Setting detailed search arcs less effective than full search arcs?

[Tanaka]

See 55:10 mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weqDiba ... g&index=15

I've noticed the same thing in my games running turns when setting search arcs. If I set them I do not detect fleets if I put them back to 0 I detect fleets. So I don't set them anymore...

[geofflambert]

That's what most of us do most of the time. There are exceptions. For instance, you might use them to keep your search planes out of heavily defended airspace. I often use search arcs for ASW when I know where the subs are going to be.

[geofflambert]

You may also notice that when you don't set arcs the juicier targets draw more hits. They're like magnets for your search planes. This is often unfortunate if the target is a carrier group because you may lose half your squadron being shot down.

[Tanaka]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

You may also notice that when you don't set arcs the juicier targets draw more hits. They're like magnets for your search planes. This is often unfortunate if the target is a carrier group because you may lose half your squadron being shot down.

Yes I have noticed this! When I decided to start setting search arcs to be more meticulous and get more detection and hits I noticed nothing was being detected or hit! Which is the opposite of what I thought setting search arcs did? Increase detection and hits! NOPE! So broken?

[geofflambert]

It's not broken. Your squadron commander is doing his job. He optimizes your chances of having the searchplanes in the right spot at the right time. If we're talking carrier battle you better not be trying to get cute if you want to catch the enemy first thing in the morning. If you have plenty of floatplanes you might try have some search at night to improve your odds. If you are going to use arcs, consider shortening the range of the search planes to get maximum coverage.

[geofflambert]

Another thing. A recon squadron may get you a lot more info if you leave targeting to the commander's discretion.

[Tanaka]

Interesting thanks sounds like leaders are more important than micro selections. At least that reduces micromanagement!

[Sardaukar]

Also, don't search further than 12 hexes.

Ranges higher than that dilute the search intensity to all search area. E.g. some planes have extended range of 24 hexes and so. Yes, you will search that far, but poorly, for whole area (which makes sense considering how much area increases).

[Evoken]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

Also, don't search further than 12 hexes.

Ranges higher than that dilute the search intensity to all search area. E.g. some planes have extended range of 24 hexes and so. Yes, you will search that far, but poorly, for whole area (which makes sense considering how much area increases).

Max range no arc searches saved my ass so many times in pbem , yeah you wont get high detection level on enemy task force but knowing its there can prevent disasters.

[Moltrey]

In another thread the guys mentioned that Arcs work fine for detecting ships under Naval Search missions, however, not Subs. ASW missions work fine Arcs or no for surface and subsurface units.
My solution is to have a smaller # of Naval Search squadrons on no arc with a smaller range setting around my "sub-magnet" bases like Pearl Harbor, etc. Seems to work good so far.

[RangerJoe]

For a port like Sydney, then use the search arcs. A couple of Whirlaway squadrons on ASW and 1k feet with 50% ASW and 50% training works fine. When the pilots get trained better, then give them some time with the nurses - I mean rest.[;)]

The Hudsons are on Naval Search at 6k feet.

[geofflambert]

In a situation like this arcs may make sense. If you see subs hanging around in that area and you might, since the strait is mined and it takes a lot more fuel to go around and get a sub into the Sea of Japan, if you keep the arcs tight you may see every plane in your squadron attack the same sub on a given day. Plus it makes sense if you're co-ordinating with surface ASW units.

[Tanaka]

Interesting thanks for the tips gents. I remember I used to get great results and sub hits from search on 100 feet but I don't see many doing it is that no longer the case?

[RangerJoe]

Maybe great hits but they won't see as much. But if you have 9 Whirlaways from each of the 2 squadrons over a three hex range from Sydney, you do get pretty good coverage and a decent amount of reported hits. I have had some shot at by AA fire from the sub so I know they caught that one on the surface. A Whirlaway was not shot down but it probably was the OP loss that turn.[:(]

[Sardaukar]

Generally Search is best at altitude 6000 ft and ASW 1000 ft.

[Tanaka]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Maybe great hits but they won't see as much. But if you have 9 Whirlaways from each of the 2 squadrons over a three hex range from Sydney, you do get pretty good coverage and a decent amount of reported hits. I have had some shot at by AA fire from the sub so I know they caught that one on the surface. A Whirlaway was not shot down but it probably was the OP loss that turn.[:(]

Ok so it seems for hitting more subs 100 feet is better but for seeing subs and fleets 6000 is better?

[rustysi]

This topic comes up over and over again, ad nauseam. My experience shows me this is just not so. If used properly they work just fine.

[Tanaka]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

This topic comes up over and over again, ad nauseam. My experience shows me this is just not so. If used properly they work just fine.

My experience and many others show differently. Thus the video on the first post. I've run tests on spotting Force Z many times and setting to 0 they are spotted. Setting search arcs they are not. Guy in the video says the same thing see 55:10 mark...

[Maallon]

I also use search arcs a lot and never had problems with them. Also the guy in the video just says that they didn't work for him but he didn't mentioned his setup so it is hard to tell what exactly he was doing. Or maybe I missed it, the sound of the video is not all that good tbh, I can barely hear the guy.

Rustysi is right that this is a topic that was discussed often and extensively in the past and the community is more or less split between the two options.
This here is a good summary of the topic:
fb.asp?m=4492358

edit: the whole thread is worth reading.
And if you type:
site:matrixgames.com/forums +"War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition" nav search arcs
in google you will get a ton of threads who also discuss the topic.

[Tanaka]

ORIGINAL: Maallon

I also use search arcs a lot and never had problems with them. Also the guy in the video just says that they didn't work for him but he didn't mentioned his setup so it is hard to tell what exactly he was doing. Or maybe I missed it, the sound of the video is not all that good tbh, I can barely hear the guy.

Rustysi is right that this is a topic that was discussed often and extensively in the past and the community is more or less split between the two options.
This here is a good summary of the topic:
fb.asp?m=4492358

edit: the whole thread is worth reading.
And if you type:
site:matrixgames.com/forums +"War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition" nav search arcs
in google you will get a ton of threads who also discuss the topic.

Thanks for the link. I just meant the guy in the video discovered it the same way I did. Running tests on discovering Force Z. 0 yes search arcs no.