Level of detail ref: sub combat

[Ron Saueracker]

Hey guys! Can you enlighten me as to what level of detail is utilized in UV and WITP? ie. sub class variables like range, torpedo capacity and number of tubes, diving depth, speed etc. How, if modelled, do these differences affect combat resolution?

[Ron Saueracker]

No info? I'm very interested in sub ops and a bit of info would go a long way to slake the thirst.

[Ron Saueracker]

How are sub attacks and asw resolved?

[Snigbert]

Well, I haven't paid a great deal of attention to subs, to be honest. You have different classes with different range, armor, number of torpedoes, etc.

Typically you fire off a volley of 4-8 torpedoes, depending on the type of sub....then either you get a chance to fire again, or the escorts are on you and it sees whether you are hit or not based on some kind of behind the scenes algorithms.

You can also fire your deck gun at incapacitated ships, which is fun.

[Erik Rutins]

From the manual:

Submarines may attack on the surface or submerged. If the target of the attack does not look too threatening to the submarine skipper, he may attack on the surface. He is much more likely to try this at night, when escorts have difficulty spotting him. "Mush" Morton became the first Allied submarine hero, making a surface attack against an escorted convoy in the Wahoo.

Submarines may also attack submerged if the task force has surface combat ships or it is a day attack. The effectiveness of a submarine attack depends on the weapons being used, the submarine captain's naval skills and the skill level of the crew. Unlike surface ships, most allied submarine crews start the war well trained for night attacks.

Escorts may spot a submarine before it makes an attack or afterwards (or not at all) and will fire at a surfaced submarine, the periscope (seldom works) or may make a depth charge attack. The escort's weapons, captain's naval skill and escort's crew skill determine the effectiveness of the anti-submarine attack. A submarine's durability is a function of its maximum diving depth, and this will greatly impact the effectiveness of any anti-sub attack as well.

When in coastal waters, submarines may not be able to take full advantage of their maximum depth. Depth charges can be brutal and end a submarine's career very quickly. This makes attacking a surface or carrier task force with many escorts far more dangerous than attacking a small, unescorted cargo task force.

Ships with anti-submarine weapons, such as destroyers or patrol boats, are always searching for submarines, but the submarine's skipper usually determines if an encounter occurs. Please note that submarines may also be used for transporting supplies, fuel, troops or mines.

Regards,

- Erik

[Ron Saueracker]

Sounds great Eric, thanks.