Hunting subs in '68

Julhelm · 06-30-17, 04:08 AM

The shorter distance scale might actually make the 68 campaign more entertaining. With much of the emphasis being getting into the opponent's baffles, it plays out much like slow air combat underwater.

Bringing everything closer into the camera certainly makes the combat more visually appealing and more cinematic like Hunt For Red October or so.

The interesting thing about compressing the distances is that the tactics don't really change, since sensor performance gets adjusted accordingly - in practice it works out like time compression.

Shadow · 06-30-17, 09:43 PM

So on my next mission I did in fact practice my torpedo wrangling.

It was just one November, which I managed to detect fairly early. After some careful initial maneuvering into her baffles, I accelerated to standard speed to close the distance but lost the contact in the process. Not sure if that happened due to my speed or the SSN stopping cold, though that might explain how the Soviet saw me coming and fired a total of three torpedoes at me.

But I was too close by then, and shortly after picking up to flank I zigged, then zagged, and then swooped under the enemy sub as her torpedoes went nuts in the area. It really didn't take long at all for one of them to lock onto its owner and promptly punch her lights out. I was fast and maneuvering aggressively, while the November could barely react to the chaos around her.

The second torpedo soon found the now-sinking Soviet again, as I was already drifting away. The third warhead circled around the vicinity for a good long while, but never found me.

So overall, this is cool, this is great, but with a fast sub and some practice, I fear it might turn exploitable. The AI doesn't seem to react all that well to its own torpedoes locking on to it (though that may be part of the general AI issues), and at least in the '68 campaign, my first impression after these last couple of missions is that it may well be a better idea to perfect torpedo wrangling than bother with Mk 37s in sub-to-sub engagements.

caine007 · 07-05-17, 04:59 AM

The Skipjack can at least catch just about anything in the water. I found the Sturgeon is a nightmare in '68. Definitely a lesson in patience.

I can see it might be better at surface attacks being so quiet for the era but it's so hard to get close enough for a decent Mk 37 shot on anything but the oldest diesel subs.

Really makes me wish you got partial credit for missions because while you might be able to ambush one target, once you lose the element of surprise you might as well head home.

06-30-17, 09:43 PM	#2
Shadow Torpedoman Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Buenos Aires Posts: 112 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 2	So on my next mission I did in fact practice my torpedo wrangling. It was just one November, which I managed to detect fairly early. After some careful initial maneuvering into her baffles, I accelerated to standard speed to close the distance but lost the contact in the process. Not sure if that happened due to my speed or the SSN stopping cold, though that might explain how the Soviet saw me coming and fired a total of three torpedoes at me. But I was too close by then, and shortly after picking up to flank I zigged, then zagged, and then swooped under the enemy sub as her torpedoes went nuts in the area. It really didn't take long at all for one of them to lock onto its owner and promptly punch her lights out. I was fast and maneuvering aggressively, while the November could barely react to the chaos around her. The second torpedo soon found the now-sinking Soviet again, as I was already drifting away. The third warhead circled around the vicinity for a good long while, but never found me. So overall, this is cool, this is great, but with a fast sub and some practice, I fear it might turn exploitable. The AI doesn't seem to react all that well to its own torpedoes locking on to it (though that may be part of the general AI issues), and at least in the '68 campaign, my first impression after these last couple of missions is that it may well be a better idea to perfect torpedo wrangling than bother with Mk 37s in sub-to-sub engagements. __________________ Shadow's Cold Waters mods (JSGME-friendly) = Longer Campaigns: Marathon Edition = 500-yard MAD range

06-30-17, 04:08 AM	#1
Julhelm Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Icy North Posts: 693 Downloads: 189 Uploads: 0	The shorter distance scale might actually make the 68 campaign more entertaining. With much of the emphasis being getting into the opponent's baffles, it plays out much like slow air combat underwater. Bringing everything closer into the camera certainly makes the combat more visually appealing and more cinematic like Hunt For Red October or so. The interesting thing about compressing the distances is that the tactics don't really change, since sensor performance gets adjusted accordingly - in practice it works out like time compression.

07-05-17, 04:59 AM	#3
caine007 A-ganger Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 72 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	The Skipjack can at least catch just about anything in the water. I found the Sturgeon is a nightmare in '68. Definitely a lesson in patience. I can see it might be better at surface attacks being so quiet for the era but it's so hard to get close enough for a decent Mk 37 shot on anything but the oldest diesel subs. Really makes me wish you got partial credit for missions because while you might be able to ambush one target, once you lose the element of surprise you might as well head home.