virtually eliminate airplane flights in the game if that is what you want. No one that likes Submarine games need give up on this game since it can be tailored to your style of play with a little work. One of the finest features in this game is the room it allows Modders to work.