Are Biologics (fish) usually given a mission?

[DWReese]

I'm not even sure if this is possible, but can Biologics (fish) be given a mission?

The reason that I am asking is that I'm teleporting them into an area of a scenario, but I'm not sure if they have to be pre-programmed to move because they are fish; or they move on their own because they are programmed to do so; or, do they just sit there and do nothing? I seem to remember that they do move, a;beit ever so slowly, but perhaps it's because someone has programmed, or the designers have given them a "mission."

Does anyone who has "gone fishing" with scenarios know what's the best method to have fish move in a scenario?

Doug

[Primarchx]

I usually put them on an ASW mission.

[DWReese]

Primarchx,

So, I assume that if they aren't actually on a mission then they just hangout at the same depth and zero speed. So, by putting them on a mission they will move around a little bit, changing depth, etc.?

Doug

[Primarchx]

As I recall, yes. Been a while, though.

[Whicker]

they should also be on a side that is blind.

Far as I know they are like subs, though I have seen them seemingly change depth once in a while, never figured out if that was on purpose or not. I usually put them on a mission with a randomly assigned speed (1-4) and depth.

[DWReese]

Thanks for the advice on speed.

Doug

[HalfLifeExpert]

While I've done little scenario design, I would think that the only useful mission to give them would be a simple patrol mission so that they can move about somewhat randomly

[benefant]

i set the biologics allwais
into a mine laying mission
then they drive around


ASW - or AAW -> then they "search" for Subs and drive to intercept them (theoretically if the detect somewhat).

[DWReese]

Thanks for the mine-laying tip. I never would have thought of that.

Doug

[SeaQueen]

I'm not against it. In a scenario involving lots of ASW, there needs to be a lot of false contacts of some kind.

My problem is that in the database, most false contacts are easily identified as (biologics or otherwise) false contacts by observing how they move. The result is that an experienced player doesn't drop many torpedoes on false contacts. There needs to be some kind of false contact unit which is truly indistinguishable from a submarine without being subject to classification.

[Panther Bait]

I am not sure if the biologics are placed in a scenario typically as a torpedo sink. Mostly I think they are intended to be simple distractions, although I think they can be used as temporary concealment to hide behind.

Mike

[Whicker]

for the mission type if they are blind they never find anything so the mine laying part doesn't matter - sea control should work fine as well as patrols.

[SeaQueen]

False contacts (biological in origin or otherwise) have many effects. The primary one is to complicate the risk management decisions of the ASW commander. Suppose one decides to accept minimal risk assuming all submarines are fair game. Then you drop/shoot torpedoes at everything. You'll get a lot of false contacts, but the only submarines you won't get are the ones you don't see. The down side is that you waste a lot of torpedoes. The other extreme is to drop/shoot torpedoes at no contacts that haven't been identified as hostile submarines. This means that you shoot fewer torpedoes and run out less quickly, but you also take more risk because while you're attempting to identify the submarine you're more likely to allow him to attack you first.

[BeirutDude]

I usually give them an ASW or Sea Control Mission (whales and Dolphins blow holes [:D] ).

[BeirutDude]

And the biologics need to add ambient noise into the water column to bring the ASW Probability Of Detection down. Also wave action needs to so so as well when all of those churned up bubbles collapse! The higher the sea state the harder ASW should be.

[BeirutDude]

Agree with Doug, never thought of it. That said at 2 to 4 knots biologics aren't running down many nuke boats!

[DWReese]

The thing that I like about fish movement is that subs usually move, where fish don't usually move (so much) in the game.

A stationary target is more likely to be fish, as opposed to a "target" moving a couple of knots at a time. The movement adds a little more realism. Seeing a non-moving target at -131 feet, or -66 feet, kind of "smells fishy", if you know what I mean.

Doug

[BeirutDude]

Agreed I like my fish moving so will continue ASW missions.

I really wish having a lot of fish/biologics nearby decreased the POD on the sub (and waves) then they become much more useful and realistic.

[Tailhook]

If you set the side to blind though, won't that keep them from trying to chase down contacts?

[Whicker]

correct - fish don't pursue do they? you just want them running around randomly. then it doesn't matter what mission type they are on, the mission just keeps the moving.