Decision time... IX or VII...

[Pevs86]

I'm an IX fan.

I love my IX types, love the reloads most, but also the aditional firepower from meh 105.

But I need some friendly, or hostile, advice

August 1940 - still early days I know, but I'm noticing my lovely boats weaknesses (thanks to GWX, hehe)

Firstly, the Cons:

Dive Time. Not something I ever worried about in stock SHIII, but now the RAF will spot me - I'll dive - they'll dive - I'll still be diving... - they'll drop - I'll be just about underwater when the bomb crashes down on my deck.

Size. Getting spotted even before I spot DDs sometimes, coupled with Dive time this isn't much fun for my nerves!

Maneuverability - kind of a follow up on size, on the surface it's not a problem, but underwater is another matter.

Now Pros:

Torps! More fishes than I know what to do with. Can use 2 on the larger guys without worry.

Speed - nice surface speed, even without any engine upgrades

Pros with cons, or vice versa...

Range - More room to chase but getting sent to the middle of nowhere kinda sucks.

Armament - 105mm ftw, but for how long before armed merchants?

To be honest, not much experience in VII types, I had a VIIB (who hasn't) but as soon as my lovely IXB becomes available I shift over, I've never had a VIIC - let alone the later /41 or /42s. Also I'm wondering if, as the VIIIC was the main UBoat of the war, if it wont get all the nice upgrades before my IX type, or maybe even get some that my IXs don't get?

Aaanyway, opinions please

I can't make my mind up, I love the boat to bits, but on my current patrol (alt tabbed atm) I've been bombed twice, straffed by Hurri's once, DCd twice and spotted by 3 Merchants on approach (probably me being careless but was about 4km out, maybe 5)

[Rykaird]

Amazing how often this comes up!

You can compensate for just about every weakness of a IXB - the question is, do you want to?

For example, I nailed my first ever liner in Freetown harbor - had to back into a narrow dock slip while submerged in order to get enough room for the torpedoes to arm. So a IXB can maneuver under water, it's just harder.

You can run decks slightly to fully awash to cut dive times, etc.

You get the idea. The question comes down to this, in my opinion: Do you want to regularly visit New York? Curacao? Galveston? Port Said? Then for sure get a IX.

But if your war consists primarily of cleaning grids like AM52, thrashing convoys night after night, and raiding local harbors like Scapa, stay with the VII.

And lastly, you can always switch back. I've never lived long enough, but you could always go from VIIB to IXB and then to a VIIC once the IXB starts to become too much of a sonar target.

[Pevs86]

hmm, that's a fair point, can always switch back!

Just used 12 torps on 4 ships, 50% duds - talk about bad luck - so sticking with my IX for at least one more patrol... also the VIIC involves a transfer - another pro as i HATE Lorient

[Ducimus]

The answer isnt to change boats - it's to change tactics.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

The answer isnt to change boats - it's to change tactics.

Agreed, all depends upon what you want and plan to do, have a look at each boats specs, what it has or does not have to offer, then decide

[Pevs86]

heh, I just can't let go of my IX... I need them torpedos, I need the range...

2nd Career sounds like a damned good idea tho

[Brag]

Yup--it all hinges on whether you want to go to faraway places. If that is not important, stick with the VII.

I never got killed in a VII, whereas I got zonked twice in a IXB. If the Tommies will do it to me again, I'm switching back to the VIIC.

[Ducimus]

Again, tactics. A type9 takes patience. Its like that old joke, the one about the young bull and an old bull sitting on a hill watching a field of grazing cow?

The biggest adjustmet you can make is staying under during daylight, dawn, and dusk. You also HAVE to know when its too late to dive, and what to do when it is - this is a crucial decision you have to make in a couple seconds. A type7 is much more forgiving in this regard.

[jth]

Well, hard decision.
Personally, I like the VII more than the IX. The faster dive times of the VII saved my live maybe more often than I could count. On the other hand, long travels around Africa or to the US west coast are a little bit too long in my opinion. Nothing is more frustrating travelling half around the world only to get killed by an airplane
But, like already said, it is a questions of tactics (well, or personal favor) which boat to take. If you like long hauls, planning long-termed attacks on a convoy or simply seeing the world, the IX is yours. Otherwise, I think the VII will suit much better.

[Pevs86]

When I first got the game I travelled around with unlimited fuel, found most ports to be pretty inactive.

But, with GWX, I suppose there's a good reason to travel to the US Coast, India, Africa, etc ?

If someone can tell me that they're busy then I really don't mind putting in the extra hours, it's arriving and there being nothing that i find disheartening

The IXB has a place in meh heart... but... the RAF...

*runs off to start flipping coins and rolling dice

[Hartmann]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Again, tactics. A type9 takes patience. Its like that old joke, the one about the young bull and an old bull sitting on a hill watching a field of grazing cow?

The biggest adjustmet you can make is staying under during daylight, dawn, and dusk. You also HAVE to know when its too late to dive, and what to do when it is - this is a crucial decision you have to make in a couple seconds. A type7 is much more forgiving in this regard.

I´m fully agree with Ducimus.

Is matter of know the boat limitations and avantages

Also IX-B has a slight better dive times compared with IXC i think, but i´m not sure if is this modelled in the game or GWX.:hmm:

i´m always used big boats since aces of the deep and sh1