Computer Controlled Subs

[Gyrene]

First off, WITP is definately a masterpiece! Hats off to Matrix/2by3 and all you testers!

I'm playing the full campaign with Auto Sub Ops off, and all theaters are on Human Control. [:D] Normally (as I did in UV), I'll create a sub TF, assign it a destination, then place it on Computer Control for a while. I always go manual when trying to cover certain choke points. Now, after placing my sub TF's on Computer Control, they go to their final destination, but then they just sit there and dont seem to move around to different shipping lanes etc... as the AI would seem fit. As long as the subs are on Computer Control, they are supposed to eventually patrol around on their own, but this isn't happening.

The Computer Control sub TF's only seem to willingly roam if I turn Auto Sub Ops On too! Either I'm missing something, or this is a bug. With this feature on, as we're well aware, the AI will also anoyingly keep sending out all subs! I always hated using this feature in UV and will continue to keep it off regardless.

Has anyone else noticed this problem?

[Deathifier]

I turned sub control completely over to the AI since I have no particular interest in managing the dozens of single sub TF's.

With it on and playing scen 15 (and taking the usual pounding as allies) I found the AI has spread out the subs in Manila nearby and has sent the ones on the west cost towards the central pacific.

They seem to do as you say - move to one spot and sit there, however in the process at least a few have bagged a transport passing through and one got sunk (Triton) by an angry bunch of PC/PG's!

So from what I can tell the AI knows the lanes enemy ships will travel to go from A to B and is content to sit and wait, not run around like a headless chook as I saw it do in UV (sub is slower than the TF it wants to sink, but it would chase the TF anyway).

Try moving a sub to a spot far off traffic lanes and turning it to computer control, see if it heads somewhere more useful.

- Deathifier

[Gyrene]

Can someone else please test this too, thanks. I wont be able to experiment until I get home about 5hrs from now. I wish I planned some vacation days for this week!

[Ron Saueracker]

I've always wanted more depth to sub ops as I'm a bit of a sub buff. At one time I suggested a few things which would have been quite useful for the player to reduce the workload but still allow control if set to "Manual" but would also have aided the computer AI if set to "Auto".

Basically it involved segmenting the map into patrol zones, either fixed or manually delineated by player. I think fixed would be easier for programmers. Create a new management menu for bases...a "subs based at port" menu. This menu allows players to assign subs to that port and to select the patrol zone or zones he wishes that bases subs to operate. Provide HQs for submarine bases as was historically the case to allow leaders to affect squadron performance.

[von Murrin]

Gyrene (nice to see you here, BTW),

Try setting auto sub ops and giving a DH to subs going out on patrol. Works well for me.

I can even rebase my subs and the AI will not override my decision if the base is large enough.[:)]

[Gyrene]

Yep, with Auto Sub Ops on it does work. The problem is, setting a sub TF to Computer Control should also work with Auto Sub Ops turned off too! This is the way it worked in UV, and should in WITP too. This must be a bug and I hope it gets fixed.

[Gyrene]

Can someone at Matrix PLEASE ckeck into this? I switch my subs from Manual to Computer Control often, but I dont desire to keep Auto Subs Ops on because I prefer to control how many subs I send out of port at times. This used to work fine in UV, and I hope this wasn't delibertly changed in WITP. Having to keep Auto Sub Ops on has become quite annoying.

[Mike Wood]

Hello...

It is on the list. Will look at as soon as can.

Bye...

Michael Wood

ORIGINAL: Gyrene

Can someone at Matrix PLEASE ckeck into this? I switch my subs from Manual to Computer Control often, but I dont desire to keep Auto Subs Ops on because I prefer to control how many subs I send out of port at times. This used to work fine in UV, and I hope this wasn't delibertly changed in WITP. Having to keep Auto Sub Ops on has become quite annoying.

[Francis Drake]

@ Ron Saueracker

Thats a super idea!!! (Submarine HQ and Patrol Zones)
I want this in my witp! (I´m an old Silent Service and Silent Hunter player)

[Gyrene]

Thanks Much Mike. I appreciate your dedication!