Japanese destroyers
 

Is there any difference in game terms between the different types of Japanese destroyer and are there any I should be particularly wary of?

Be wary of all of them.

If you are running Stock only, there are a couple broken Destroyers - Escorts - that have DC throwers that don't work. This issue has been fixed by a couple of Mods, TMO for example has working throwers and DC depth settings repaired.

There is a jack rabbit start & instant stop issue in un-modded Stock that makes Escorts difficult to hit, but again, this issue has been addressed in some of the Mods.

In un-modded Stock, Escorts have super hearing and super human lookouts that have been toned down in some mods.

What Mods if any are you interested in trying?

Happy Hunting!

I'm playing stock at the moment, in a Balao at the start of 1944. Escorts aren't a big problem unless you let them get close, just dive to max depth and silently slide away (and don't engage convoys in shallow water). I've noticed that task force escorts have radar detectors whereas convoy escorts don't. Also there are times on the surface when you are being fired upon before your lookouts have even spotted them, but with radar you can just go to periscope depth way out of visual range. Thing to watch out for is not noticing that it is raining and getting an enemy ship right on top of you while accelerating time in map view.

Are any mods recommended?

After you feel comfortable playing stock I would suggest giving FOTRSU a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Just click on my sig picture to find the latest version.

BTW, Welcome to Subsim. Happy to have you with us. :D :salute:

Depends on mods, but the escorts are a much bigger worry than the destroyers, except their speed and on the surface. Stock sucks in numerous ways, so move to a good mod.