Pearl Harbor and AI

[Erik Rutins]

As far as I know, they have the historical torpedo supply. If they stick around for more than 2-3 days, they should be pretty much out of torpedos and more vulnerable to a counter strike.

[TAIL GUNNER]

I was going on what Splinterhead said...the Japs only had around 40 of the special torpedos that run in shallow water.

If you were able to edit the number of torps on a carrier, you could put your 40 on whatever carriers had them and perhaps get more realistic results.

But fixing that problem makes a new problem....now KB has no torps left for targets of opportunity on the way home...

Now I suddenly remember why I quit my programming major in college...[:'(]

[Erik Rutins]

As far as I know from what I was told by one of the people on the team:

"The data I've seen says there were over 100 "special" torpedos aboard KB as 100 were delivered to Kaga just prior to her sailing - also there were a few aboard prior to that that were part of the preliminary testing. So the 40 that were used historically did not represent the full load of such weapons. So people seem to think the 40 that were used - was the full load out - the data definitely indicates this perception is wrong."

Regards,

- Erik

[Brady]

Interestingly, these special torpedos were also available and used by the Nettys that atacked PoW and Repulse, initialy the Japaense inteneded to atack them in Port at Singapore, in the end they were used on them at sea.

[Splinterhead]

That's interesting. Everything I've ever read on the subject indicated there were only 40-48 available for the task force, and I've always assumed the Kaga's late sailing was indicative that they were just barely able to complete the minimum number required in time. I'd love to know where that data came from.

[ChickenOfTheSea]

Here's a report from the other side. I decided to play a training game of scenario 1 as Japan since I expect to be Japan in my first PBEM. I went with historic first turn. The KB sent 0 (that's right, zero) Kate's into Pearl Harbor. Battleships on fire from Val's but no major damage. In addition, Force Z went undetected. Thus I am entering turn 2, and the Allies have all capital ships intact. It is going to be interesting to see what the AI does with them.

It appears to me like that are an extraordinary number of outcomes for day 1. I could complain about my first turn not being historical, but I like the challenge and I'm going to have fun with it.

AI also unexpectedly sent B17's to bomb the 104th Div. in Canton. An unpredictable AI makes for a more fun game.

[Bluebook]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

I honestly just dont get it maybe its me but I dont we tried to make the AI play the game as hard as we could to make it interesting.

If thats not your cup of tea there is a scenario that starts 8th Dec which has a 100% historic approach or you can play the stock Ai which will faithfully recreate history and fall over in mid 42 at Rabaul when a player a historically reinforces

I guess it boils down to what do you want

1. Faithfull recreation of history where the Ai loses badly because you know its every move UNLESS you also follow history 100%
2. An AI that will try to do unpredictable things but while following the shape of history will try to do things I would do if I were playing PBEM against you.

If the majority honestly want 1. then I am not sure I haved provided what you want.

Andy

You have done a marvellous job on the AI. For the first time ever I am enjoying a game against the AI. You have made the right desicion to model the AI after how you would play in a PBEM. Dont listen to the nay-sayers, there will always be guys like that around. If they cant whine about the AI they would be whining about something else.

Thank you for a truly great gaming experience.

[Graymane]

Great job on the AI Andy Mac. Please don't consider changing anything for at least a few months. We have nothing but anecdotal evidence so far. We also have the option of HISTORICAL 1st turn and December 8th as well as house rules for PBEM. This is a very minor, non-critical issue with numerous work-a-rounds.

[NightFlyer]

I started to run out of torpedoes on day 2 of the PH attack (scenario 2), that and with rising fatigue and increasing A2A and flak losses made staying for more than 2 or 3 days counterproductive esp. with Malaya and the Philippines waiting. I think this debate may be a little overblown and may be more related to a visceral reaction to an evil AI [X(]. Why not read a good book or watch a documentary if you want to review history exactly as it happened. BTW, I’m surprised no one mentioned the SSX midget subs and how unlikely they were to get hits, but some historians say a minisub did attack a BB at PH. The image below from US naval archives shows what some claim is a minisub, (green arrow) firing at what I think is the West Virginia (two torpedoes wakes marked with red arrow) the splashes behind the minisub are the propellers breaking the surface as the small craft bobs while launching. Just goes to show you how the improbable may sometimes occur. I must admit it’s still hard to look at the real pictures of PH though.

[Graymane]

Very interesting picture. I learn a lot reading these forums

[scott64]

A similar picture was used in the History program Unsolved History a few years back.