Fresh Faced Recruit -SH IV

[depthtok33l]

Hi everyone, I am relatively new to the submarine simulator scene and I've got a few questions so please be easy with the new guy .

My questions will range from patches to in-game stuff.

So first off, I got this game about 3 months ago through steam without the U-Boat Missions Expansion which means I am stuck with version 1.3. After a few gruelling days, I've finally understood the "fundamentals" - navigating, positioning for an attack, evasion, even manual targeting and so on.

Here comes the questions...

• I've read that SH IV by itself has v1.4 as its latest patch and steam won't update it. I've tried manually downloading the v1.4 patch itself but apparently the directory is incorrect so I can't install it. I've also read in the Ubi forums that the v1.3 on steam is actually a "typo" and the actual version of SH IV without the expansion on steam is v1.4. I tried to confirm the version by installing Trigger Maru Overhauled for v1.4, it seemed to load however at about 80% of the loading bar, error shows up and it says i have a few missing stock files. So what I need from the subsim community is clarification, what is the actual version of SH IV on steam (without the U-Boats Expansion).
  
  
• Another question is about Manual Targeting, particularly the legendary Dick O'Kane Technique. There are many tutorials out there ranging from Youtube to step by step instructions in forums and I've learned a lot from these and I almost made it to work however for someone who's not too bright at mathematics, I have a problem with AoB in the TDC. How exactly do you measure angular deviation that you will use to subtract from 90° to get the "actual AoB" and so on. Also please take in to account in your answers, I am playing on steam version 1.3 so I can't really install any mods/tools/tweaks etc. whatsoever. Only the stock game.

Thanks.

[fireftr18]

Welcome aboard, depthtok33l. Always fun to have a new guy to push around, err, I mean, share our vast wealth of knowledge, and provide guidance.


Your first question. I don't use Steam, so I can't help you on that end. On the loading screen of the game, look at the lower right hand corner. That will give you the version you're running. When you can, go ahead and get the U-boat expansion. The latest mods are written for it. It also fixes a lot of problems. You don't need to upgrade incrementally, the U-boat add-on upgrades it to version 1.5 and includes all the up-dates.

Your second question. Personally, I still use auto-targeting. I learned how to do manual and can do a decent job with it, even sonar and radar only attacks. I just simply don't like it. There are some advantages to using manual. It takes a lot of practice. Find the tutorial that works for you and do your best.

[Sailor Steve]

WELCOME ABOARD!

Don't let fireftr18 get away with anything. He's just glad to have somebody lower on the totem pole than he is.

The latest patch is actually 1.5, which updates several things and adds u-boats to the game. Unfortunately the Steam versions don't always play well with patches or mods. Other than that I can't say much because I live by the disc.

I'm sorry to not be more help, but I too use Auto Targeting, mainly because my math is pretty much non-existant. There will be others along who are experienced with Manual Targeting and will be able to help.

[Jimbuna]

Welcome Aboard Matey

[Aktungbby]

DEPTHTOK331

[CapnScurvy]

WElCOME DEPTHTOK33l to SubSim!!

As fireftr18 points out, the game version is shown on the "main" game screen, in the lower right corner:

I've read in the Ubi forums that the v1.3 on steam is actually a "typo" and the actual version of SH IV without the expansion on steam is v1.4

That's a bunch of whooie!! You can't have a "typo" of the game version unless someones been messing around with the game files!!! The "v 1.0" text in the above picture comes from the games Data/Menu/menu.txt file. The only way you can get a different "text" of the game version is for someone to change the text in the menu.txt file at the #213 entry. If someone has done that.......then what in the world is Steam selling?!?

Sounds like the guy from UbiSoft's forum that posted that tidbit must be working for Steam!!

Either way....that's Bull Poop. Version 1.3 is inferior to version 1.4. If your game reads "v 1.3" on the "main" game screen....that's what you've got.

It's too bad, but just last year there were DVD disk versions of the "Gold Edition" (that has version 1.5, which included the U-Boat Missions Add-On) could be bought for under 10 dollars. This year, the supply must have run out because I don't see anyone selling a DVD disk version of the latest/complete game (unless its on E-Bay used; or Amazon selling them for $40 to $60 plus).

======

Dick O'Kanes ideas are to get as perpendicular to the targets path of travel, get as close as you can, then fire away. The idea being a perpendicular angle will provide the entire targets width exposed to you. Moving in close to say 1000 yards distance is like sticking a pistol into someones gut, then pulling the trigger.....even grandma can do it. As long as you lead the target a reasonable amount to account for its speed, you're going to get hits. However, you won't get the chance to have this favorable position in all cases. So, learning manual targeting will help in many different type's of situations.

Auto targeting takes all the guess work out of figuring AoB, Range, or target Speed. You'll still miss if your not perpendicular to the target, or allow the gyro angle to be greater than 15-20 degrees off center. Or, you don't "lock" the target to allow the TDC to keep up with the targets changing position. Other than that, the green triangle tells you when to shoot.

In manual targeting you have to master several things to get a proper firing solution. One of the things you should learn is map plotting a target's position. You use the Navigation Map to plot its course (its the map that has the "tools" for marking a targets position, or measuring distance), which will help in your positioning of the sub for the upcoming attack. Without knowing where the target is, or what tract its going to take, you'll be lost in getting into a firing position. The map plot can also determine the target's speed. If you know it traveled a certain amount of distance, compared to a certain amount of time to travel that distance....speed calculations can be made. This can be done with the Game Options set for either "No Map Contacts Update" enabled or disabled. Being enabled, you'll not see the target ship's icon on the map....you'll need to make a map plot just like the real life crew did back in the day.

I won't go into much more detail, but you may like to download this "High Realism Tutorial" I made some time ago. It will help in this kind of manual targeting/map plot.

Also, my AoB Calculator can help in figuring a targets bearing, or AoB. Its a hand held tool with three disks that can help when map plotting. This .PDF version is opened with Adobe's Reader. Just follow the directions.

[aso544]

I always wished there was a mixture of Auto and Manual targeting simulated in the game. I can do manual targeting but only on one target at a time... Too much math for me to keep straight to get reliable hits on multiple targets. Been nice to have the ability to enter in all the required info or the info you want and the request the other. I thought SH3 kinda had this option.

[merc4ulfate]

Stop using math LOL

Actually I would suggest you study Dick O'Kanes method. It tends to make targeting easier.

You'll find extremely good techniques and tactics here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=146795

[ReallyDedPoet]

Welcome

[Tombomsee]

Welcome, DEPTHTOK331 !

I purchased SH4 and the U-Boat Missions Expansion(Patch to 1.5) through Steam and had no problems so far. I think it is really worth the money and makes playing with the latest mods a lot easier.
Important : DO NOT INSTALL TO YOUR SYSTEM PARTITION (Usually C:\...\SteamLibrary\SteamApps\...) !