New Guy questions

Oneofthelost · 02-04-18, 01:31 AM

Hello! I had a few questions regarding SH:4.

First, this isn't my normal type of game, and while I LOVE history, anything naval, beyond the age of sail is utterly beyond me. I've seen Red October and Widowmaker, but again, my specific knowledge of submarines is... lacking. Yet, I like a challenge, and this game is certainly putting me through the paces.

I'm on the last part of the Tutorial/Naval School. Ambush a convoy. I have most of the realism settings on, except for target calculations for torpedoes. (I watched ONE youtube video of how to do it manually, and immediately remembered how much I despise math. Let those smart crew members of mine figure it out!)

1. How in the heck do I see an actual range to my target? Sure I can look at the map, but is there a dial or something that I am missing? The periscopes don't seem to show range...

2. ...which leads me to my next question, what is the difference between a spotting and attack periscope? They seem to do the same thing...

3. The lead escort must have seen me somehow despite being at 50 submerged, and running 2/3's. How? Granted I was running right at him... but still. He's using the hydrophone to find me I'm guessing? I have no idea what that is or how it works. How would I avoid it?

4. Is there a guide somewhere that shows what all those pretty colors on the map mean? I.e. the difference between a red/black/blue line?

My final question relates to the game itself. I haven't played a Silent Hunter simulation before, but I picked up 3 and 4 on steam. Now, I don't own the expansion for 4. Which means I'm stuck at 1.3 or something because Steam is Steam. Without the latest patches is 4 worth playing? Or should I boot up 3? I could care less about graphics, so 3 is an option, I'm just not sure how I would do if all the dials and such where in German. :P I'm not interested in mods, because I'm still learning the game and would prefer to experience it stock first.

propbeanie · 02-04-18, 10:32 AM

v1.3 of SH4 will do for you for now, though the Uboat Missions "Add-on" is better. SH3 is also good. I played both "stock" for the longest time, back when... If you do go to mod either of them later, you will run into the Windows versus Steam "security" issue, and you will have to move your installs from the C:\ Program Files folder to a different Steam "Library" folder that Windows won't interfere with. For now, at stock, you're good for either game. While SH4 is US subs, and SH3 is German subs, there is nothing in either that would impede your understanding of what is going on. In the "Support" folder in the game's root ("C:\Program Files (x86) \Steam \Steam Apps \common \Silent Hunter 3\Support") is the "Silent Hunter 4 Manual.pdf". In SH3, it's the "Documentation" folder instead of Support, and it's "SH3 Manual EN.pdf" (if you're English speaking, "_DE" if German). In SH4, there's a front and back Quick reference jpeg files for keyboard shortcuts, and in SH3 that would be a "QRC.pdf" file in the Documentation folder. Those can all help you come to grips with the games.

At the top of page for this section of SubSim is THEBERBSTER's SH4 <> TUTORIALS <> HOW TO DO IT <... thread, and Rockin Robbins Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, both of which have info for from beginner to expert.

The main things for you, the observation periscope is larger in diameter, so as to pull in more light, especially for night use. It is seen much easier by the enemy. That is why when you press the periscope "hot key" (F4 in stock SH4), you default to using the attack periscope, which is much smaller in diameter. Even with that though, at a 2/3 speed, you attack periscope would be throwing up a pretty good rooster tail in the water, so you need to slow down to at most Ahead One Third. Pressing the "P" key will put you at periscope depth, which allows for the smallest profile of your periscope, except in rougher seas, when you might have to come up a few more feet. Even with all of that, unless you're shooting, you want your periscope up as little as possible. Quick, short peeks, make your map marks, then bring it down asap. If you click and slide-out the left-hand tab of the PK portion of the torpedo targeting system, you'll see a couple of boxes towards the top that will hold the ship identification and the range when you are on auto-targeting. You want to be as close as you dare when you shoot, generally 900-1500 yards, to minimize the possibility of the target seeing the torpedo tracks, and avoiding them with a speed change and / or course change. Sometimes though, shots from further out are necessary due to the escorts.

Use the <Q> key to open the torpedo tubes before you try to shoot, and use the <W> key to cycle from tube to tube in sequence. Oh! the blue lines means a warship has been detected on your sonar, the line indicating the direction of detection. The black ones are either unidentified, or merchant vessels. The red lines are the direction that a sonar ping is coming from - if my memory of stock isn't failing me...

Aktungbby · 02-04-18, 10:58 AM

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2183931&postcount=1 Oneofthelost!

after a four year silent run!...post#2!

THEBERBSTER · 02-04-18, 11:36 AM

A Warm Welcome Back To The Subsim Community > Oneofthelost
Subsim <> Make A Donation <> See The Benefits <> Support The Community
Tutorials And Other Information Links In My Signature Below

Oneofthelost · 02-04-18, 01:22 PM

Thanks for all the help Propbeanie! I left my periscope up the entire approach lol. Didn't even occur to me to put it up for short periods to update the map. That alone is going to change my tactics considerably. Much to learn. Thanks for the links, and the useful info! Can't wait to get back in my boat and give it another try.

Thanks again for the modding/documentation tips as well. I just realized that you can't widescreen SH3 stock. So I will probably try GWX or Living Silent Hunter out.

@Aktungbby

Yeah. I remember checking periodically on the forums, but at the time I was more heavily into flight/space sims/Age of Sail games. At the time I wanted a more free-form experience where I could just do whatever. Now my focus has shifted, and I remembered just how good Silent Hunter was. I may not have grasped it, but I recognized a good simulation when I saw it. For whatever reason I just didn't stick with it lol.

02-04-18, 01:31 AM	#1
Oneofthelost Nub Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 3 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	New Guy questions Hello! I had a few questions regarding SH:4. First, this isn't my normal type of game, and while I LOVE history, anything naval, beyond the age of sail is utterly beyond me. I've seen Red October and Widowmaker, but again, my specific knowledge of submarines is... lacking. Yet, I like a challenge, and this game is certainly putting me through the paces. I'm on the last part of the Tutorial/Naval School. Ambush a convoy. I have most of the realism settings on, except for target calculations for torpedoes. (I watched ONE youtube video of how to do it manually, and immediately remembered how much I despise math. Let those smart crew members of mine figure it out!) 1. How in the heck do I see an actual range to my target? Sure I can look at the map, but is there a dial or something that I am missing? The periscopes don't seem to show range... 2. ...which leads me to my next question, what is the difference between a spotting and attack periscope? They seem to do the same thing... 3. The lead escort must have seen me somehow despite being at 50 submerged, and running 2/3's. How? Granted I was running right at him... but still. He's using the hydrophone to find me I'm guessing? I have no idea what that is or how it works. How would I avoid it? 4. Is there a guide somewhere that shows what all those pretty colors on the map mean? I.e. the difference between a red/black/blue line? My final question relates to the game itself. I haven't played a Silent Hunter simulation before, but I picked up 3 and 4 on steam. Now, I don't own the expansion for 4. Which means I'm stuck at 1.3 or something because Steam is Steam. Without the latest patches is 4 worth playing? Or should I boot up 3? I could care less about graphics, so 3 is an option, I'm just not sure how I would do if all the dials and such where in German. :P I'm not interested in mods, because I'm still learning the game and would prefer to experience it stock first.

02-04-18, 10:58 AM	#3
Aktungbby Gefallen Engel U-666 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: On a tilted, overheated, overpopulated spinning mudball on Collision course with Andromeda Galaxy Posts: 27,823 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	welcome back http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2183931&postcount=1 Oneofthelost! after a four year silent run!...post#2! __________________ "Only two things are infinite; The Universe and human squirrelyness; and I'm not too sure about the Universe"

02-04-18, 11:36 AM	#4
THEBERBSTER Growing Old Disgracefully Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Dibden Purlieu - Southampton Posts: 9,605 Downloads: 1123 Uploads: 0	A Warm Welcome Back To The Subsim Community > Oneofthelost Subsim <> Make A Donation <> See The Benefits <> Support The Community Tutorials And Other Information Links In My Signature Below __________________ LSH3-2015 <> TUTORIALS <> ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW <> ALL IN ONE PLACE SH4 <> TUTORIALS <> HOW TO DO IT <> INFORMATION <> DOWNLOAD LINKS SH5 <> TUTORIALS <> HOW TO DO IT <> INFORMATION <> DOWNLOAD LINKS Always Here To Help A Fellow 'Subber' \| Need An Answer to A Question Just Send Me A PM

02-04-18, 10:32 AM	#2
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 9,735 Downloads: 439 Uploads: 2	v1.3 of SH4 will do for you for now, though the Uboat Missions "Add-on" is better. SH3 is also good. I played both "stock" for the longest time, back when... If you do go to mod either of them later, you will run into the Windows versus Steam "security" issue, and you will have to move your installs from the C:\ Program Files folder to a different Steam "Library" folder that Windows won't interfere with. For now, at stock, you're good for either game. While SH4 is US subs, and SH3 is German subs, there is nothing in either that would impede your understanding of what is going on. In the "Support" folder in the game's root ("C:\Program Files (x86) \Steam \Steam Apps \common \Silent Hunter 3\Support") is the "Silent Hunter 4 Manual.pdf". In SH3, it's the "Documentation" folder instead of Support, and it's "SH3 Manual EN.pdf" (if you're English speaking, "_DE" if German). In SH4, there's a front and back Quick reference jpeg files for keyboard shortcuts, and in SH3 that would be a "QRC.pdf" file in the Documentation folder. Those can all help you come to grips with the games. At the top of page for this section of SubSim is THEBERBSTER's SH4 <> TUTORIALS <> HOW TO DO IT <... thread, and Rockin Robbins Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, both of which have info for from beginner to expert. The main things for you, the observation periscope is larger in diameter, so as to pull in more light, especially for night use. It is seen much easier by the enemy. That is why when you press the periscope "hot key" (F4 in stock SH4), you default to using the attack periscope, which is much smaller in diameter. Even with that though, at a 2/3 speed, you attack periscope would be throwing up a pretty good rooster tail in the water, so you need to slow down to at most Ahead One Third. Pressing the "P" key will put you at periscope depth, which allows for the smallest profile of your periscope, except in rougher seas, when you might have to come up a few more feet. Even with all of that, unless you're shooting, you want your periscope up as little as possible. Quick, short peeks, make your map marks, then bring it down asap. If you click and slide-out the left-hand tab of the PK portion of the torpedo targeting system, you'll see a couple of boxes towards the top that will hold the ship identification and the range when you are on auto-targeting. You want to be as close as you dare when you shoot, generally 900-1500 yards, to minimize the possibility of the target seeing the torpedo tracks, and avoiding them with a speed change and / or course change. Sometimes though, shots from further out are necessary due to the escorts. Use the <Q> key to open the torpedo tubes before you try to shoot, and use the <W> key to cycle from tube to tube in sequence. Oh! the blue lines means a warship has been detected on your sonar, the line indicating the direction of detection. The black ones are either unidentified, or merchant vessels. The red lines are the direction that a sonar ping is coming from - if my memory of stock isn't failing me... __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayer/s" - Jimbuna

02-04-18, 01:22 PM	#5
Oneofthelost Nub Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 3 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for all the help Propbeanie! I left my periscope up the entire approach lol. Didn't even occur to me to put it up for short periods to update the map. That alone is going to change my tactics considerably. Much to learn. Thanks for the links, and the useful info! Can't wait to get back in my boat and give it another try. Thanks again for the modding/documentation tips as well. I just realized that you can't widescreen SH3 stock. So I will probably try GWX or Living Silent Hunter out. @Aktungbby Yeah. I remember checking periodically on the forums, but at the time I was more heavily into flight/space sims/Age of Sail games. At the time I wanted a more free-form experience where I could just do whatever. Now my focus has shifted, and I remembered just how good Silent Hunter was. I may not have grasped it, but I recognized a good simulation when I saw it. For whatever reason I just didn't stick with it lol.