Search Arc Question

[mark24]

If I set an arc from say, 10-170 degrees, does it search the smaller "slice", or the larger? What about if I set 0-180, does it search the east or the west?

Mark

[Rugens]

Along the lines of mark24's question, if the search arc is left blank (0,0) does it search 360 degrees?

[wild_Willie2]

0-180 means east and south.

0-0 means 360 degrees

270-360 means west

90-270 means east and west

[Oliver Heindorf]

ORIGINAL: wild_Willie2

0-180 means east and south.

0-0 means 360 degrees

270-360 means west

90-270 means east and west

huh ? sorry to steal the show but.....

0-180 ist the right half of a circle. So from N to S clockwise.

270-360 means from W to N clockwise.

90-270 means from E to W again clockwise.

been explained already.....try to search the forum , I looked for "clockwise"

tm.asp?m=2179466&mpage=1&key=clockwise&#2179598 [:)]

[Chickenboy]

My understanding is the slice set by you is the one searched. In your "0 to 180" example, a search arc to the East would be scanned.

I've been setting my "scan everywhere" settings for "10 to 0", assuming that all but a thin slice of the arc (the remaining 350 degrees) gets scanned, but that's just an assumption on my part. Although section 7.1 of the manual (p. 151 of the .pdf) alludes to this, it does not conclusively state this.

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

My understanding is the slice set by you is the one searched. In your "0 to 180" example, a search arc to the East would be scanned.

I've been setting my "scan everywhere" settings for "10 to 0", assuming that all but a thin slice of the arc (the remaining 350 degrees) gets scanned, but that's just an assumption on my part. Although section 7.1 of the manual (p. 151 of the .pdf) alludes to this, it does not conclusively state this.

You are correct in that.

Setting goes always clockwise. If you set search from 45 (well, you cannot, but 40 is close enough) to 180, your planes will fly search within arc from NE to S.

If you set search 180 to 45 (again 45 is something that you cannot set, but easier to describe), search arc is from S to NE. Clockwise.

And to those who might not know what "clockwise" is, watch the arms in your clock and way they rotate. Oh, some might have bought digital display. Well, then you are screwed! [8D]

[Raverdave]

And a compass rose is the top right hand corner of the map.[8D]

[Montbrun]

ORIGINAL: Raverdave

And a compass rose is the top right hand corner of the map.[8D]

True, but the cardinal directions should probably be removed - because of the projection, North is only North on one hex column on the map.

[CaptDave]

ORIGINAL: Brad Hunter

ORIGINAL: Raverdave

And a compass rose is the top right hand corner of the map.[8D]

True, but the cardinal directions should probably be removed - because of the projection, North is only North on one hex column on the map.

But, as has been stated more times than I can count, North, or 0 degrees, always refers to the top of the map. Actual geographic direction is never used.

[treespider]

If you set your search arc 0 to 0 you search all 360 degrees but with PENALTIES.

If you set your search arc smaller than 360 degrees then each individual plane will only search a 10 degree arc in each phase - morning and afternoon.

So If I have 6 planes searching... and i want to search 0 to 180.... I can't....as I can't cover everything unless I set the unit to search 360.

However IF I do set the unit to search the arc 0 to 180 this is what happens:

In the morning -

Plane 1 searches 0-10
Plane 2 searches 10-20
etc etc
Plane 6 searchs 50-60.

Then in the afternoon -

Plane 1 searches 60-70
Plane 2 searches 70-80
etc etc
Plane 6 searches 110-120


So with six planes from a unit searching I can search 120 degrees in a given day but only 60 degrees in each phase....or I can have the planes search 360 degrees with penalties.


EDIT : IF you have more planes than arcs - each arc is given one plane, then the first arc is given two, and the second two etc...until all of the planes have been assigned.

EDIT EDIT : This only applies to searches of greater than 4 hexes.

[Charbroiled]

ORIGINAL: treespider

If you set your search arc 0 to 0 you search all 360 degrees but with PENALTIES.

If you set your search arc smaller than 360 degrees then each individual plane will only search a 10 degree arc in each phase - morning and afternoon.

So If I have 6 planes searching... and i want to search 0 to 180.... I can't....as I can't cover everything unless I set the unit to search 360.

However IF I do set the unit to search the arc 0 to 180 this is what happens:

In the morning -

Plane 1 searches 0-10
Plane 2 searches 10-20
etc etc
Plane 6 searchs 50-60.

Then in the afternoon -

Plane 1 searches 60-70
Plane 2 searches 70-80
etc etc
Plane 6 searches 110-120


So with six planes from a unit searching I can search 120 degrees in a given day but only 60 degrees in each phase....or I can have the planes search 360 degrees with penalties.


EDIT : IF you have more planes than arcs - each arc is given one plane, then the first arc is given two, and the second two etc...until all of the planes have been assigned.

EDIT EDIT : This only applies to searches of greater than 4 hexes.

Wow, this is good stuff. I think someone need to start a "Must read thread" and put stuff like this in it.

[wdolson]

Just another tidbit of information.  The search arc is always from the first number to the second number.  270-90 would search from pointing straight left to straight right.  The first search plane would be sent out at 270, the second at 280, etc.

Bill

[Tazo]

ORIGINAL: treespider

If you set your search arc 0 to 0 you search all 360 degrees but with PENALTIES.

If you set your search arc smaller than 360 degrees then each individual plane will only search a 10 degree arc in each phase - morning and afternoon.

So If I have 6 planes searching... and i want to search 0 to 180.... I can't....as I can't cover everything unless I set the unit to search 360.

However IF I do set the unit to search the arc 0 to 180 this is what happens:

In the morning -

Plane 1 searches 0-10
Plane 2 searches 10-20
etc etc
Plane 6 searchs 50-60.

Then in the afternoon -

Plane 1 searches 60-70
Plane 2 searches 70-80
etc etc
Plane 6 searches 110-120


So with six planes from a unit searching I can search 120 degrees in a given day but only 60 degrees in each phase....or I can have the planes search 360 degrees with penalties.


EDIT : IF you have more planes than arcs - each arc is given one plane, then the first arc is given two, and the second two etc...until all of the planes have been assigned.

EDIT EDIT : This only applies to searches of greater than 4 hexes.

So when I give the same arc to two catalina groups in the same base I'm doing a stupid search !
They cover the same sub-arc simultaneously... I gain a double check but in one direction at a time,
not two checks in two different directions. The best seems to cut in two half-arc and allocate one
to each group in order to increase the chances of spotting something more quickly.
Right ?

[ChezDaJez]

So when I give the same arc to two catalina groups in the same base I'm doing a stupid search !
They cover the same sub-arc simultaneously... I gain a double check but in one direction at a time,
not two checks in two different directions. The best seems to cut in two half-arc and allocate one
to each group in order to increase the chances of spotting something more quickly.
Right ?

Depends on how you set it up. Let's say you want to search from 180 - 360 degrees (to the west). If both Catalina groups have 9 aircraft, then you would want to assign one group to search 180-260 degrees and the second to search 270-360 degrees. In this way, EACH ARC IS SEARCHED EACH PHASE. So you get your double search bonus plus your bombers would be able to launch an attack in the PM phase if in range.

If you set both groups to search 180-360 degrees, then both groups will search the 180-260 degree sector in the AM phase and the 270-360 sector in the PM phase. The down side is that you would only be able to launch PM attacks against those TFs spotted in the AM phase. The TFs spotted in the PM phase will be safe.

Chez

[treespider]

ORIGINAL: ChezDaJez

So when I give the same arc to two catalina groups in the same base I'm doing a stupid search !
They cover the same sub-arc simultaneously... I gain a double check but in one direction at a time,
not two checks in two different directions. The best seems to cut in two half-arc and allocate one
to each group in order to increase the chances of spotting something more quickly.
Right ?

Depends on how you set it up. Let's say you want to search from 180 - 360 degrees (to the west). If both Catalina groups have 9 aircraft, then you would want to assign one group to search 180-260 degrees and the second to search 270-360 degrees. In this way, EACH ARC IS SEARCHED EACH PHASE. So you get your double search bonus plus your bombers would be able to launch an attack in the PM phase if in range.

If you set both groups to search 180-360 degrees, then both groups will search the 180-260 degree sector in the AM phase and the 270-360 sector in the PM phase. The down side is that you would only be able to launch PM attacks against those TFs spotted in the AM phase. The TFs spotted in the PM phase will be safe.

Chez

Slight edit ...should be 180-270 not 260....else your skipping 260-270

[ChezDaJez]

Oops, you're right. So I can't count!!!

Chez

[Tazo]

Thanks guys, it is clear now.

I agree that this kind of post could provide some very useful FAQ for a close future.

Just to avoid too many people ask the same questions everyday. A look at the updated
FAQ before launching a new thread would decrease the noise level of this incredibly
overactive forum - but passioning and immersive by itself !

Hope AE will won three special 2009 awards - first the game, second the AI, third the forum activity.

[Rugens]

Thanks very much for taking the time.  Very much appreciate the information.

[Fr33andcl34r]

How are search arcs affected in a night search? Still get the AM/PM arcs, but isn't night search only one phase?

[rustysi]

but isn't night search only one phase?

Yes, and you'll need a separate unit to conduct night search. Not all units may do so.