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Louvert
06-11-12, 09:32 AM
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Greetings All, Louvert here. I am new to the world of sub sims having spent the last decade or so flying in the war-torn skies above the Western Front. However, I decided it was time for a break from that theater while I wait for the next edition of Over Flanders Fields to be released, and since my father had wanted to serve in the Navy in WWII, (but was denied such service due to health issues), I though I would give him a tip of the hat and enlist with the submariners in SH4.

This is really quite a wonderful sim, outstanding graphics and interface, and I love the manual targeting it offers. I've just completed 16 weeks at sea to start off my first campaign, as Captain of the Tarpon, departing from Pearl on December 9th, 1941 and returning on April 4th, 1942. Refitted at Midway on the way out and back and three more times down at Surabaya while completing a variety of missions in the regions between there and Japan. Had several very close calls with some enemy destroyers, but did manage to evade them each time. Also had numerous run-ins with aircraft, and while we were nearly always able to dive before they got to us, my AA gunner had to do his job on at least three occasions. Ended the tour with a total of 87,500 tons of merchant ships to our credit, and a few medals for my crew as well as the Navy Cross for me. Just refitted at home port and after a month's leave we are ready to take to the seas again.

I should mention I am running SH4 Gold at 80% realism with contact updates left active as well as the use of the external camera, (though I've only used that once just to see what our ride looks like from the outside). It is really very exciting and challenging to hunt for those lone merchant ships, stalk them, and send them to the bottom before they have a clue we're even there. I've yet to attack a convoy, but I will do a bit of reading on how to go about that and just might give it a go on this outing.

BTW, nice digs you folks have here but ah, where's the bar? I assume new Captains buy the drinks.

Cheers!

Lou

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WernherVonTrapp
06-11-12, 10:17 AM
WELCOME TO PLEASANTVILLE?
http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/Smileys/d0bc67ee.gifhttp://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/Smileys/96065251.gifhttp://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/Smileys/f3384d3f.gif
I used to have a trailer, but have since downsized due to the
economy. Still have the tree-swing though.:D

Rockin Robbins
06-11-12, 11:06 AM
Welcome aboard, Cap. Don't get too enamored with the "realism" settings, they're just difficulty settings. Realism is in how you play, not in the game settings. All kinds of help around here. Don't get hung up on manual targeting, fuel management, torpedo placement or the like right away.

Learn your boat handling and evasion first. Evasion begins with an undetected approach as far as I'm concerned. I want to be detected by the enemy hearing and feeling (the survivors that is) one or more loud booms caused by my torpedoes. That's the best way to say "HELLO!":D

Louvert
06-11-12, 11:19 AM
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Thanks for the welcome Gents, much appreciated.

WvT, I assume that in SH4, as in most sims, (and indeed life in general), it helps to be crazy to find it's full enjoyment.

RR, I appreciate your sage advice Sir. I only noted the 'Realism' setting as that is what it is referred to in the sim. I agree completely that realism is all about how you actually go at it.

Cheers!

Lou

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McBeck
06-11-12, 01:03 PM
Welcome and enjoy your stay!

MKalafatas
06-11-12, 02:02 PM
Welcome! First patrol, using manual targeting ---- sounds like an excellent return!

I also leave map contacts on, and the external camera, and also 'stabilize view'. Don't want to be seasick at my computer. :-)

It sounds like you're playing the stock game. When you finish this career, there are some terrific player-created mods in the download section that make the game more realistic and challenging.

I think the most popular are TMO, RSRDC, and RFB. I use TMO and RSRDC together and my impression is, that is the most popular combination.

7499275
06-11-12, 05:54 PM
Welcome aboard Captain! May the torps always find the way to their target! :arrgh!:

Char
06-11-12, 06:07 PM
if anything,you might wanna get used to how the Vanilla AI acts to your Presance before stepping up to TMO or RFB,where the Escorts are Much,MUCH more effective at finding you and snuffing you out.

to some of the vets,the Stock AI is purley for LOLs anyhow.I was trained in SH3's GWX (Grey Wolves Expansion) mega mod,where if you were detected you were as good as dead.Here are some good examples

Such as Blowing Ballast,then as I break the surface ordering Crash dive to get back below the Thermal Layer.

Running full on towards another DD for the sole purpose of watching the pursuing DD Smack right into the other.

Launching Decoys and running away,only to surface to draw the DD over to me again,before going silent once again to watch him storm head long BACK to where I dropped the Decoy.

Most of us leave free cam on anyways,if for the sole purpose to relish over our recent victory.I personally leave limited fuel off,dont want to sit around all day in time compression waiting to cross the Pacific:D

Armistead
06-11-12, 07:04 PM
Welcome aboard...

If you like stock, mods will blow your mind in comparison...I say load a mod right away, no need playing a bugged unrealistic game, mods make it harder, but why not learn proper tactics from the beginning.

Louvert
06-11-12, 08:40 PM
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Thank you again Gents for the warm welcome and the very helpful advice. I imagine JGSME is the first thing to add and then continue with the various mods using that installer. What are the preferred mods to go with in order to get a more realistic sim experience? I'd like to get as close to historically correct as may be possible with this.

Cheers!

Lou

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Hylander_1314
06-12-12, 06:47 AM
Hey Louvert! Good to see you here too! Aside from CombatAce, and SimHQ.

Mr_Dirt
06-12-12, 08:24 AM
Lou is that you. I see you also found your way here for some undersea fun. This is where I go when breaking from the OFF skies. The fleetboats are my other passion from WWI planes. I can tell these other Captains we have a gentleman of the highest order with us. Lou is a fine person and has great knowledge of WWI flying. He is also a very fine writer and storyteller. Welcome aboard Lou.
Happy hunting! John

Hylander_1314
06-12-12, 09:07 AM
Lou is that you. I see you also found your way here for some undersea fun. This is where I go when breaking from the OFF skies. The fleetboats are my other passion from WWI planes. I can tell these other Captains we have a gentleman of the highest order with us. Lou is a fine person and has great knowledge of WWI flying. He is also a very fine writer and storyteller. Welcome aboard Lou.
Happy hunting! John


Hear hear!

Louvert
06-13-12, 07:31 AM
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Familiar faces! Hell-OOOOOO Hylander and John; yes, c'est moi. Thanks for the intro, but you are being far too kind to this old Camel man.

After reading up on the major mods mentioned earlier in this thread by MKalafatas, (and after last night being assigned the ridiculous task of a recce of Tokyo Harbor), I decided to download and install TMO and RSRDC and start fresh. All I can say is "WOW!". Totally new sim and much, much improved. In addition to all the outstanding new eye candy and features I was very glad to hear that Worf is now back on the Starship Enterprise, and that the radio operator has returned to Oz, ("New message received! We represent the Lollipop Guild!").

Lt Cmdr William Alberts headed out from Pearl with his new crew aboard the Pike as of this AM, (same 'Options' settings as before and campagin ticked to 'Realistic') . We shall see what awaits.

Cheers!

Lou

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Sailor Steve
06-13-12, 07:48 AM
WELCOME ABOARD! :sunny:

Realism is in how you play, not in the game settings.
Best statement on the subject ever! Stealing for sig quote. :shifty: