Collision Avoidance?

[Didd]

Here's what happened...

I have just made the step up to no map contacts and was heading out of Wilhelmshaven on my first patrol since this change, my little guide vessel turns to go home and I'm on my own - almost. In the distance I can see a row of three friendly merchants. That's fine I'll go below, plot my course and off we go. This duly completed I upped the TC to 128 and relax listening to Jimbuna's excellent collection of atmospheric records, when I think hang on....that sounds like a very loud engine, what's going on? Best go up topside and see. I was more than a little surprised to see one of the three merchants rafted up next me as we're headed on our merry way! Needless to say I was now on his course and not vice-versa. There was no scraping or grinding until I tried to turn away, so put the brakes on instead then turned across astern to return to course. Phew! That was close. That would've been a stupid way to end a promising career. Still I suppose that's what you get for leaving Bernard on watch!

I guess I must have caught it a glancing blow and it scooped me up. My question is this. With map updates on I noticed that other shipping got out of way although sometimes at the last minute. So is there a difference with the collision avoidance with own sub with map updates on/off? Do I now have to take more care now when a neutral or friendly is gesichted and check it's not on a constant bearing?

Didd

[Dissaray]

Your problem may have been one of TC rather that map updates. As I understand it the higher the TC the fewer checks the game's engen can make and therefor the few adjustments the game can make. One manifestation most of us are familiar with is the never ending storms seen at high TCs. This may also effect the colition avoidance routines fo the game as well. Simply put your boat closed in so fast on the merchant ship that the program didn't see you coming untill it was too late, if it saw you coming in at all. Say at check one you were at the minimum safe distance so no action was necisary but then at 128 TC the next check was after you ramed them, making any avoidance rather moot. The same thing can hapen with air attacks, all the suden you just start exploding. Though you generaly don't run into this kind of problem at TCs that low, generaly above 128 is the problem spot.

Just speculation on my part though. I would not be at all suprized if I were corrected any time now....

[Jimbuna]

Not a bad response....the magical/game changing number for tc, or the point where the game engine begins to lag in so many AI areas is around 128 and higher.

[Paul Riley]

You should be fine at x128 for MOST situations,but not all.

Dissaray,you are right,any higher than x128 and thats when the problems seem to arise.And in areas notorious for having strong air cover like the bay of Biscay (1942 onwards the air threat becomes very serious) I would suggest going no higher than x32,or you will have no time to pound the 'C' key and you will be bombed before you can even bellow "ALAAAAAAAAAAARM!"
So in a nutshell the safest policy (for me that is) would be -
- general cruising use x128,
- when approaching/and are in areas with strong air cover use x32
- map plotting,observation phase,preparing an attack,overhauling/getting into position,the actual attack,evasion,depth charge attacks,use real time x1

POINT OF INTEREST - I personally have had no problems with collisions or anything like that before,other than almost scraping the bow while entering the sub pen at night once,and have certainly not experienced any adverse situations at x128,only when at higher TC than x32 when being attacked by planes.The watch simply dont spot them and the bombs have already landed on the deck!.

[Didd]

I've never had any problems with aircraft at 128 tc yet, although before changing to GWX (isn't it great?) I resorted to travelling submerged during the day when in range of aircraft because there were so many of the damn things buzzing around. The volume of aircraft seems much reduced in GWX, although it's only 1940 just yet so threre's plenty of time!

You wouldn't have thought that a dirty great ship would sneak up on me under tc though.

[geosub1978]

Yes, for close proximity, high time compression causes problems and it seems the game doesn't have the time to react... Let's say if you approach the piers even with ahead slow and a clear ending point of the route, then if the time compression is above 32 (lagging beggins for big zooms) your submarine will run aground for sure. Something like that may have happened.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Didd

The volume of aircraft seems much reduced in GWX, although it's only 1940 just yet so threre's plenty of time!

Looking forward to mid 42 and onwards then?

[KL-alfman]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Looking forward to mid 42 and onwards then?

without Metox nobody survives the cruise out of Biscay Bay then .....

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by KL-alfman

without Metox nobody survives the cruise out of Biscay Bay then .....

Many have tried and many have failed

[Didd]

Sounds like a challenge!

[pickinthebanjo]

Originally Posted by Didd

Sounds like a challenge!

I was thinking the same thing.

[Paul Riley]

Originally Posted by KL-alfman

without Metox nobody survives the cruise out of Biscay Bay then .....

By that point every UBoat should be issued with a bible (if you're Christian of course),photos of their loved ones,Playboy/girl magazines,crates of Vodka or other similar lethal liquers,and each man should own his own Luger/and or cyanide pill

[Jimbuna]

Safest (if that is the right word) way is to travel submerged for as long as possible during the day....even then there is no guarantee of safe passage.

[geosub1978]

To travel submerged and at a depth> 40 meters

[Paul Riley]

Even safer,refuse the mission and go into exile