"New" to SH4, need quick 'n dirty mod advise!

[Nippelspanner]

Gentlemen,
I want to give SH4 another shot since SH5 is, to me, a complete disaster, even with mods and SH3 is simply too outdated.
I'd like to know what (super) mod is the most current/complete, best working/reliable and authentic one, since downloading and testing them all would simply take me too long.

On top, I'd also like to know the same for the German side, so U-Boats.
Is Operation Monsun still the only option?
Last time I had something to do with SH4 was... years ago, which is why I rather ask those with experience to save myself some time and energy. :up:

Regards!

[CCIP]

There's always a few options! It's hard to recommend just one, especially because "realism" depends as much on how you play the game as on the mod you're playing.

For the Pacific campaign, your most notable megamod options are:

RFB (Real Fleet Boat) - the accuracy-minded mod, most suitable for a disciplined player who follows house rules and behaves realistically. Models systems and opponents as faithfully as possible, including the horrid torpedo performance early in the war - as well as Japanese deficiency at ASW. Highly recommended to install together with RFB is RSRDC (see below).

TMO (Trigger Maru Overhaul) - the difficulty-oriented mod, most suitable for an experienced SH player who wants the game to be challenging. Models everything quite reasonably and has some nice graphical touches (e.g. more crew in interiors, better modeling of stations) and systems (e.g. a more functional radar). Makes some compromises towards gameplay and challenge (e.g. more forgiving early-war torpedo performance, but MUCH harder escorts and very dangerous/annoying airplanes). Has its own complete set of totally revised campaign files, meant to make life both more interesting, realistic, and difficult for the player.

Both RFB and TMO are also compatible with RSRDC (Run Silent, Run Deep Campaign) by Lurker, which is a highly recommended campaign mod that you install on top of those mods (make sure you have the correct version for TMO or RFB). RSRDC is a set of campaign traffic files which reproduces the entire Japanese TROM (Tabular Record of Movements) for the war, meaning that its convoys, task forces, and even most single merchants are based on actual known movements of ships. Definitely recommended with RFB; also recommended with TMO (though it tends to make TMO escorts slightly easier and contacts slightly harder to find, and gets rid of some of the more varied missions TMO offers).

Finally, there is also FOTRS (Fall of the Rising Sun), a mod pack based on TMO which makes its own changes, adds new units and graphics mods, and increases the number of convoys and other contacts. It's generally much easier and is a good match for someone who wants to just get out there and sink ships.

And if you want a stock experience, there is GFO (Game Fixes Only), which is basically an unofficial patch, which only has enough changes to fix up things that are broken or missing as of Patch 1.5, but does not change gameplay otherwise.

As for the Atlantic, yep, Operation Monsun is your only option. On the other hand, Lurker has done such an excellent job with it that I honestly don't think one could do much better without a massive team effort. As with RSRDC, it has by far the best-research campaign traffic model of any SH version. Make sure to get both OM and its graphics/environment component OMEGU.

[Nippelspanner]

Wow, that's the detailed and in-depth answer I was looking for, 10/10!
I'll definitely check out RFB with RSRD and also Op Monsun.

Thanks a lot CCIP! :up:

[Scarredclown]

Yep very good answer. I was searching for something like that for quite a while ! Thanks !

[Torplexed]

Operation Monsun has one nice thing going for it in contrast to SH3.

No seemingly endless storms bug. At least that got fixed in SH4.

[Scarredclown]

I play with just RFB, i want to add RSRDC . Can i do it when i'm back at the base in the office or do i have to start a new career ?

[Torplexed]

I play with just RFB, i want to add RSRDC . Can i do it when i'm back at the base in the office or do i have to start a new career ?

My guess is that with a major mod like that you'll likely have to start a new career.

[donaldEpott]

Is there a Version of TMO and RSRD made for Version 1.4 I dont plan to update to 1.5 Also I am looking for a mod that makes the boat pitch more in heavy seas but cant seem to find it. I need one that works with 1.4 I also have RFB 1.4 installed.

[Aktungbby]

donaldEpott!:Kaleun_Salute:

[Jimbuna]

Welcome to SubSim donald :sunny: