spy and photo missions question

[Joe S]

I have been ordered to insert an agent, which I did, and was looking forward to sinking some ships on the way home, which I did, but then I made the mistake of radioing my status and I was ordered to go back and photograph a harbor. I assume that I am to avoid enemy contact until the mission is complete but that I am free to engage enemy shipping on the way home, True? I am a little bit concerned about having enough fuel to go back to the mainland and then make it home. How can I find out if I have enough fuel? I have a little more than half a tank which I think should be enough but I am not sure.
After I sucessfully landed the agent on enemy shores, I assumed I was free to sink enemy ships on the way home. However, this second assignment is different. If i dont make it home with the camera and the film, I have compromised the mission. What are the rules of engagement for the return trip from a photo recon mission? does the "game" really care?Thanks! Joe S

[LeeVanSpliff]

I read somewhere (maybe in the manual? I attempt not to read it too much as the speed at which it is obviously compiled just before crunch time makes my eyeballs bleed) that the missions are secondary to you keeping your sub afloat (or adive or whatever).

Some pictures are good for the war effort, an intact sub is better. You're the captain of your sub, it is up to you to estimate whether or not you should take the risk of running out of fuel. I'm sailing a S-18 class atm, so if I get bounced too much around with different objectives I often run out of fuel and have to skip a mission.

I believe that you've got the right to engage enemy shipping when you see fit as well. Once again this is one for the war effort and I personally sink everything I can find (but I chase hostile shipping more on the return trip, as estimating how low I will be on fuel and torpedoes is easier).

[Schroeder]

You should radio your status report immediately after landing the agent/troops/supplies to get a new mission.

If you are using RFB you can use ctrl+g to get the maximum range at current speed.

[NeonsStyle]

One thing about these photo recon missions, is they aren't very realistic. I had one where I had to sneak into Tokyo Harbour to within spitting distance of the docks in water only 54ft deep. Of course I went in at night. I got in but everytime I did I got shot to pieces by shore batteries, and a destroyer came down on me b4 I could get to deeper water. I never did achieve the objective. It was impossible to stay in that spot long enough for it to register as a success. On top of that, I see no camera so not sure how I'm supposed to take photos (I assume one of the crew does it). I'm new to SH4 so would appreciate some advice on these missions. The objective always seems virtually unreachable for the recon missions.

Ven

[LeeVanSpliff]

It's been a while since I did one of those missions but if I remember correctly you'll have to align the observation scope ("o") to the target you try to take photos of. Once you've locked the target a button becomes clickable (I think it's under "camera" but I can't be sure).

I also did a photo mission at Tokyo (in an earlier patch, so it might have gotten harder). I got in and out by going in really really slowly under water, checking from time to time. At one point I had to come up during night to recharge the batteries and had a nasty encounter with some destroyers, but I managed to limp away close to the bottom.

[Monica Lewinsky]

... sinking some ships on the way home, which I did, but then I made the mistake of radioing my status and I was ordered to go back and photograph a harbor.

Yea, don't be like E.T. and phone home [your status].

If you do, make SURE you have 65% to 70% fuel lin the tanks BEFORE you make the phone call to your home port Admiral. Odds are they are gonna send you FURTHER west, and with today's diesel prices it could get EXPENSIVE and you coast into home port ... MAYBE ... with an empty tank and has you getting into home port just on batteries only because even the fumes are gone in your diesel tanks. Been there ... done that ... Regret that [sending status reports]

Yea, Think twice ... phoning home [just for a status report is sometimes not worth it] Based on YOUR conditions [look at your fuel gauage] ... sometimes it is not worth the mouse click. :-?

[Schroeder]

Just because you got a new mission doesn't mean you have to do it ;). From my experience I would say that it is only important to fulfill the first given mission. After that everything else is just nice to have but not essential.