TMO/FOTRSU/RSRDC/RFD, what are the differences?

Thrackerzod · 08-28-18, 06:43 AM

Just getting into SH4 after playing a bunch of SH5, and decided I'm in the mood for some pacific fleetboat action. However, though I've experimented with FOTRSU for the most part just out of picking it at sheer random, I have no real idea what the difference between all the major modpacks are. I probably even missed a couple, besides the ones in the title.

I should also add, that almost every single mod I find mentions TMO and or RFB compatibility, but I cannot find a single mod that ever mentions if it actually works with FOTRSU..

Sledgehammer427 · 08-28-18, 09:05 AM

RFB used to be my go-to mod. It was well put together and definitely the option if you want a stupendously realistic experience, though some of the graphics (mostly the environment) can be seen as lacking.

TMO used to be the gold standard of SH4 super-mods. It still kind of is. I've been playing more TMO lately because I like the concept of challenging escorts, and everything else involved is good to the point I can't not enjoy my time playing it. Ducimus put his heart and soul into TMO and it shows.
EDIT: one thing I forgot to mention with TMO and the reason I've been sticking to it is that Duci put together some great campaign additions, like the option of a "New Command 1942/43" that will give you the opportunity to sail a Gato or Balao as early as historically possible. To say I haven't tried to port these amazing "intro" campaigns into RFB/RSRDC is a lie entirely. Its the main reason I keep going back to TMO over RFB.

RSRDC is purely a campaign mod, Lurker spent a lot of time adjusting every layer of the taskforce, convoy, single ship traffic files and made it a much more realistic experience. You can usually assume that if you've spotted a ship somewhere in the game with RSRD enabled, Lurker found a document somewhere that said that type of ship was there. As its a campaign only mod, its been adapted and ported to RFB and TMO. His Atlantic mod, Operation Monsun, is also worthy of mention.

FOTRSU is still in testing, and to me, having played it a little last night, feels mostly complete but its still in a public beta. We are the guinea pigs, but altogether it feels good. I can't comment more on it as I've only put an hour or so of time on it.
ANOTHEREDIT: There aren't many mods that are compatible with FOTRSU because the FOTRS is still in testing and modders may be willing to wait until the mod is complete before trying to add their stuff onto it, instead of doing it now while things may be subject to change. Another reason, maybe, is that a ton of mods are getting to be 8-10 years old now, and the modders behind them may have moved on and forgotten all about SH4.

Your mileage may vary, scanning the readmes and manuals of the mods in question should give you the best overview of the mods you are most curious about. Altogether, you can't go wrong with any choice you make.

Thrackerzod · 08-29-18, 06:24 AM

Hmm, I guess I'll have to try and give TMO a shot then, mostly for wanting to also try the OTC mod, which as far as I can tell is not compatible with FOTRSU, and probably never will be since it seems like it hasn't been updated in several Years.

TMO looks interesting though, and also I can confirm that FOTRSU does have the alternate campaign starts with the Gato and Balao class subs, from 1942 and 1943! I hope FOTRSU gets finished soon..
I've noticed compared to Silent Hunter 5 and the even older Silent Hunter 3, it seems 4 has a much more niche group of people that still mod it and play it regularly, which is a shame.

Sledgehammer427 · 08-29-18, 09:53 AM

another honorable mention, one I've been turned on to and trying out lately, is the Guerrilla Submarines Spyron Mod, which has a different flavour than RSRDC, they can't overlap, and it changes the campaign structure of TMO too.

But, looking for something new on my RFB install, I decided to load it up in place of RSRDC and was greeted with my first mission on December 1941 in USS Gar being a supply drop at Corregidor. The usual "sink ships" and "patrol area" missions are there but I'm very interested to see what else I can do.

http://www.subsowespac.org/silent-hunter-4-mods.shtml

EDIT: I do notice SH4 having a very niche club of people who still play it. I can't say I'm a regular player, I haven't touched it for a good couple years before last week. Oh, the lovely side effects of ADHD. Sometimes its nice to kick back, read a book, and listen to the news from CBS amongst the Captain Midnight serials enroute to your patrol area

08-28-18, 06:43 AM	#1
Thrackerzod Swabbie Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 12 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 0	TMO/FOTRSU/RSRDC/RFD, what are the differences? Just getting into SH4 after playing a bunch of SH5, and decided I'm in the mood for some pacific fleetboat action. However, though I've experimented with FOTRSU for the most part just out of picking it at sheer random, I have no real idea what the difference between all the major modpacks are. I probably even missed a couple, besides the ones in the title. I should also add, that almost every single mod I find mentions TMO and or RFB compatibility, but I cannot find a single mod that ever mentions if it actually works with FOTRSU.. Last edited by Thrackerzod; 08-28-18 at 07:17 AM.

08-28-18, 09:05 AM	#2
Sledgehammer427 PacWagon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Drinking coffee and staring at trees in Massachusetts Posts: 2,901 Downloads: 280 Uploads: 0	RFB used to be my go-to mod. It was well put together and definitely the option if you want a stupendously realistic experience, though some of the graphics (mostly the environment) can be seen as lacking. TMO used to be the gold standard of SH4 super-mods. It still kind of is. I've been playing more TMO lately because I like the concept of challenging escorts, and everything else involved is good to the point I can't not enjoy my time playing it. Ducimus put his heart and soul into TMO and it shows. EDIT: one thing I forgot to mention with TMO and the reason I've been sticking to it is that Duci put together some great campaign additions, like the option of a "New Command 1942/43" that will give you the opportunity to sail a Gato or Balao as early as historically possible. To say I haven't tried to port these amazing "intro" campaigns into RFB/RSRDC is a lie entirely. Its the main reason I keep going back to TMO over RFB. RSRDC is purely a campaign mod, Lurker spent a lot of time adjusting every layer of the taskforce, convoy, single ship traffic files and made it a much more realistic experience. You can usually assume that if you've spotted a ship somewhere in the game with RSRD enabled, Lurker found a document somewhere that said that type of ship was there. As its a campaign only mod, its been adapted and ported to RFB and TMO. His Atlantic mod, Operation Monsun, is also worthy of mention. FOTRSU is still in testing, and to me, having played it a little last night, feels mostly complete but its still in a public beta. We are the guinea pigs, but altogether it feels good. I can't comment more on it as I've only put an hour or so of time on it. ANOTHEREDIT: There aren't many mods that are compatible with FOTRSU because the FOTRS is still in testing and modders may be willing to wait until the mod is complete before trying to add their stuff onto it, instead of doing it now while things may be subject to change. Another reason, maybe, is that a ton of mods are getting to be 8-10 years old now, and the modders behind them may have moved on and forgotten all about SH4. Your mileage may vary, scanning the readmes and manuals of the mods in question should give you the best overview of the mods you are most curious about. Altogether, you can't go wrong with any choice you make. __________________ Cold Waters Voice Crew - Fire Control Officer Cmdr O. Myers - C/O USS Nautilus (SS-168) 114,000 tons sunk - 4 Spec Ops completed V-boat Nutcase - Need supplies? Japanese garrison on a small island in the way? Just give us a call! D4C! Last edited by Sledgehammer427; 08-28-18 at 09:19 AM.

08-29-18, 09:53 AM	#4
Sledgehammer427 PacWagon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Drinking coffee and staring at trees in Massachusetts Posts: 2,901 Downloads: 280 Uploads: 0	another honorable mention, one I've been turned on to and trying out lately, is the Guerrilla Submarines Spyron Mod, which has a different flavour than RSRDC, they can't overlap, and it changes the campaign structure of TMO too. But, looking for something new on my RFB install, I decided to load it up in place of RSRDC and was greeted with my first mission on December 1941 in USS Gar being a supply drop at Corregidor. The usual "sink ships" and "patrol area" missions are there but I'm very interested to see what else I can do. http://www.subsowespac.org/silent-hunter-4-mods.shtml EDIT: I do notice SH4 having a very niche club of people who still play it. I can't say I'm a regular player, I haven't touched it for a good couple years before last week. Oh, the lovely side effects of ADHD. Sometimes its nice to kick back, read a book, and listen to the news from CBS amongst the Captain Midnight serials enroute to your patrol area __________________ Cold Waters Voice Crew - Fire Control Officer Cmdr O. Myers - C/O USS Nautilus (SS-168) 114,000 tons sunk - 4 Spec Ops completed V-boat Nutcase - Need supplies? Japanese garrison on a small island in the way? Just give us a call! D4C! Last edited by Sledgehammer427; 08-29-18 at 10:11 AM.

08-29-18, 06:24 AM	#3
Thrackerzod Swabbie Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 12 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 0	Hmm, I guess I'll have to try and give TMO a shot then, mostly for wanting to also try the OTC mod, which as far as I can tell is not compatible with FOTRSU, and probably never will be since it seems like it hasn't been updated in several Years. TMO looks interesting though, and also I can confirm that FOTRSU does have the alternate campaign starts with the Gato and Balao class subs, from 1942 and 1943! I hope FOTRSU gets finished soon.. I've noticed compared to Silent Hunter 5 and the even older Silent Hunter 3, it seems 4 has a much more niche group of people that still mod it and play it regularly, which is a shame.