advice for begining patrols please

[flag4]

hello hunters

this might be a 'durr' question, but here goes,

is it best to zip along in high time compression to the patrol grid and then start or is there logic/advice ?? in using the route out

many thanks
flag4

[JU_88]

Hi and welcome,
You dont need to take your patrol orders to seriously,
If dont visit it, you just wont get the measly reknown points for it.

It better to choose your own hunting grounds, there are plenty of hotspots to pick up convoys.
As for time compression. be careful! you need to check the weather every day, if you are in High TC whilest moving surfaced though heavy fog, it is likely you will get killed by an escort. (this can all happen in a flash with out you knowing what hit you)

Dive every so often to make good use of the hydrophone, you can hear much further than you can see.

[3Jane]

I keep my TC down to X128, it allows plenty of time to react to ship/aircraft sightings. I only moved up to X256 maximum when I bought a IXB to cover longer distances. You can sight a lot of potential targets on the way to your assigned area, so it's worth keepng the TC down. It's worth reaching your assigned grid area and completing the 24 Hrs there, any renown you can gather is worth it when it comes to upgrades in equipment or boat types.
Don't bother engaging aircraft, the damage and consiqential reduction to your hull integrity can severely limit your maximum diving depth when evading escorts.
Definitely use your hydrophone a lot.
Don't waste torpedos on small freighters, use the deck gun or if the weather prevents that, ignore them. Save the torpedos for larger targets. With unescorted large targets, I tend to use one torpedo and finsh it off with the deck gun. Only if the weather is bad do I use two. Make your fuel last, in a VIIB I found 9 knots to give the best range, 8 knots for a IXB. Be patient, you can see nothing for what seems like forever then have a nice convoy report by radio. This is certainly where being economical with torpedos pays off. Having only one or two shots left with a convoy nearby is certainly a frustration to avoid.

[papa_smurf]

Make your fuel last, in a VIIB I found 9 knots to give the best range, 8 knots for a IXB

This is very sensible, as you don't want to run out of fuel mid-patrol. I found that travelling at 7knots for the Type VII/IX works better, as you can travel much further, but it does take a bit longer to get to you destination.

As for TC, I also stick to TCx128 on most patrols, a bit less if the weather is bad, as you can be going along at TCx128, and next thing - WHAM! your sunk by a passing ship.

[JU_88]

The Irony is, whilst the heavy fog is your worst enemy in the early war but its your best friend in the late war, it gives you a much needed break from air attacks and you can detect most escort nasties with radar warning... so long as you dont slam in to a armed merchant you are laughing! :)

[flag4]

thanks hunters

its knowing these little snippets of advice that tightens the game and its realism up nicely:yep:

[papa_smurf]

The Irony is, whilst the heavy fog is your worst enemy in the early war but its your best friend in the late war, it gives you a much needed break from air attacks and you can detect most escort nasties with radar warning... so long as you dont slam in to a armed merchant you are laughing! :)

This is very true, but make sure that your own Radar isn't on for too long, as the enemy will be able to home in on it:damn:

[3Jane]

For realism ( I only play 76%, I like the external views:D). Things like, avoid reloading extrernal torpedos too close to enemy coasts or high traffic shipping lanes. Even if it means burning up fuel to find a more remote sea area, it feels better. Bringing in externals whilst tailing a convoy with the RL risk of escorts dropping back to patrol the rear, feels like a cheat-around. Of course in the later war years, reloading externals becomes impossible anyway.
Engine speed doen't affect battery recharge time, as far as I know. So don't waste fuel thinking you are recharging more quickly by increasing speed.
For rough seas. Set the speed by the knots rather than just the telegraph setting (1/3-1/2 or Full etc) If I hit rough weather, for example and I am at 8 knots, the speed will drop to about 6 or 7 knots. But the maximum range at 'set speed for 8 knots' will still be greater than 8 knots at telegraph 1/3, which would normaly be about 10 or 11 knots in calm seas. If that makes any sense :doh:

[desirableroasted]

You dont need to take your patrol orders to seriously,
If dont visit it, you just wont get the measly reknown points for it.

It better to choose your own hunting grounds, there are plenty of hotspots to pick up convoys.

And, yet...

1) You get 400 renown points in GWX for going to your sector, doing 24h, and completing your patrol (by quitting within shouting distance of your port). 400 over several patrols is not "measly".

2) Hotspots abound, so detouring to enjoy one on your way to your patrol sector is just an exercise in planning.

3) If you have managed fuel correctly, you will have more than enough fuel left after your 24h on staton to visit all the playgrounds you want.

Unless you tear around at flank speed, fuel is not the limiting factor, so why not go to your patrol sector?

[TarJak]

You are being sent by BdU to the grid for a reason. Go there pick up your free renown and if something comes your way on the way there then go for it. Once you've done your time on patrol you can go hunting elsewhere.

[Canovaro]

hello hunters

this might be a 'durr' question, but here goes,

is it best to zip along in high time compression to the patrol grid and then start or is there logic/advice ?? in using the route out

many thanks
flag4

You may want to take a look at the Operation Spinnennetz intel map to setup your route. Follow the link in my signature.

[Jimbuna]

You are being sent by BdU to the grid for a reason. Go there pick up your free renown and if something comes your way on the way there then go for it. Once you've done your time on patrol you can go hunting elsewhere.

As TarJak says......whatever you come across during the 24hr period....consider it a bonus. Move on to other areas, expand your horizons :arrgh!: