New to forum, looking for SH4 advice please

[MartinP]

Hello All, I'm new to posting on this forum, but have been lurking for a while picking up tips. I'm playing SH4 v1.4 Stock, have been for some time now. I'm playing on an old PC, so have the detail cranked down to lowest setting to get a good response out of it, but I won't be competing with some of the excellent screen shots on here.

I play with auto targetting and externals on, I figure I'm the Captain, and the crew should work out how to hit what I'm manoeuvring to shoot at. Despite being at the arcade end of the gaming style I am finding the relative ease with which I've got through my first 5 patrols to be dissatisfying. Although I've just been asked to go and photograph whatever is in Hiroshima harbour, so my luck may be changing.

I'd like to experience the benefits of some of the supermods, but I need some advice from your good selves. Some questions >

1) I'm worried my PC may not be able to cope with increased demands on CPU and graphics, are any likely to be problematic, or can I solve this by keeping on low detail settings?

2) I'm not sure which Mods to get, or where from, I assume there must be some sort of Mods overview thread somewhere, but I can't find it. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

3) I have v1.4 but all the Mods I have found seem to be updated for 1.5, do any 1.4 compatible Mods remain available for download, and if so where?
Will mods for 1.5 still work on 1.4 - has anyone tried doing this?

4) Which Mods would you recommend I try and get hold of?

5) I'm not sure I like the sound of RSRD as I find Stock gives me plenty to shoot at - although stock is all the same type/size/shape/pattern, so perhaps more realism on traffic would be welcome, any thoughts on this one in particular?



Any answers to any of these questions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance. :up:

[WernherVonTrapp]

Welcome to the fleet MartinP.:up:
I'll try to answer your questions and I'm sure others will be along shortly to give their thoughts.
1. In order to answer your first question, it would certainly help to know what your system specs are.

2/3/4. Directly above, you'll see a "Downloads" tab on the forum menu bar. Click on the SHIV category (after clicking DLs) and you'll find a veritable treasure trove of diownloads. Most of these DLs only work with version 1.5 so, if you have the wherewithal, it might be in your best interest to get version 1.5 (the U-Boat expansion pack). I don't know if any of them are for version 1.4 anymore but there might be a few. Mods are strictly a matter of preference so it's best to try them all and then decide for yourself. I'm currently playing TMO 2.0 along with RSRDC and love it, but I like RFB too. Both mods are more difficult (in different ways) than the stock version.

5. Stock (I think) gives you more to shoot at than all the mods. Ships seem to spawn anywhere and everywhere, sometimes the same ships over and over. In reality, many subs had to endure weeks of inaction or sometimes returned to base w/o any contacts. All the major mods as well as RSRDC address/correct this in order to balance what it was like in reality.

Good luck mate.;)

[Armistead]

Need your system specs to better advise how well the game will play for you, what settings or mods. Some mods really push the graphics to a new level.

Here's the list of 1.4 megamods that work with 1.4, but obviously 1.5 mods are current and better. 1.5 mods won't work with 1.4.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=157853&page=2

RSRD is a must mod for me. The convoys are larger, the battles perfectly scripted....wouldn't play without it.

[commandosolo2009]

First off, Welcome aboard!!! We hope you enjoy your stay and share your experiences and be part of this great community.


I play with auto targetting and externals on, I figure I'm the Captain, and the crew should work out how to hit what I'm manoeuvring to shoot at. Despite being at the arcade end of the gaming style I am finding the relative ease with which I've got through my first 5 patrols to be dissatisfying.
You my friend, need 100 % realism. Fuel conscience, eels failing after so much time working solution and planning, contacts out of nowhere, and ultimately no ideas where depth charges are coming from, certainly works wonders. The whole point and shoot system is for rookies, (which I used to be) then it really got exciting with 100% realism.


1) I'm worried my PC may not be able to cope with increased demands on CPU and graphics, are any likely to be problematic, or can I solve this by keeping on low detail settings?Well, in answer to this, it largely depends on trial and error. You should install JSGME first, make a backup of the game, and take a snapschott of game files with JSGME. That way, if things go south, you are safe. Also, backup your registry.

2) I'm not sure which Mods to get, or where from, I assume there must be some sort of Mods overview thread somewhere, but I can't find it. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

What you're looking for is the DOWNLOADS section. look above this page onto tabs, click the Now Open! Downloads section. It has all the mods for SH3 thru SH5. Discussions for mods are often included as links inside each respective mod download page, as well as the SH4 Fleet Boat Mods Workshop sub-forum related to this Mod. There, you can post [REQ]uests, find new [REL]eases, and also find [TEC]hnical help on various aspects of the sim.

3) I have v1.4 but all the Mods I have found seem to be updated for 1.5, do any 1.4 compatible Mods remain available for download, and if so where?
Will mods for 1.5 still work on 1.4 - has anyone tried doing this?

Usually, the mods require update to Gold, but Modders include plenty of info about requirements, and problems if any. Again, its up to you to read the file info before actually embarking on downloading it.

4) Which Mods would you recommend I try and get hold of?

Well, lots of good mods out there, you just have to try and see which fits you. Do note, however, that some mods may conflict with others, and Modders also include these conflicting mods in the disclaimer. From my view, TMO is the best. I havent tried others, like RFB mod, RSRD mod, but you're free to try each as you please.

5) I'm not sure I like the sound of RSRD as I find Stock gives me plenty to shoot at - although stock is all the same type/size/shape/pattern, so perhaps more realism on traffic would be welcome, any thoughts on this one in particular?

Well, TMO focuses more on interface amenities, and has less traffic to be found, only my humble opinion. I think some might disagree with me, but, to each his own.

Hit me up if you need help with something. CS2K9

[Gerald]

:salute: you have come to the right place, for help with what you need for your future gaming!

[MartinP]

Many Thanks to all of you who took the time to reply. :salute:

Reading your thoughts and browsing the downloads section I think I'll have a go at TMO first, and see how me and my PC can bear up under the strain. But I'd like to try and finish of my current stock campaign first as I assume it won't be compatible with any Mods. Armistead, thanks for the link to 1.4 mods, that's saved me a lot of time.

In my defence I'm not a total arcade player, I think my realism is at about 60 ish %, I have my fair share of dud torpedoes and conserve my diesel and batteries.

My creaking PC specs are:

AMD Athlon XP 2800+
1GB RAM
Nvidia GE 6200
75GB HDD

Thanks again for your help
Martin

[commandosolo2009]

Just one thing. Seriously consider RAM upgrade. Not to lower your high hopes, but it used to stagger on my old intel 2.8, with 1.5 gigs of RAM.

Alas, I wish you happy gaming and hunting. Cheers

[WernherVonTrapp]

My creaking PC specs are:

AMD Athlon XP 2800+
1GB RAM
Nvidia GE 6200
75GB HDD

Thanks again for your help
MartinYeah, like commandosolo says, you really might want to consider a RAM upgrade, like about 3 more GB. Also, your GForce6200 is a much much older model and will, more than likely, have some problems. You can get a good GForce9600 for a steal these days, RAM too. Your CPU is definitely up to the task but your RAM and GPU are too little and outdated, respectively.
Just a point for clarity, your HD is 750GB right? That's (hopefully) a "75"GB typo.