GWX - any use for submerged speeds other than silent and flank?

[MarkShot]

I don't have much experience playing, but it seems that I am either going to be at silent (most of the time) or flank (during an attack).

I was curious if anyone runs at any other speeds and in what situations?

In other games, I have maneuvered at 2-4kts while still distant from the screens active sonar. Or sometimes, when I have been acquired by active sonar, I raise my speed to 2-3kts to reduce the time required to hit top speed when the DCs drop.

So, are there uses for the other submerged speeds, and, if so, when and how?

Thanks.

[MarkShot]

Well, I did just think of one other case why I might be at a medium speed. I suppose if you a trying to transit an area under shore or air observation during daylight hours.

[Foghladh_mhara]

I'll run at ahead standard or full sometimes if I'm intercepting an unescorted merchant. I never let loose at less than 1000m and if theres no escort about to hear you but you're too close to surface in good weather a good burst of speed can be handy

[Penelope_Grey]

Silent Speed, for hydrophone evasion, and longest underwater duration.

Ahead slow for underwater duration with slightly quicker snail pace.

1/3 for diving, surfacing, or generally making moves where speed is not of the essence.

Standard, for intercepting while submerged, quicker dives, turns, surfaces.

Full, never use it.

Flank, getting the frig out of the way of a depthcharge! Intercepting targets, fastest dives, surfaces, turns.

[johnno74]

Your sub gets very poor "battery economy" running at flank. You can drain the batteries in only an hour or two at flank speed. At standard, or 2/3rds you'll get 2 or 3 times the endurance, for only a slight drop in speed.
Someone here can probably give us a table of endurance/range for each of the speed settings...

Also, there isn't a linear relationship between submerged speed and noise produced. I haven't done any comprehensive testing but I'd guess at flank speed you'd be producing twice as much noise as at 2/3rds speed.

So, if you are stalking or evading a ship at medim range you can safely use 2/3rds ahead, but hit flank and they would hear you immediately.

I generally only use 1/3 if I'm within 2km of a warship, or if I'm already in position and I'm just waiting for my target to arrive.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Not sure if this applies... as it requires a player to "choose to play realistically" since there is no provision for the following in SH3.

Speed while snorchelling should not exceed 5 kts. Anything above that speed should (but does not) break the snorchel.

[KeptinCranky]

I definitely use 3 and 4 knot speed when transiting target-rich, but aircraft rich environments like single ship lanes underwater by day, I then stop every hour to do a manual hydrophone check , other than that I cruise along at 3 knots letting my Funker do the listening, 4 knots if I've gotten a battery upgrade. It's hardly risky since you'll still hear any warships long before they hear you unless they're dead in the water, which makes for a nasty surprise.

[dcb]

Lots of uses for in-between speeds.
1. When trying to get the speed of a target by the matching speed method.
2. When chasing a slow target while low on fuel - usually I set full speed, to minimise fuel burning.
3. When attacking submerged in choppy seas, 2 knots is not enough. I usually set 4 knots to make periscope a little more stable, even though I keep the silent running on.
4. Of course, when cruising I set the economic speed - around 10 knots for a IXC, also to minimise fuel burning.

[SmokinTep]

I stay on the surface as much as possible. I don't think you save much fuel by submerging from time to time as it takes a little more fuel to recharge the batteries.

[danlisa]

I can't even think of a reason to use Flank except when crash diving.

Approaching a convoy / getting into position is always 1-2kts (otherwise you're not going to get into a favourable position;))

Evasion if/when detected is always no more than 4kts. There is no need to freely advertise/confirm your position by hitting flank.

The thing is, if you have approached / attacked / withdrawn correctly when attacking a convoy then if you get detected you should already be at depth by the time an escort is even near you. Thus making the need for flank/full speed manoevers null & void. If you are at 150-200m+ by the time an escort is dropping cans near you then low speed & small course changes are all you need to dodge the cans.:up:

Here's a neat way to open your approach or deceave the escorts, I suggest everyone tries this atleast once.:up:

As you are nearing your planned attack position, target/fire at a ship on the far side of the convoy with an electric torpedo. Don't worry if it didn't sink. Now, you should see the nearside & lead escort head over there to start searching for you, leaving you free access to the nearside/centre of the convoy.

Wash, rinse & repeat.:lol: