Biggest differences between RFB and TMO?

[swdw]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

If you ask a WWII sub sailor what realism was, their description will come much closer to Trigger Maru than RFB.

Based on which version of RFB?

Also, different boats had different experiences with scooting under a thermal layer. There WERE boats that were able to drop below the thermal layer and just slowly chug away. THere were escorts that threw a few depth charges and left. THe 1.4 version of RFB runs the whole spectrum. Sometimes it's pretty easy, at other times I had a DC attack last over 8 hours because of rolling in Peto's extended DC evasion mod in the 1.4 version. Putting it at 3 knots and toodling off was not working. RFB also uses less attenuation for the layer than stock, so they CAN follow you.

Both RFB and TMO have varying levels of escort aggressiveness and experience. In fact, I slipped into an entire convoy in TMO with the lead escorsts only dropping about 10 DC's total and then losing me under the layer. Early in the war so they probably had a low level of experience. After hitting 3 merchants, I underwent a 10 minute DC attack before losing them . . . by slipping below the layer and heading off at 3 knots after a DC run.

As for your reference to the Puffer. Yes things like that have happened with the new damage changes LukeFF has put in for 1.5. Had a depth charge go off close and injure 2/3 of the people in the control room, start flooding, knock out some gear. About 4 depth charges later the same thing happened to the engine room.This was tested some before you were in the group.

So when you make comments like that, it might be better to preface them with "earlier versions of RFB", until you've had a chance to mess with the new one (of which the beta for the testers is uploading at this time), especially combined with AG's RFB air layer. There are things he's done in the air layer for RFB not in TMO or RSRD.

[u.Prestige]

I havn't tried RFB 1.4 yet, I play TMO1.5 (with SP1 bravo & SP2)+RSRDC371 now.
I found too many unscorted single merchants in TMO, espesially in Celebs Sea, campaign mode 1942 and early 1943.
That's fun but is it historical realistic?

[swdw]

Originally Posted by u.Prestige

I havn't tried RFB 1.4 yet, I play TMO1.5 (with SP1 bravo & SP2)+RSRDC371 now.
I found too many unscorted single merchants in TMO, espesially in Celebs Sea, campaign mode 1942 and early 1943.
That's fun but is it historical realistic?

Yes, the Pacific is a much bigger ocean than the atlantic and the japanese had a huge number of shipping routes betwen obtaining their raw materials and supplying all their outlying posts. Early in the war they just didn't have enough escorts to adequately cover their shipping. Even later in the war the amount of ASW required compared to what was actually available was still not enough. It wasn't unusual to see small convoys escorted by aircraft instead of ASW ships when within range of airbases.

[swdw]

Originally Posted by gAiNiAc

Question for you folks who've played both, what are the major differences you've noticed between these two mods?

Right now I'm playing TMO with RSRD.........on 1.5.

Here's a couple of the MAJOR differences

TMO has it's own highly developed built in campaign. RFB has a campiagn layer, but we really recommend you use RSRD or Improved campaign layers instead as it hasn't been worked on since the 1.3 release.

RFB's pre 1943 torpedoes will drive you off the deep end. TMO's will only make you pull your hair out by the roots Did I say only? Either way, it's still FUBAR for the sub skipper.:rotfl:

There are some differences in the sensors, both for the subs and AI. RFB's follow historical values. TMO starts there and tweaks them in either direction depending on whether Ducimus wanted to add playability or a challenge.

RFB is the source of the draft and dive rate mod. Not only do the subs look better, it allows you to sneak in at night on the surface as the range you can be spotted at visually has decreased. Also, things like acceleration, and turning radius are historically accurate. Underwater depth changes are slower in RFB than TMO

Stay tuned though, as Ducimus is working on his own version for TMO.

With the new RFB, boats and crews are more vulnerable than in TMO, and there are differences in the aircraft's abilities to spot you. Some make it easier to be spotted in RFB, some make it easier to be spotted in TMO- it depends on the situation.

TMO is more of a supermod than anything else out for SH4 at this time. RFB needs to be combined with other mods to be considered a supermod.

I would like to add that Ducimus is an incredible modder who's experience and understanding of the game engine and files are, in my opinion, unmatched by any other single individual. You can find groups of people that may match him, or someone that knows more about a particular area. But another single individual with his overall knowledge? I highly doubt it. He doesn't get anyway near the recognition and respect he should get for his hard work and sheer genius when it comes to thinking outside the box and then finding a way to make it happen.

So there you go. Which one should you use?

Survey says . . . the one that closest fits your idea of what you'd like SH4 to be.

[kylesplanet]

Originally Posted by u.Prestige

I havn't tried RFB 1.4 yet, I play TMO1.5 (with SP1 bravo & SP2)+RSRDC371 now.
I found too many unscorted single merchants in TMO, espesially in Celebs Sea, campaign mode 1942 and early 1943.
That's fun but is it historical realistic?

Ducimus can correct me if I'm wrong but if your running RSRD, TMO has nothing to do with unescorted traffic, that is RSRD which is historically right on the money.

[DrBeast]

Originally Posted by swdw

So there you go. Which one should you use?

Survey says . . . the one that closest fits your idea of what you'd like SH4 to be.

And that sums it up pretty well.
Whichever mod you pick, it's a win-win situation for you the player. I may not be using either mod (call me weird! ), but I can recognize quality when I see it, and both mods are chock-full of that.

[Ducimus]

swdw, you give me too much lip service! Thanks for the kind words though, i appreciate it. On that note, i have to say the RFB folks are making leaps and bounds. Some of their efforts im really impressed with. Infact, sometimes i feel like im "keeping up with the jones's" !!

A one man modding team (IE, me, myself, and I), cannot last very long when working with a large project like TM. Its quite frankly become, "Too Much" for me now. I will have no choice but to throw in the towel soon. RFB however has the moxie to continue development, and will push ahead long after ive said, "ok, thats it, ive had enough". In the end, i think RFB will be twice the mod TM ever is. All thats needed is time, and patience. (the latter of which im more and more becoming in short supply of)

Ducimus can correct me if I'm wrong but if your running RSRD, TMO has nothing to do with unescorted traffic, that is RSRD which is historically right on the money.

If your running RSRD, all traffic is property of RSRD, i have nothing to do with it. Rest assured that RSRD is as historically accurate is possible. As to unescorted traffic, it is my understanding that convoys weren't really implemented by any substantial effort by the japanese tell late in the war. However, some of the accounts ive read are real humdinggers! Im sure as the war progresses, the campaign will follow things as how they were. B the end of the war, i suspect you'll be doing alot of anti-picket boat sweeps, and dodging mines while entering the sea of japan.