Message Log

[miller7219]

I'm a bit confused. The message log reports results of AAW interceptions (FPH=??, PH=??, DPH=??). I've always noticed that the DPH=the %hit in the database, but the FPH and PH both = 5% or 15% more than the DPH and in almost all cases(with an exception listed below) are always the same.

For example, if a SM2MR has a air PH in the database of 60% and it engages a sea-skimming, slow, very small Harpoon the window log display is (FPH=65, PH=65, DPH=60). Seems the SM1 gets a 5% benefit against that little sea-skimming Harpoon?

Another example, SM2MR vs. a Siren (non-sea-skimmer, slow, NOT a very small target) the output is (FPH=75, PH=75, DPH=60). Gets a 15% positive bump.

Playing from the old original GUIK database the outputs make sense....example, engaging a very fast shipwreck the output is (FPH=30, PH=30, DPH=60). Seems the programs cuts FPH in 1/2 for fast movers. I can't get this to happen in EC2000 (or at least display in the message log).

One strange thing I've seen in both EC2000 and old battlesets is sometimes the FPH is way off like (FPH=83, PH=65, DPH=60) agains the SM2 vs. Harpoon example...only happens occassionally, but I've seen it several times in all the testing I've done.

I wondered if the window log was just inaccurate and what it displayed wasn't really the FPH used to calc hit or miss, but I did the following: edited a SM2 to air PH of 85. Ran several test firings against a Harpoon and the window output was (FPH=100, PH=100, DPH=60) and EVERY missile hit with at least 25 fired. So, would seem the FPH is accurate...it says 100% and it resulted in 100% hits.

Anyone else run tests on this? Can someone else set up some tests and see if they can confirm what I'm seeing here? I'm wondering if there is something screwy with the weapon resolution calcs with EC2000 vs. original battlesets.

[TonyE]

There isn't anything screwy, you are just seeing the effect of an intentional code change to get the game results closer to the paper rules results.
 
if (BattleSetNumber >= FIRST_COMMONDB_BATTLESET)
ProbHit += 15; // 09/20/2003 kludge to improve SAM hits because H4 data correlate so badly to
// hcgold engagement rules. +15% is a balance achieved through testing and is
// a decent choice only because of the limited differentiation between missiles
// according to the DB and GE capabilities. This boost is not reflected in GE
// displays to the player. This kludge is also in CheckSAMHit
 

[miller7219]

OK, a flat +15% to DPH. Are there any negative modifiers (like engagements vs fast targets). I'm assuming that in the SM2 vs. Harpoon situation the calc is DPH(60%) + Kludge(15%) - 10% for very small target? What other modifiers are their to missile engagements?

[TonyE]

Other modifiers are fast missile, fast target, crossing target, mis-matched altitude (tends not to happen), countermeasures (chaff/flare/ECM).  Maybe a couple more that escape me, outside of the +15 I think they are still amazingly similar to the H3 paper rules.