Steel Wolves Auto-Resolve

Overview

The underlying simulation uses a monte-carlo approach to generate the probabilities. The combat phase is repeatedly (2-4 thousand times) played through for loners, small and large convoys with different settings and the results are recorded. A second program parses these files and generates linear tables from the results. The individual tables are then aligned against each other and DRMs (dice roll modifiers) are generated from the alignment. Finally, the resulting final table is written out with options to create a Latex or html table or just print it to the console.

Simulation

Most of the combat procedure, including the war period dependent draw cup seeding, was implemented. A couple of exceptions include the event system, different nationalities and the backside of ship counters. Aerial activity and 'red squares', describing ASW values, were randomly selected from a distribution similar to the one found on the game map.

The combat procedure can be run through with a single submarine or with a wolfpack of different sizes.

Rules and Tables

The following sections contain all the combat quick resolve tables for the wargame Steel Wolves. These tables should enable a quick resolution of combats against loners and convoys with only two dice rolls. The tables are sorted by war periods and torpedo values.

Not all war periods have been calculated yet and these tables might also update if the underlying simulation code changes. If you are interested in the code, it is freely available on Github.

Combat Result Table

The Combat Result Table lists the effects of the attack on the convoy and is split into two broad areas. The top area shows the tonnage sunk of all subs participating in the attack, the botton half shows the number of ships sunk in the attack. Use that same die roll on both tables. The 'Sub' column lists the sub type. The 'rolls' columns list the values for a single roll on a ten-sided die, modified by the DRMs. To the right there is the DRM table; it lists wolfpack size for wolfpacks and Elite Skipper DRM for the three skipper levels (none, +1 and +2).

Combat Effect Table

The Combat Effect Table lists the effects of the attack on the attacking submarine. The 'Sub' column again lists the sub type this result applies to, further segmented into either skipper quality or wolfpack size. The next rows handle the chance of a sub becoming spotted, RTB, damaged, sunk or promoted. Each entry is either:

• A number. In this case the effect applies to this number of subs.
• A range, such as [0-5]. If a die roll falls within this range the effect applies to a single sub.
• A range plus a number, eg [0-2]+1. In this case the effect will apply to one sub and to a second, if a die roll falls within this range.
• A number with a slash before the range, eg 3/[0-5]. In this case roll 2 dice, if the first one is the number in front of the slash and the second falls inside the range the effect applies to a single sub. Apply all effects that fall in this range.

How to use these tables

First determine the sub type and whether it is a wolfpack or a single sub attacking. Find the most closest sub type. Next roll two differently colored D10s. The first die is used to find both tonnage as well as ships sunk. Note that there are two different DRMs on these tables.

Next, examing the combat effect table. If the first die rolled is either a 0,1,2,3 or 9 there might be an additional effect, such as the sub becoming spotted, damaged, sunk, etc if the second die rolled falls into the given range. If there is an entry of a full number, such as '2' the condition will apply to that number of submarines. In case of wolfpacks you are free to chose.

Examples

A single 3-3-2 submarine without an elite skipper attacks loners during WP1 with a torpedo value of -1. The player rolls a '5' and a '8'. The sub sinks 1 ship for 2 tons. The effects table shows no results of the attack on the sub. Continue with the endurance check.

A single 5-3-3 submarine with a +1 elite skipper attacks a small convoy during WP1 with a torpedo value of 0. The player rolls an '8' and a '3'. The sub sinks 3 ships for 23 tons. No effects apply, proceed to the endurance check. Also note that this overrides the standard game rules form promotion!

A wolfpack of 6 4-2-3 submarines attack a large convoy during WP2 with a torpedo value of 1. The player rolls a '7' and a '2'. The wolfpack sinks 7 ships for 58 tons. One sub becomes spotted, one RTBs, one becomes damaged, one sinks and one promotes its skipper. Chose freely how these effects apply.

Tables

• WP1 TP-1 · 
• WP1 TP0 · 
• WP2 TP0 · 
• WP2 TP1 · 
• WP3 TP0 · 
• WP3 TP1 · 
• WP4 TP1 · 
• WP5 TP1 · 
• WP5 TP2