Unit Request: Sea Shadow

[Senoj]

I have a great unit request for anybody who thinks they're up to it. The unit is a Sea Shadow. A modern Stealth Unit that is undetectable by radar. It is real and to my understanding is being used by the USofA. If you aren't convinced then have a look at some photos. Personally I would make it myself if A) I had time and B) I knew how. Mainly B.

 

[sween32]

isn't that the boat from Tomorrow Never Dies?

 

[Senoj]

I wouldn't know I haven't seen it. I keep on meaning to though. Maybe more pictures will help.

 

[Senoj]

 

[Senoj]

Ooops!

 

[Civ Commando]

Yes the sea shadow is real, its was basical a test ship built by they US navy to test new consepts such as stealth for ships. there was only one built tho.

As for Tommorow Never Dies, the stealth ship in that movie looked different from the sea shadow.

I would love for someone to make this, but is it possible to add a stealth ability to ships in Civ3?

 

[Senoj]

It should be. I'll just check.

 

[Senoj]

Well there isn't anything to say you can't. Anyone have any further info?

 

[zulu9812]

Well the Stealth ability only affects the unit's chnces of being shot down, so it's only really of use to aircraft. You're perhaps thinking of the Invisible ability?

 

[W.i.n.t.e.r]

How bout a hidden (submarine flag) transport for foot units...?

 

[sween32]

Originally posted by Senoj
I wouldn't know I haven't seen it. I keep on meaning to though.

Don't. It was horrible. The only good part was Stamper. Golden Eye is the best of the new ones.

Stealth should WORK, but will it be GOOD?

 

[zulu9812]

Originally posted by W.i.n.t.e.r
How bout a hidden (submarine flag) transport for foot units...?

That is the Invisible flag, it was called Submarine under a previous patch. And yes, it works with land units. Although the AI still knows where you're invisible units are

 

[dog]

Originally posted by zulu9812


That is the Invisible flag, it was called Submarine under a previous patch. And yes, it works with land units. Although the AI still knows where you're invisible units are

Yeah, I really hate that. Almost ruins the game for me b/c I like sneaking around and causing trouble. One of the things I miss about CTP was the 16 classes of visibility. Destroyers could see subs but not stealth subs. Stealth subs could see subs but not Special Forces etc etc.

I'm going to experiment on a work around for this problem. I think, from some previous experiences, that if you have two units, one with no attack or defense and invisible (but not hidden nationality), and another unit that has attack/defense values, hidden nationality and invisible (got all that?) and you keep the two units stacked together you'll have a the equivalent of an invisible guerilla unit. Two problems: AI won't use it right but hey, that's their problem, they cheat enough anyway; and two, if you're at peace with the AI they won't be able to attack you back which does kind of suck. I'll have to gameplay it and see how it works...if it's fun or if it's too powerful.

Btw, that stealth ship would be a great new unit. Hope someone tackes it.

 

[Polaris]

Here's an annoying little discovery that I recently stumbled upon. If you assign hidden nationality to a transport unit, the AI treats it just as it would a priveteer as far as knowing the owner of said unit, (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). However, as soon as units which have a visable nationality are loaded into the transport, the transport's anonymity is lost. Its like the AI can't "see" the transport, but it can "see" not only the men riding around in some invisable ship, but also the nationality of their uniforms!

 

[dog]

Originally posted by Polaris
Here's an annoying little discovery that I recently stumbled upon. If you assign hidden nationality to a transport unit, the AI treats it just as it would a priveteer as far as knowing the owner of said unit, (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). However, as soon as units which have a visable nationality are loaded into the transport, the transport's anonymity is lost. Its like the AI can't "see" the transport, but it can "see" not only the men riding around in some invisable ship, but also the nationality of their uniforms!

Ah...but where you see a "bug" I see a "feature."

Y'know, if you build a privateer, AI ships will come racing from all around the world to kill that poor little pirate ship. Like they've got spy satellites or something. But...from what you said, now I'm thinking I can give it a capacity of one, put a unit on it, and the AI won't kill it. AND...I betcha you could still use it to kill other ships w/o going to war. Unless you know different. Another experiment to try...

Thanks for the info.

I remember once seeing a WWII movie where Americans had some type of gun ship disguised as a merchant ship. When the Germans got close to their prey, the Americans dropped some sort of facade revealing rows of large guns. It's been a long time since I saw that movie, that's all I can remember. That's how I'll think of this new "feature." Appears to be a merchant ship flying the Atlantean flag (that's my civ, only way I could work in the amazon units) until it's too late and and the Atlantean flag lowers to be replaced by a skull and crossbones. He he, maybe there's some use for the privateer after all...

 

[Polaris]

Originally posted by dog:

I'm thinking I can give it a capacity of one, put a unit on it, and the AI won't kill it. AND...I betcha you could still use it to kill other ships w/o going to war.

Well, it would be nice to turn these "features" to one's advantage, but I think you are barking up the wrong tree with this one, (please forgive the awful pun, dog.) Unfortunately, in my example above, I tried to use my hidden nationality transport to cause a little "incident." The AI knew I was the one responsible and ordered me out of its territorial waters the moment I entered them. As I said, the AI may not see the transport vehicle, but it most assuredly sees the occupants and treats them the same as it would if you waltzed in with a band playing your national anthem on the deck of a battleship.

I remember once seeing a WWII movie where Americans had some type of gun ship disguised as a merchant ship. When the Germans got close to their prey, the Americans dropped some sort of facade revealing rows of large guns. It's been a long time since I saw that movie, that's all I can remember. That's how I'll think of this new "feature." Appears to be a merchant ship flying the Atlantean flag (that's my civ, only way I could work in the amazon units) until it's too late and and the Atlantean flag lowers to be replaced by a skull and crossbones. He he, maybe there's some use for the privateer after all...

That sounds like a description of a Q Ship. They were ordinary merchantmen fitted with hidden guns. In WWI, the British had the idea that these secret warships could take advantage of unwary U-boats that attacked on the surface using gunfire or by attempting to board their victim. As I remember, they were a big failure. I don't think any of the 20 or so Q-ships outfitted during the war ever sank a U-boat.

 

[dog]

Originally posted by Polaris

Well, it would be nice to turn these "features" to one's advantage, but I think you are barking up the wrong tree with this one, (please forgive the awful pun, dog.) Unfortunately, in my example above, I tried to use my hidden nationality transport to cause a little "incident." The AI knew I was the one responsible and ordered me out of its territorial waters the moment I entered them. As I said, the AI may not see the transport vehicle, but it most assuredly sees the occupants and treats them the same as it would if you waltzed in with a band playing your national anthem on the deck of a battleship.

It still might work. I've seen the AI "escort" a hidden nat land unit with a regular unit for the purposes of pillaging my lands. If the regular unit would have done the pillaging it would've been an act of war. Since the HN unit did it, even tho both units occupied the same square, it was not a declaration of war. I, of course, observed this behavior and learned to copy it. I suspect that the AI will "see" you and order you out but if you attack with the naval vessel it won't be an act of war. I'll try it and let you know.

Originally posted by Polaris
That sounds like a description of a Q Ship. They were ordinary merchantmen fitted with hidden guns. In WWI, the British had the idea that these secret warships could take advantage of unwary U-boats that attacked on the surface using gunfire or by attempting to board their victim. As I remember, they were a big failure. I don't think any of the 20 or so Q-ships outfitted during the war ever sank a U-boat.

OK, so my memory's not so good. WWI, not WWII and the British not the Americans...anyway... You're right though, I remember that they were called "Q-ships."

 

[Polaris]

Perhaps you're right. If it's the hidden nationality unit that actually does the attacking, then I suppose there wouldn't be a bona fide cause for the AI to declare war. Let me know if you can get this to work with any degree of success.

 

[Senoj]

Lots of teories being thrown around but the two main questions that still remain are;

A) Is it Possible?
AND B) Is anyone willing to create it?

 

[Senoj]

I'll take your word for it Sween32!