Patrol Arc - Please explain

[LarryP]

I know this question was posted before but I can't find it. And I'm at a point where I need to know now as I'm in a heated game with myself. [;)]

The Patrol Arc way points, I assume a 360 degree circle is the pattern. Now I need to click twice for the start and finish points. Does the search arc between these two points rotate in a clockwise direction? If so then how far out does that arc expand, the amount I have set for the Maximum Range?

That's two questions actually... [X(]

[Zebedee]

Yes it is clockwise. And the length of the arc is set by the range limit you set on your air unit.

[LarryP]

Got it. Thanks!

[Hanzberger]

I would like to know more about the mechanics of this. So if you fly max range you can still arc up to 360? (or 310 or whatever) I get that but I would think if your flying max range then your arc should be limited. no? And on the flip side of that, if you decrease your arc you should have better patrols. Yes?[&:]

[jazman]

I'm going by memory from other threads here:

I believe that if you don't set an arc, the search is over 360, but it's much less effective, especially the further from base you get. If you set an arc, plane 1 searches out on the first 10 degrees, plane 2 searches the second 10 degrees, etc. So if you have one plane on search, you'll only cover the first 10 degrees!

WitP-staff is nice to see the search coverage you have in the whole game.

[medicff]

ORIGINAL: Hanzberger

I would like to know more about the mechanics of this. So if you fly max range you can still arc up to 360? (or 310 or whatever) I get that but I would think if your flying max range then your arc should be limited. no? And on the flip side of that, if you decrease your arc you should have better patrols. Yes?[&:]

Yes you have a certain amount of planes. The less range you make them fly AND the less arc they fly then the better chance of their search finding something. For example fly 4 catalinas 20 hexes X 40nm/hex = 800 nm in an entire circle = not much chance of finding anything even if it is there.

[Zebedee]

The more square miles per plane to cover, the less efficient the search I think is the general rule of thumb. So one plane trying to search a vast area will be less effective at spotting things than 30 planes covering the same area. Limiting the range and narrowing the arc are just ways to reduce the amount of area to cover to make your searching more effective within the parameters you set. The downside is that if you make a mistake (or deliberate choice which does not cover potential possibilities) then you may not spot at all the enemy units who are coming from your 'blind side'.

[Chris21wen]

Arcs are on the map top Left along with the terrain.

[USS Henrico]

If you don't set up an arc on a coast, will the search planes go inland or are the search mechanisms smart enough to avoid that? That is, will planes from the West Coast perform ASW searches in the Rockies or do naval searches in the Australian Outback?

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: USS Henrico

If you don't set up an arc on a coast, will the search planes go inland or are the search mechanisms smart enough to avoid that? That is, will planes from the West Coast perform ASW searches in the Rockies or do naval searches in the Australian Outback?

Based on the search arc graphics from WITP Staff I would say the land area will be searched. Hey, but it is not a complete waste, you can cite a couple of speeders and add to your resources. Plus, you might find some Nisei trying to sneak out of their concentration camp.

[Yamato hugger]

From what little was said on the devs forum on it, each plane searches a 10 degree arc, so if you have 4 planes in a squadron, you want to limit your search to 40 degrees. From experience I can say that leaving it at a 360 is near useless. As supreme commander of which ever side you play, you get the honor of dictating the search arcs for each of your squadrons. Bet Yamamoto loved doing that every day. Wonder if he did it before or after breakfast?

[stuman]

ORIGINAL: Yamato hugger

From what little was said on the devs forum on it, each plane searches a 10 degree arc, so if you have 4 planes in a squadron, you want to limit your search to 40 degrees. From experience I can say that leaving it at a 360 is near useless. As supreme commander of which ever side you play, you get the honor of dictating the search arcs for each of your squadrons. Bet Yamamoto loved doing that every day. Wonder if he did it before or after breakfast?

I am pretty sure he did it after supper each night.

[jazman]

ORIGINAL: stuman

ORIGINAL: Yamato hugger

From what little was said on the devs forum on it, each plane searches a 10 degree arc, so if you have 4 planes in a squadron, you want to limit your search to 40 degrees. From experience I can say that leaving it at a 360 is near useless. As supreme commander of which ever side you play, you get the honor of dictating the search arcs for each of your squadrons. Bet Yamamoto loved doing that every day. Wonder if he did it before or after breakfast?

I am pretty sure he did it after supper each night.

From Toland's The Rising Sun, pg 238, the Emperor himself would occasionally chip in and help.

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: jazman
From Toland's The Rising Sun, pg 238, the Emperor himself would occasionally chip in and help.

That's a book I have... cool. [:)]

[jazman]

I was making it up about the Emperor.

[Zebedee]

ORIGINAL: jazman

I was making it up about the Emperor.

Aye, Toland makes it quite clear that Yamamoto had to do the dishes after supper, take the garbage out and then read stories to the kids. By the time he'd done that, Mrs. Yamamoto would start asking just when he'd stop faffing about and come to bed. The Emperor only came round once a month to collect the rent.

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: jazman

I was making it up about the Emperor.

Well, I still have the book. [;)]

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: LarryP

I know this question was posted before but I can't find it. And I'm at a point where I need to know now as I'm in a heated game with myself. [;)]

The Patrol Arc way points, I assume a 360 degree circle is the pattern. Now I need to click twice for the start and finish points. Does the search arc between these two points rotate in a clockwise direction? If so then how far out does that arc expand, the amount I have set for the Maximum Range?

That's two questions actually... [X(]

The way I remember it is left-click for the left end of the arc, right-click for the right end.

[Sonny II]

The way I remember it is left-click for the left end of the arc, right-click for the right end.

Basically yes.

Left click for starting point - right click for ending point - going clockwise.

[Curty]

ORIGINAL: Zebedee

ORIGINAL: jazman

I was making it up about the Emperor.

Aye, Toland makes it quite clear that Yamamoto had to do the dishes after supper, take the garbage out and then read stories to the kids. By the time he'd done that, Mrs. Yamamoto would start asking just when he'd stop faffing about and come to bed. The Emperor only came round once a month to collect the rent.

It was NEVER the Emperors turn to do the dishes[:-][:D]