Night surface attacks

[Gambit]

I'm trying to make night approaches on the surface but inevitably get detected. What's your experience and how close can you get to the convoy? Do 'tricks' like ensuring your wake is minimal and bow facing the escort have an effect in the game?

[rubenandthejets]

This is a pretty big question.
I've made it to within 300 meters without being spotted-in a storm. Mind you, I couldn't spot them either!
I've been on the surface and drawing fire at 4-5000 meters, clear night, broadside on, late in the war.

There are so many factors it's almost impossible to answer. What mods you run, your realism level, the weather, the phase of the moon, the ASW the enemy have, your speed.....

Those tricks you mention will have an effect in the game-keep your eye on the moon too!

There are a lot of really good posts throughout this site that will give you a lot of great tips! Crank up the search function and good hunting!

[Falkirion]

You could modify a submerged attack strategy.

Approach underwater then when the target is close (And assuming unarmed merch) surface and shoot off your torps. Did that once myself, had two dud torps though so it didn't work out the way I planned.

A full surface run at a target is hard, there's alot of factors working against you.

[Hitman]

Theroretically you needed in real life at least a dark, moonless night (Moonlight has no effect however in SH4 IIRC) if possible clouded. And then also needed was to keep a low profile (Bow points to target) and moderate speed (prevents phosphorescent bow wake).

So you would expect to be able to conduct those surface attacks under those conditions in the game, but if you don't, you can try to modify slightly the cfg file (it'sa simple text file) that regulates how much is the enemy AI crew affected by the darkness.