Hi folks, I have made a custom card for TrickiVic, the U-441 so called U-Flak 1 „Flakfalle“
This German submarine unit was used in 1943 as a kind of Flaktrap for ASW Aircraft. It should surprise incoming Patrol Bomber by using their 2 quadruped 20mm AA, 3.7 cm AA and several MG42s before they throw their depth charges. Generally this whole AA refit was not as successful as excepted so I only put here an SA for AA capability.
What do you think about it? Do you have any further comments / recommendations?
I personally would second the 'swtich' the number to a 6 being a destroyed aircraft, and a 1/2 being it continues the attack to keep with the pattern of the high rolls being the desired outcome for the U-Flak's attack. Though again that may just be personal preference.
13 points also seems rather high for a 1 hull sub. Comparing it to U-510 for example: U-510 has better torps, same SAs (except no AA ability), and 2 hull points for 2 points less than this unit. Personally I would see this as somewhere around an 8/9, maybe 10 point unit at most. You're essentially giving a 2/3 chance at an aircraft abort/destruction for the trade off of less torps and less hull. With the unit being less of a threat to enemy ships and more of a threat to enemy air, your opponent is likely to prioritize going after your other more punchy/less defended subs first.
IMO I would make some adjustments to the U-Flak SA, and again these are just personal musings on the fly. I would have something similar to Surcouf's SA, because the sub is for the purposes of it's SA, on the surface conducting an anti-air attack. Thereby it would be vulnerable to surface unit fire. Or more vulnerable to air attack. So a modifier similar to Submarine Corsair or a penalty to armor for a failed attack (a roll where the enemy aircraft continues their attack unaborted/destroyed) would be understandable.
I realize that makes it a pretty complicated SA overall, and IMO the trade-off for the AA attack doesn't warrant such a large point investment. I really enjoy the unique-ness of the U-Flak idea, both in-game and in practice, and do see it's benefit. Especially if you involve any stacking limit houserules where this could potentially provide air cover for multiple units. Also by having this sub be less of a target, you're pretty much guaranteeing that you'll have a Wolfpack SA around for a while for any other subs that do have the same SA to benefit from this unit.
Last Edit: Nov 2, 2022 15:30:02 GMT by attackercat
I personally would second the 'swtich' the number to a 6 being a destroyed aircraft, and a 1/2 being it continues the attack to keep with the pattern of the high rolls being the desired outcome for the U-Flak's attack. Though again that may just be personal preference.
13 points also seems rather high for a 1 hull sub. Comparing it to U-510 for example: U-510 has better torps, same SAs (except no AA ability), and 2 hull points for 2 points less than this unit. Personally I would see this as somewhere around an 8/9, maybe 10 point unit at most. You're essentially giving a 2/3 chance at an aircraft abort/destruction for the trade off of less torps and less hull. With the unit being less of a threat to enemy ships and more of a threat to enemy air, your opponent is likely to prioritize going after your other more punchy/less defended subs first.
IMO I would make some adjustments to the U-Flak SA, and again these are just personal musings on the fly. I would have something similar to Surcouf's SA, because the sub is for the purposes of it's SA, on the surface conducting an anti-air attack. Thereby it would be vulnerable to surface unit fire. Or more vulnerable to air attack. So a modifier similar to Submarine Corsair or a penalty to armor for a failed attack (a roll where the enemy aircraft continues their attack unaborted/destroyed) would be understandable.
I realize that makes it a pretty complicated SA overall, and IMO the trade-off for the AA attack doesn't warrant such a large point investment. I really enjoy the unique-ness of the U-Flak idea, both in-game and in practice, and do see it's benefit. Especially if you involve any stacking limit houserules where this could potentially provide air cover for multiple units. Also by having this sub be less of a target, you're pretty much guaranteeing that you'll have a Wolfpack SA around for a while for any other subs that do have the same SA to benefit from this unit.
Totally forgot about Submarine Corsair. I was trying to come up with the SA that was similar to "Press The Attack".
Stacking limits is something of a potential interest. From what history I read about these units they were meant to escort other U boats. So you could increase a sector to two submarines.
Erwin Rommel - "Give me American supply lines, British planes, German officers and Canadian troops, and I can take over the world".
Totally forgot about Submarine Corsair. I was trying to come up with the SA that was similar to "Press The Attack".
Stacking limits is something of a potential interest. From what history I read about these units they were meant to escort other U boats. So you could increase a sector to two submarines.
An SA to increase sub limit +1 would be very useful and powerful imo, because a 2/3 chance at an abort/destruction is pretty good, and made better by actively being able to screen another submarine that may be able to hit harder. Downside is potential ASW suppression is twice as effective, but it would add a lot of punch to this unit.
I see the auto function of the attacker's die roll, regardless of the defense or type of plane of the defender, as problematic. The AA of the Sub auto-kills the defender 1 in 6 whether it is a String Bag or an Avenger...?
Is there a precedent for this much fire power in another card (without a chance for defensive mitigation)? Why not just give it a normal AA rating instead of an auto kill function?