One more question...

[AVGWarhawk]

Go in hull down and you can get that close.

[Ducimus]

The inheirant problem, if i remember correctly as it was explained to me, is that at night, the max visual distance of the AI, is 60% of what it is during the day.(edit: and i think this is hardcoded, like alot of other things in this game )

which means if a unit has a 9,000 KM max distance, it means it can see 5400 KM at night. After that point, weather and enviormental variables come into play, and your looking at distance of around 3,000 KM, give or take 1K.

The only solution that ive been able to find, is to reduce the max distance. ( Ie, 60% of a smaller distance = you get closer to ship) Unfortunatly, this effects daytime performance, so theres only so much you can do.

The solution is probably in creating larger waves or increasing the wave factor (in addition to adding extra visual nodes by unit type) . However, larger waves are a problem in SH4, because thigns like to blow up, sink, or submarines stop recharging their batteries because they think their submerged. Increasing the size of the waves, i think might be the anser, but its a HUGE kettle of fish, IF.. IF.. its the answer.

[AVGWarhawk]

It is a shame also that visual is not affected by the color of the sub. As you know, the subs were painted black and could be spotted at night quite easily. When they tried the gray color, subs were very hard to detect visually at night. This would be nice if it was taken into account.

[Powerthighs]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

and your looking at distance of around 3,000 KM

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

With realism mods enabled I'll never figure why anyone in their right minds would want to surface attack. If it's unarmed ships, ok, but DDs? That's suicide. Not only do you give away your location to every Tom, Dick and Beharry but you run the risk of injuring or killing some of your crew. I made that mistake once and a shell hit me hard. I found out later that about half the forward crew were either dead or badly injured.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by DavyJonesFootlocker

With realism mods enabled I'll never figure why anyone in their right minds would want to surface attack. If it's unarmed ships, ok, but DDs? That's suicide. Not only do you give away your location to every Tom, Dick and Beharry but you run the risk of injuring or killing some of your crew. I made that mistake once and a shell hit me hard. I found out later that about half the forward crew were either dead or badly injured.

Night time attack...certainly...day time...no.

[Mush Martin]

Originally Posted by DavyJonesFootlocker

With realism mods enabled I'll never figure why anyone in their right minds would want to surface attack. If it's unarmed ships, ok, but DDs? That's suicide. Not only do you give away your location to every Tom, Dick and Beharry but you run the risk of injuring or killing some of your crew. I made that mistake once and a shell hit me hard. I found out later that about half the forward crew were either dead or badly injured.

To save torpedo consumption on merchies most of the time
their gunners arent that good I was just too close when
I surfaced and Parallel abeam of them.

I know, please its embarrasing

[Penelope_Grey]

Well thanks muchly for the replies.... I just well, I think it would be good if you had some kind of indicator a la SH3 to let you know how stealthy you are or you aren't it would come in very handy to help you to learn the finer points quicker.

My motto is experience and theory... and hey, if you don't ask you don't learn.

I wrote SH4 off in the beginning but ater its fourth patch I dont' think its too bad now at all.

For me, attacking on the surface is just instinct now, when its dark I attack surfaced. So you can imagine the shock I had when I did a textbook SH3/GWX style night time approach and then they all of a sudden began zig zagging!

The 2.1 keeps one occupied now. But its nice to be able to learn to play both games properly.

[Nuc]

Originally Posted by DavyJonesFootlocker

With realism mods enabled I'll never figure why anyone in their right minds would want to surface attack.

Possible reasons:

1. So you can attack targets that would otherwise get away becasue of slower
submerged speed.

2. Maneuver faster to attack multiple targets.

3. Get a more accurate fire control solution. (probably not true in the sim but I think it might have been the case in the RW)

Is it worth the risk? that's both a RW and sim decision.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by DavyJonesFootlocker

With realism mods enabled I'll never figure why anyone in their right minds would want to surface attack. If it's unarmed ships, ok, but DDs? That's suicide. Not only do you give away your location to every Tom, Dick and Beharry but you run the risk of injuring or killing some of your crew.

Well if it's true realism, you'd attack on the surface at night as you wouldn't be able to see anything using your periscope. You could get in and get out in the resulting confusion without giving away your position. DD's gun effective gunnery range was about 2000 yards from what I've read, so it could be done, and it was done. That's realism.

[Ducimus]

Originally Posted by Powerthighs

Give or take 1K.

You could probably be in as close as 2500 meters or so, but the instant you turned on your heel to get out of dodge, said unit with daytime max distance of 9K would see you.