How to play with "No map contacts update"?

[poor sailor]

Well, I'm now using a GWX mod but with this option unchecked because of using "Assisted Plotting" mod. Is there any manual or something like that, maybe a some tips how is possible to play this game with this level of reality and this option(No map contacts update). When you check this option no sonar lines are visible. It's really hard and I from this moment start to looking how is possible to make a good measures on navmap and how to sink a ships. The "Assisted plotting mod" is already not easy to use because the sonar lines are dashed and you don't know the exactly and precisely end of sonar line. This mod is a part of NYGM which I use before, and when you have unchecked option "No map contacts update" You have a 100% in realism settings, and maybe because of that I have a practice to say that I play in 100% realism and now in GWX. Is there any idea? Any advice? Come on hardcore players, help me!

[Jimbuna]

Don't play 100% realism...I like the external view for screenies and eye candy ;)

[Hitman]

Is there any manual or something like that

There are manuals about different aspects of playing the game at 100% realism, f.e. manuals about targeting and manuals about plotting and intercepting. I have however not yet seen one about evading.

No map contact update is one of those things that, while true to historic reality, is more or less debatable in the effect it produces in the game. True, real Kaleuns had no magic God eye plotting what teh DDs were doing, but their orientation in 3 dimensions was way better than yours. You are in front of a flat 2D screen, and things like bow-stern-backbord-starbord and such are not intuitively set, specially in underwater navigation. Worser even, unless you have a rig equipped with positional surround sound and many loudspeakers, you will just hear DDs over you in 2D also (Let and right speakers).

That said, here are some tips you can follow to make gameplay easier when you are being hunted (The most problematic situation when playing with no contact updates):

- First, fix your camera view in a manner that you look to the bow of your U-Boot. In the control room, that means looking to the hatch that leads to the radioman and sonar. You will not see the depth instruments on your right, where the planesmen are working, but you will be more oriented in the 3D environment.

- Second, take advantage of your loudspeakers as much as you can. Sound is essential in any submarine. If you only have two loudspeakers, it is a good idea to slightñy tilt your view left and right from your look-to-the-front position to be more aware of where do the DDs come from.

- Third, order your sonarman to follow the nearest warship contact. If you are looking to the front like I suggested, it is easier to understand what the sonar man is telling you, and having an idea of where the closest destroyer (The one who will do the DC run) is. Once the DD is over you on a DC run, the sonarman will loose the contact or suddenly have it in front. You know then it has passed above you and DCs are coming.

- Fourth, a lesson I learnt well playing flight sims: Always turn in the direction where the attacker comes. If you turn AWAY from him, you allow him to follow you. If you turn in his direction, he will be forced to make a much sharper turn, something he usually won't be able to do. That's a golden opportunity to run out of his soundgear coverage. An example: You are heading north (0 or 360 in the compass) and a DD comes to make a DC run from the south east (Bearing 120, i.e. it comes from your right-back quarter). You must turn RIGHT when he runs over you.

Hope that helps:up:

[Chock]

With no map contact updates things can be difficult, although for me it's been such a long time since I've ever played with this on (probably since SH1 days!).

Anyway, here's a screengrab of the kind of thing I do in lieu of not having the sim give me all the easy info:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/AlanBradbury/Rangeandbearingestimate.jpg

What is happening on this screenshot is an end-around is in progress on a previously attacked convoy. Having escaped the destroyers following my first attack, I need to stay out of range of the convoy and track parallel to it, monitoring its position by sound alone. I determined its heading upon surfacing and then went about 10 miles to the left of it before turning on a parallel course. Positions 1,2 and 3, are points along my parallel course where I submerged (approximately every ten miles) and listened on hydrophones for the spread of sound of the convoy. I then drew 2 lines from my sub, one for each 'outside edge' of the bearings of the sound. From this I could determine the position of the convoy, and based on the fact that I knew the convoy was doing ten knots, and I was doing flank speed, I was able to 'guesstimate' the range of the convoy from its position changes relative to my hydrophone sweeps at ten mile intervals. You can go off historical figures for range, most hydrophones could pick stuff up at about ten miles, but on occasion they could detect a big convoy fifty miles away, in any case, you get used to guessing ranges from sound levels after a while of doing this kind of thing, so it's actually quite good fun.

Eventually, after having done this about ten more times, the convoy's sound placed it at between about 140 degrees and 180 degrees, meaning I knew I was well ahead of it, at this point I could track across to the line of the convoy's approximate track then sit at about 1500 yards off their predicted track. Then it is just a case of listening for them on about a bearing of 085 degrees from your sub, and waiting for them to sail right by. Some adjustment is usually needed to take account of destroyers ranging back and forth in front of the convoy, but that's all part of the fun.

I'm sure you know most of this stuff, but it's way more fun doing it all manually, as the rewards of getting it right are just that much more engrossing and enjoyable.

:D Chock

[von Zelda]

"No Map Update" is the best way to play for realism. But you need to practice and learn how to use your hydrophone operator. He tells you some important things when he makes a contact; bearing, estimated speed, estimated distance and direction of travel.

I'm using GWX with Rubini's Alert Crew Mod and the soundman generally announces a new contact at 22 - 23 kilometers. I use the map tool and draw a 23-kilometer line out the soundman's bearing. This is the first contact point. I wait 10-minutes and ask the soundman for another bearing and then draw another line out at least 23-kilometers. Then, using the soundman's speed estimate (usually slow or medium), I determine an estimate of distance traveled in 10-minutes. I draw a circle with this radius and place the center point on the first contact point. Where the circle crosses the second line will give you a pretty good idea of target's course. Waiting another 10-minutes (total of 20-minutes), I ask the soundman for another bearing and go through the same steps as I previously did for the second contact bearing. One additional step is now to estimate the distance traveled in 20-minutes. Place the center point of this circle on the first contact point and see where in lands on the third contact line. Assuming the target has not changed speed, you should be able to determine a pretty good estimate of target's course.

Now, all you have to do is determine an intercept course based on your speed and target's estimated speed. When the target is close enough, you'll be able to determine the exact location relative to your position by using the periscope. Note the bearing to the target and his estimated distance, then plot it on the map. Make several observations as you close on the target and plot them on the map. His couse will give you enought info to determine AOB and if you note the time of your obervations, you can calculate a more accurate estimate of speed. And, target speed is the most important aspect of manual targeting.

Hope this is of some help.

[poor sailor]

Many thanks to all! I will use this really usefull instructions you gave to me and start to play with this option checked. Hard, yes but it is much real. Thanks!:up: