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Tankerace -> RE: Can Someone Explain This To Me? (11/28/2006 6:11:32 AM)
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The pathfinding can be wierd occasionally. Usually because of commander's taking "initiative" to bypass submarines.
I would manually route the TF around the submarine, or use shorter distances so that "commander's discrestion" can't bite you in the butt.
I've had it happen to me a few times, and it is annoying. But I have also cursed it not happening when a shiny new dreadnought ate two torpedoes. That said I am concerned about it going all the way around to the south, instead of a northern route to Midway. My initial guess would be since they are DMs, they chose to retreat from danger. Also, what is the commander rating on the TF commander?
As to subs running out of fuel, do they have enough fuel to make the base when you assign the destination? Also again what are the commander ratings? I understand that in hindsight and "god's eye" view of the world submarines are pretty immune. But in wartime, they (the submarine COs) don't know that. Fuel or no, they are going to zig zag and obey wartime SOP. My first thought would be to use submarines historically... i.e. no patrols from Pearl to Japan, H and R boats along the coast of the US, PI, New Guinea, or no further out than Midway. If 1920s pig boats are used like 1940s fleet boats, the results will be a bit screwy. The AI (that routes the actual task force, determines ratings, etc) will want to choose what it thinks is an acceptable route for the boat. It might be the best route to go from Japan to Pearl. The problem is that the subs in question couldn't realistically make the distance.
Remember, as a stark reminder to distance capabilities: the S boats that are at the PI (as per history) got there by being carried on Merchant ship hulls. They did not have the endurance to sail from PH to PI, even on a one way trip. A war patrol would have been impossible. Use of S boats against Japan from any base other than Asia, the PI, or at a reach Wake would simply not have happened. As to the coastal boats, average time at sea, at the most, was estimated at 14 days. 10 was the norm. In the WitP mindset you are used to 60-90 day patrols. In WPO 2 week patrols are a stretch, as it should be.
If you aren't using the boats that way, let me know. Some wacky pathfinding is not only OK, but desireable. Submarine captains did have considerable leeway, and should even when under "human control." Completely absurd pathfinding and historic use is not 100% acceptable.
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