Practice tips

[Sam503]

I recieved the game recently, but I've found myself dependent on the auto targeting system. Are there any good methods I can practice using the manual targeting system?
Also, on missions I recieve alot of sound contacts. How do I use these to get into position to attack? I've tried plotting their course by making two marks and extending a line through them, but this is not very reliable.

[BillBam]

Watch Rockin Robbins tutorial videos in the Skippers Bag of Tricks thread to learn the Dick O'Kane method, the Cromwell method and also the Sonar Only method. Also watch the WernerSobe videos. These are all excellent.

You can practice these methods with this single mission.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=668

[Sam503]

Yes Ive seen the videos before. I just needed a medium to practice. Like the mission download! Thanks alot, this is exactly what I was looking for.:D

[magic452]

Sam make your marks three minutes apart and do this three times if you have the time. That will give you very good speed and course data.

Three minutes distance will equal the speed. 100 yards = 1 knot, 500 yd = 5 kn. 1000 = 10 kn. Some ships will be at fractional speed so if you are shooting long range 3500 = yards a quarter of a knot will make a big difference.

The course over 9 minutes will be very accurate.

Magic

[Sam503]

ok. I should make the marks at the end of the sound contact?

[magic452]

Yep, mark right on the end of the line.
It's not perfect but more than good enough to get course and speed.
One tip keep the zoom level on the map the same for the time you are marking, sometimes the zoom level will change the length of the lines.

Magic

[Rockin Robbins]

OK, man, here we have two missions to help you with any kind of targeting practice. The first one is my Dick O'Kane Practice Mission (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1898) which has a single target some decent distance away.

Then for more advanced work I have my Rockin' Robbins Convoy from Hell (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1128) which is a convoy of well armed merchies with a couple of pesky small escorts, a gunboat and a minelayer I think.

Between those two you should be able to get your fill of practice. For fun, you can watch a test of Neon Deon's Pimp My Ride submarine equipped with my Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun vs. the Convoy from Hell (http://www.filefront.com/13795863/Pimp-Subnuclear-Convoy1.wmv) in a surface battle extrordinaire. Neon Deon's sub holds the SH4 world record, sinking more than 100,000 tons in less than 10 minutes.