Matrix Games Forums

Will sub that is in a patrol zone leave the patrol when it is low on fuel? And if it does, once it refuels will it return to that patrol zone? I am referring to human operated sub patrols.

I believe that the answer to both of these questions is yes. (I'm out on a limb here, but I am fairly sure at least the first answer is yes)

If you set up the patrol then yes, they'll return to base to replenish. They will disband if they have damage to get it fixed....GP

If you set the control to "computer control" on the task force after you designate the patrol zone it will return to port when replenishment is needed and then return to the previously set patrol area. If you leave the TF on "human control" (I believe...) it will patrol until you go and tell it to return to port or it runs out of fuel. I seldom use human control at this point so memory is foggy...

This is not to be confused with "computer controlled sub operations" set for all subs via the "game options", which few people use.

A danger here is your subs can accumulate fairly significant damage and high detection rates when left on "computer control", check in on them periodically, watch the combat reports, and pay close attention to those in high engagement areas. Failure to do so will likely raise your boats casualty rates.


Kevin

ORIGINAL: kbfchicago

If you set the control to "computer control" on the task force after you designate the patrol zone it will return to port when replenishment is needed and then return to the previously set patrol area. If you leave the TF on "human control" (I believe...) it will patrol until you go and tell it to return to port or it runs out of fuel. I seldom use human control at this point so memory is foggy...

This is not to be confused with "computer controlled sub operations" set for all subs via the "game options", which few people use.

A danger here is your subs can accumulate fairly significant damage and high detection rates when left on "computer control", check in on them periodically, watch the combat reports, and pay close attention to those in high engagement areas. Failure to do so will likely raise your boats casualty rates.


Kevin

Under "Human Control" and on Patrol, the sub will still automatically RTB to replenish fuel or torpedoes or both.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: kbfchicago

If you set the control to "computer control" on the task force after you designate the patrol zone it will return to port when replenishment is needed and then return to the previously set patrol area. If you leave the TF on "human control" (I believe...) it will patrol until you go and tell it to return to port or it runs out of fuel. I seldom use human control at this point so memory is foggy...

This is not to be confused with "computer controlled sub operations" set for all subs via the "game options", which few people use.

A danger here is your subs can accumulate fairly significant damage and high detection rates when left on "computer control", check in on them periodically, watch the combat reports, and pay close attention to those in high engagement areas. Failure to do so will likely raise your boats casualty rates.


Kevin

Under "Human Control" and on Patrol, the sub will still automatically RTB to replenish fuel or torpedoes or both.

Never use computer controlled sub patrols....GP

Thanks for insight. I assume then once refueled and rearmed they will return to previously set patrol area.

Human control always. The sub TF will try to return to port to replenish in a timely fashion, but sometimes waits too long, and subs cannot replenish at sea so if you don't have a friendly port that is closer, you may have a sub that is adrift at sea with little you can do about it. I don't let the AI do anything I can do myself, you need to keep an eye on your subs out there.

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

Human control always. The sub TF will try to return to port to replenish in a timely fashion, but sometimes waits too long, and subs cannot replenish at sea so if you don't have a friendly port that is closer, you may have a sub that is adrift at sea with little you can do about it. I don't let the AI do anything I can do myself, you need to keep an eye on your subs out there.

I have run into this as well. Once in a while the AI miscalculates (or the sub encounters enemy ASW activity that causes it to burn more fuel) and it ends up without enough fuel to make it to base. Therefore about once a week or so I check my TF list for sub patrol TFs getting low on fuel and order ones I consider in possible danger to RTB.

Related question about patrol zones. Say I set hexes A, B, and C as the boundaries of the patrol zone. What exactly does the sub's patrol pattern look like (or really any patrolling ship)? Is it:

1. A --> B --> C --> A --> B --> C --> A, etc.

2. A --> B --> C --> B --> A --> B --> C, etc.

3. patrol within the area bounded by A, B, and C

My understanding is #1 but I'm not sure.

ORIGINAL: boldrobot

Related question about patrol zones. Say I set hexes A, B, and C as the boundaries of the patrol zone. What exactly does the sub's patrol pattern look like (or really any patrolling ship)? Is it:

1. A --> B --> C --> A --> B --> C --> A, etc.

2. A --> B --> C --> B --> A --> B --> C, etc.

3. patrol within the area bounded by A, B, and C

My understanding is #1 but I'm not sure.

Correct. It is #1.

Technically you are not setting a "Patrol Zone". Instead you are really setting waypoints, thus first go to hex A, then hex B, then hex C. However unlike the standard waypoint order which is not repetitive as the vessel is still travelling towards a different determined destination, when done via the set patrol zone menu where no determined destination is set, it becomes a repetitive loop.

The repetitive loop will only be interrupted temporarily when either damage reaches 10% in a single area or rearming/refuelling is required. At that point the vessel leaves its "patrol zone" to return to its home port to rearm/refuel and then automatically resumes its "patrol". If the RTB is due to damage the task force is automatically disbanded at its home port in order to undertake the necessary repairs.

The closest to a real patrol zone is when the order is given to patrol around the target hex. The result is still not a true patrol zone but rather a computer generated set of waypoints determined on the basis of the target hex and enemy dispositions.

Alfred

ORIGINAL: Alfred

ORIGINAL: boldrobot

Related question about patrol zones. Say I set hexes A, B, and C as the boundaries of the patrol zone. What exactly does the sub's patrol pattern look like (or really any patrolling ship)? Is it:

1. A --> B --> C --> A --> B --> C --> A, etc.

2. A --> B --> C --> B --> A --> B --> C, etc.

3. patrol within the area bounded by A, B, and C

My understanding is #1 but I'm not sure.

The closest to a real patrol zone is when the order is given to patrol around the target hex.

Alfred

Just be sure not to select a land hex as the "patrol around point", or you'll only get 2, not 3 locations. That includes islands and coastal hexes. F/E, if you told a sub at Pearl to "patrol around" Truk, the result would be hexes at Boundary1 and Boundary2, but not Boundary3.

I've also found that "patrol around" is the quickest way to set up a player-configured zone. Boundary1 will always be the first hex you click, and from there it's easy to either accept or edit the other 2 locations. The whole process is roughly 5X faster than setting the zone manually (by clicking each boundary point in turn)

ORIGINAL: Alfred

The closest to a real patrol zone is when the order is given to patrol around the target hex. The result is still not a true patrol zone but rather a computer generated set of waypoints determined on the basis of the target hex and enemy dispositions.

Alfred

Interesting...but does the patrol zones change frequently or never once selected?

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

Human control always. The sub TF will try to return to port to replenish in a timely fashion, but sometimes waits too long, and subs cannot replenish at sea so if you don't have a friendly port that is closer, you may have a sub that is adrift at sea with little you can do about it. I don't let the AI do anything I can do myself, you need to keep an eye on your subs out there.

Hmm. So milk cows*/sub tenders can't do anything if they meet out in the open ocean, contingent on the above variable?

*Are these in fact modeled for this game?

ORIGINAL: Elessar2

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

Human control always. The sub TF will try to return to port to replenish in a timely fashion, but sometimes waits too long, and subs cannot replenish at sea so if you don't have a friendly port that is closer, you may have a sub that is adrift at sea with little you can do about it. I don't let the AI do anything I can do myself, you need to keep an eye on your subs out there.

Hmm. So milk cows*/sub tenders can't do anything if they meet out in the open ocean, contingent on the above variable?

*Are these in fact modeled for this game?

Nope...No "milch cows" in WITP

Will sub that is in a patrol zone leave the patrol when it is low on fuel? And if it does, once it refuels will it return to that patrol zone?

Short and sweet, yes.

And if they have some damage they will go back out without repairing. Something to watch for.

A little OT, but has anyone ever been able to get Submarine Tracker to work?

ORIGINAL: wegman58

And if they have some damage they will go back out without repairing. Something to watch for.

So long as it's non-major damage, yes, the patrols will cycle ad infinitum. Which I see as a feature, actually. Conversely, even a single point of major damage ends the patrol.

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