Ready to give up playing

[Bill Seiko]

Maybe I am too old and slow for SH4 but due to bad luck or crashes I have still not got anywhere near completing a decent patrol apart from dropping off an insertion chap.
I have just tried RFB but it does not show targets on map, I just got runover by a tanker which I could not see on map and I got told it was at medium range??????
After last nights crash I am getting discouraged about playing.
No complaints about SH4 just disappointed in my own skill.

Bill

[ETR3(SS)]

Try one of the modern boats for a while. Adds quite the fun factor into the game.:yeah:

[Bill Seiko]

How do I get a modern boat, I have been playing US career?
If anyone is on MSN or skype they could possibly talk me through some good tips.
I am on MSN as Bill Seiko.
Thanks

Bill

[Reinhard Dietz]

Don't get discouraged; understanding diesel boat warfare in the 1940s isn't exactly the easiest thing in the world. Don't be afraid to dial back the realism options until you're comfortable commanding the boat. Once you know how the boat works, then start learning how to fight the boat. After that, start figuring out how to be a simulated American fleet boat skipper of the 1940s, all of it within your comfort levels and gaming preferences. Rome wasn't built, and digital dolphins aren't earned, in a day.

The thing to remember is that some of the folks here have been electronic skippers since the late 1980s or early 1990s and thus have years of experience in doing this. I can't speak for the creators of the RFB mod, but if you're new to 1940s diesel boats, you might just want to cut your teeth on the stock campaign. RFB and TMO might not be intended for guys new to the hobby but rather some of the vets who've been at this for a decade or two.

You might want to start a new career in 1943 or 1944 with a Gato, Balao or Tench boat; they're probably going to be better for the beginner. The key thing is not to get disgusted and hang in there. Heck, if all else fails, ask me when you get stumped---I've been trying to figure out how to fight a fleet boat and have had a bit of success against the stock campaign. (Admittedly, I'm ignorant of American doctrine and have been basically operating off of the Kriegsmarine playbook. I should rename Searaven to U-196 at the rate I'm going.)

There's plenty of help available for the novice skipper, so don't be bashful.

[Armistead]

Bill,

If you're having crashes, you need to fix that before anything. Am I reading this right, you crash a lot?

Could be numerous things, from hardware drivers, to software or mods.

If you're having crashes, give us your specs. Have you updated your drivers? What mods are you running?

[Bill Seiko]

Only had the one crash last night, think I may have given wrong impression about that part because of feeling low about my SH4 success.

Thanks

Bill

[magic452]

I'd go with the easier options in stock for a time as Reinhard suggested, it takes some time to learn this thing and the supermods might be a little above your experience. I played stock for quite some time before modding up.

I didn't even start a career for some weeks, just played Hellcat and other single missions and did some refits to keep it going. It's a Gato so you have radar to make things easier. Also it's later in the war and duds aren't such a big factor.
You can play that one till the end of the war if you want. Don't have the pressure of a career or any special missions. Just find ships and sink same.

Couple of tips on the crashes,
Don't use the default GU.exe to launch the game use SH4.exe.
Save the game on the Nav. map with the game paused.
Don't overwrite a save too many times, once or twice

Don't give up the ship! There is a war going on out there and we need all the good captains we can get. :salute:

Magic

[clayp]

Overrite a save? And why this Save the game on the Nav. map with the game paused.

[Keelbuster]

RFB might be a bit hard to start. Maybe try Trigger Maru Overhaul (TMO) and leave map contacts on. On the other hand TMO has really nasty escorts. Maybe just try Stock as the other replies suggested. Plus, use auto-targetting. While the art of calculating the torpedo fire control solution really is one of the most rewarding components of the game, for beginners it's important to learn how to get into firing position undetected first.

Roughly, a sub skipper has to:

1) detect his target (by radar, by eye, or by hydrophone, and possibly building upon information from a radio report)
2) get a sense of his target's course (using successive radar range estimates, visual range estimates, or just using geographic intuitions)
3) get in the way of the target's course undetected (often I rush to make visual contact; I try to prosecute a 90 degree approach at high speed, and then finish the distance after visual contact at periscope depth and flank speed, burning batteries)
4) get to firing position undetected - say < 2000 yards (this often requires going silent running, and experienced skippers will use this time to hone their firing solution)
5) destroy as many targets as possible
6) evade any enemy countermeasures (e.g., escorts, planes, etc).

Work on 1, 2, and 3. Remember, be stealthy - that's the submarine role. Save manual targetting for later, when you are more comfortable with the approach element. Don't fret - you'll get it! It's a hard game. That's why we love it.

Kb

[magic452]

Overrite a save? And why this Save the game on the Nav. map with the game paused.


Hi clay nice to see you around.

I never have CTDs or load bad saves and those are just two of the things I always do. Might not work for someone else.

If you save a game to a previous save name it will overwrite the old save.
I only do this if nothing exciting has happened, otherwise I save with a new name.

That is just what I do, always save with the game paused and I'm on the Nav. map, just something that works for me. I've never have bad saves no matter when or where I save.

Magic

[orangehat44]

Remeber RFB was made to be as realistic as they could. Its difficult to learn on. I tried it then switched to TMO, where you can still have contacts on you map and everything just watch out the AI is a bugger as it was designed to be. but being able to leave contacts and such on I think equal out in the added difficulty of the escouts and planes.

[Rockin Robbins]

I have to repeat the advice to learn the game stock first. If you want to use Webster's Game Fixes Only mod, that's fine because it does nothing to make the game more difficult.

Then set all your options to the easiest settings, especially leaving map updates on and setting automatic targeting on.

Now you have a chance to live long enough to learn how to handle your boat. Until you can do that with your eyes closed without thinking about it, you're not ready for manual targeting or map updates off, much less RFB or TMO, which will just ruin your whole day until you are ready for them.

[Bill Seiko]

Thanks what does Websters game only mod do and have you got a link for it please?

Bill

[Armistead]

Here's GFO...My pages run backwards, so just go to the first post..

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=151796&page=15

Don't give up the ship....When stock starts bothering you, then step up.

You have to remember when you play 100% with cams and contacts off, that's about close to reality...you'll sink few ships, frustration, slow playing,....it takes time to take that punishment.

[BillBam]

Thanks what does Websters game only mod do

Bill

It fixes bugs in the program and makes the game run smoother, it does not change any of the game play settings. If you read the thread in the post above you will get a good idea!

[Bill Seiko]

Thanks for all your help, so far I have done one patrol and just started my second. Only question I need answering now is when sonar gives me a warship contact do I need to dive deeper than periscope to avoid detection and being attacked.
I prefer the cowardly way out which means avoiding trouble.

Bill

[Reinhard Dietz]

The answer is, "It depends". Ask yourself---what am I trying to do? If you are not looking to fire on the warship or something it's escorting, then dive as deep as your hull and the seafloor will allow, flip on silent running, reduce speed to somewhere around 1-3 knots (there's a specific RPM here but I don't know it for fleet boats) and do what it takes to avoid showing it your sides. If you're beneath a thermal layer, then the stock AI is going to have a devil of a time finding you if you're running silent and slow. See The Ducimus AI Sonar Tutorial (http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/ai.htm) for further details. It's not for nothing that a bunch of Jurgen Prochnow's orders in Das Boot involved some variant of "Tiefer!"

Also: Not all things classified as warships carry antisubmarine weapons. Anything larger than a destroyer is not a threat to you while submerged. On the contrary, you are a dire threat to its future existence. They can call for help but that's it. On the other hand, if you surface in view of a Fuso, expect 14" main battery fire.

If, however, you're trying to kill something nearby, then stay at periscope depth, sneak around on silent running and avoid giving the sonar a large target to hit. Raise your periscope sparingly and open your tubes before firing to improve accuracy. Again, see the Ducimus AI Sonar Tutorial and adapt your tactics accordingly.

Hope this helps.

[Bill Seiko]

Thanks again the convoy ran away when I went to 100 ft and started tracking them on sonar so now who is the coward:D
Got to patrol area and saved now just got to find some merchants to sink.

Bill

[BadSeed]

Don't give up Man.
Relax and enjoy the warm Pacific evenings. Stop off along the way, pick up some spicey Asian takeaway and a couple of beers, get on deck under the stars and the warm glow of exploding ships. Beautiful.