SH4: Too stupid for rescue missions...

[Kaleun_Saxi]

Ahoy,


after zillions of careers in SH3 I recently started SH4 (vanilla version) and am stuck with my first pilot rescue mission. I am close to the Solomons and can see some pilots through UZO but the button for the rescue is always grey. I can't lock the targets in the UZO apparently. Do I need to zoom in or out? My UZO is at x7 but my mousewheel seems not to be working, as I can't zoom in or out.
What am I doing wrong? Oh and I tried to browse this forum before posting this question, I swear! :salute:

[propbeanie]

I find it easier to use the browser's "Search" engine, and use a term like "site:subsim.com/radioroom rescue pilot" to find things. As for the "technique technique!!!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNOkS_bfFo8


When you approach the "survivors" come in bow-on as much as you can, the closer to zero relative you are, the less bobbing your boat does. Don't run them over though... They do "Bob" back to the surface though - usually... This angle makes it easier for you to "target" the survivor for pick-up. Secondly, you have to get in close, like 500 yards or less. Third, make certain you are on the full Bridge view with the life-saver icon visible, which it sounds like you are since you using the UZO. Of which, that is the main problem most likely. Use the binoculars. When at a normal view on the Bridge, use the zoom to enable the binoculars, which is usually the <Tab> key, or the mouse wheel roll. Once you get that view, let the binocular view "roll" over the pilot in the water, and press that life-saver icon when the crosshair in the binocular goes from yellow to red. The game (and the human) can be a bit slow in reacting at times, so you might have to click several times. :salute:

[KaleunMarco]

Ahoy,


after zillions of careers in SH3 I recently started SH4 (vanilla version) and am stuck with my first pilot rescue mission. I am close to the Solomons and can see some pilots through UZO but the button for the rescue is always grey. I can't lock the targets in the UZO apparently. Do I need to zoom in or out? My UZO is at x7 but my mousewheel seems not to be working, as I can't zoom in or out.
What am I doing wrong? Oh and I tried to browse this forum before posting this question, I swear! :salute:

hey saxi,

rescuing "surviviors" can be tedious. it is the least favorite mission of SH4, IMHO.


get close to the red/pink dyed water as quickly as possible because survivors only "survive" for a fixed period of time.
slow down such that when you get to 300-350 meters of the survivor your speed is down to 2-3 kts.
have the BINOCULAR menu items displayed (toolbar on the bottom of the screen).
go to the Binocular view on the screen and zoom in as close as you can get.
your survivor will be at either end of the dyed water. he will be bobbing up and down as if he is standing in the water.
this last part is the trickiest. you need to use the binoculars to put the crosshairs on the survivor such that they change color (white to red, i think). while the cross-hairs are red, click on the life preserver in the menu bar. my habit is to click more than once simply because it is very frustrating (similar to when you call an elevator and it does not arrive quickly...you keep pressing the call button).
when SH4 accepts your click, the red dye will vanish and you will get a message in the message box stating that the survivor is aboard. (i forget the exact message but you will get one).


then, take a deep breath and go get the next survivor. you will need five successful pickups to get a completed objective.
keep at it and you will get the hang of it.
this mission drive me batty.

Viel Glück, Herr Kaleun!

km

[Kaleun_Saxi]

Thanks for your help, I did finally manage it after learning the difference between binoculars (Tab-key) and the TBT/UZO (U-Key). Yikes... Rescued the first pilot already. Seems to be Lt. Don French vom VMF-214 Black Sheep. :haha:

[KaleunMarco]

Thanks for your help, I did finally manage it after learning the difference between binoculars (Tab-key) and the TBT/UZO (U-Key). Yikes... Rescued the first pilot already. Seems to be Lt. Don French vom VMF-214 Black Sheep. :haha:

that's pretty funny.
hopefully you won't get into a card game and then a fist fight with Lt. French's commanding officer when you return him to his unit.:har:

:Kaleun_Salute:

[jimmbbo]

IMO the rescue missions are at best an aggravation, as I have charged all over the rescue zone chasing downed pilot icons and pink smoke plumes. I have managed to rescue 10-12 aviators and have yet to get a "mission completed" after investing a LOT of time... Adding to the frustration is that I am unable to determine how many rescues I have made, and keep putting pilots below endlessly till I decide to abandon the mission.

[KaleunMarco]

IMO the rescue missions are at best an aggravation, as I have charged all over the rescue zone chasing downed pilot icons and pink smoke plumes. I have managed to rescue 10-12 aviators and have yet to get a "mission completed" after investing a LOT of time... Adding to the frustration is that I am unable to determine how many rescues I have made, and keep putting pilots below endlessly till I decide to abandon the mission.

you should only need 5 rescues for a objective-accomplished.
i think...you are not completing some of the rescues. an actual rescue will have a survivor rescued message in the commands message box. if you don't get that, you didn't do whatever has to be done to effect a rescue. i'm not yelling or preaching....just sharing some of the frustration i have experienced with these objectives.

[jimmbbo]

you should only need 5 rescues for a objective-accomplished.
i think...you are not completing some of the rescues. an actual rescue will have a survivor rescued message in the commands message box. if you don't get that, you didn't do whatever has to be done to effect a rescue. i'm not yelling or preaching....just sharing some of the frustration i have experienced with these objectives.
Thanks... I get visual feedback for successful rescues (IIRC the aviator disappears when clicked and the life ring icon goes dark[?]), but seem to be stuck in "pilot rescue hell" after completing more than five rescues... I don't recall getting a "mission completed" on a rescue mission after madly dashing hundreds of miles at flank speed chasing icons and pink smoke, despite apparently successful rescues...

It would be a plus to have some way to check the number of rescued pilots, as after putting 8-10 soaked aviators on board, I'm ready to send some more tonnage to the bottom. To remove the aggravation of those missions I have taken to ignoring rescue missions to further that goal :D
:Kaleun_Salute:

[Kaleun_Saxi]

Hey fellow commanders,


I got another question. I was assigned the newly build USS Balao in early 1943 and started my trip in Brisbane. I managed to fullfill six missions during the trip but when I come back to Brisbane I can't finish the trip. Docking in Brisbane is not an active option. I just can refill or skip any actions. What's the reason for this? Do I need to get back to Pearl Harbor? I noticed on my map that the anchor in Pearl Harbor is slightly bigger than all the other ones. Or do I need to complete more missions/tasks during this operation? :doh:

[Moonlight]

Look on the nav map for a tilted anchor, that's your home port.

[Kaleun_Saxi]

Look on the nav map for a tilted anchor, that's your home port.
There is none and in all my missions there never was one. I always came back to Pearl Harbor so far. I must be running an older version of the game I guess.

[KaleunMarco]

Hey fellow commanders,


I got another question. I was assigned the newly build USS Balao in early 1943 and started my trip in Brisbane. I managed to fullfill six missions during the trip but when I come back to Brisbane I can't finish the trip. Docking in Brisbane is not an active option. I just can refill or skip any actions. What's the reason for this? Do I need to get back to Pearl Harbor? I noticed on my map that the anchor in Pearl Harbor is slightly bigger than all the other ones. Or do I need to complete more missions/tasks during this operation? :doh:

so....which is your "home" base: Pearl or Brisbane?
"Home" will have a tilted, fouled anchor as an icon.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNavy-Fouled-Anchor-Lapel-1-25%2Fdp%2FB01LZ34LQB&psig=AOvVaw33XJ7p61ZRdru7B6em0tey&ust=1609544396116000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCNjilaGy-e0CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI

:Kaleun_Salute:

[1Patriotofmany]

Can I capture enemy flyers the same way? Any reward if they don't shoot themselves in the water?

[KaleunMarco]

Can I capture enemy flyers the same way? Any reward if they don't shoot themselves in the water?

negative on capturing IJN survivors. :hmmm:
:haha:
:Kaleun_Salute:

[Kaleun_Saxi]

so....which is your "home" base: Pearl or Brisbane?
"Home" will have a tilted, fouled anchor as an icon.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNavy-Fouled-Anchor-Lapel-1-25%2Fdp%2FB01LZ34LQB&psig=AOvVaw33XJ7p61ZRdru7B6em0tey&ust=1609544396116000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCNjilaGy-e0CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI

:Kaleun_Salute:


As I mentioned before, none of the anchors is tilted on my map. :o

[Moonlight]

If you are playing the vanilla game you will have a blue tilted anchor just like the one I've posted. Post an image that contains the ports of Brisbane and Pearl Harbour for confirmation please, be aware that SH4 vanilla can be a bit odd sometimes. :haha:

https://i.postimg.cc/4y0KhxLG/blue-tilted-anchor.jpg (https://postimg.cc/ctQ1p0Gk)

[Kaleun_Saxi]

If you are playing the vanilla game you will have a blue tilted anchor just like the one I've posted. Post an image that contains the ports of Brisbane and Pearl Harbour for confirmation please, be aware that SH4 vanilla can be a bit odd sometimes. :haha:

https://i.postimg.cc/4y0KhxLG/blue-tilted-anchor.jpg (https://postimg.cc/ctQ1p0Gk)


I will try again on Sunday. I can't insert graphics into a message. It always says "message to short, type at least three characters". I had more than three characters plus the graphic, but it won't work. Damn.
But I can assure you I am not having any tilted anchors of any kind in vanilla SH4 V1.3.

[KaleunMarco]

As I mentioned before, none of the anchors is tilted on my map. :o

you're right...my bad. English is my first language so please forgive me.:har:

so, you're based in Brisbane and you were upgraded to a Balao in Early 1943.
you departed Brisbane, had a successful patrol, but now you have no home base.

it could be that you were assigned the Balao too early. Yes, SH4 can and will do that.

Try this:

reload the Autosave from the date/time of your departure from Brisbane.
you will be in-port. make note of the date of your departure from the Mission Start screen.
go ahead and start the mission. when the game begins, go to the Navigation Map.
Notice the anchor representing Brisbane. was it a tilted fouled anchor when you began? If not, then let us know the date/time and you can stop with the rest of this list.
Move in any direction and any speed you wish for short time.
Keep watching the Brisbane icon as you use some Time Compression such that the game will pass Midnight.
you can probably ring up All Stop as you just needed to move out of range of the port.
Continue to use TC in order to pass the time while you monitor the Brisbane icon.
if it changes from a tilted fouled anchor to a vertical anchor, make note of the date/time.
let us know of the results.


KM
:Kaleun_Salute:

[mikesn9]

I will try again on Sunday. I can't insert graphics into a message. It always says "message to short, type at least three characters". I had more than three characters plus the graphic, but it won't work. Damn.
But I can assure you I am not having any tilted anchors of any kind in vanilla SH4 V1.3.


There is 'patch' or mod to upgrade vanilla SH4 1.3 to 1.4
When I first started playing there were messages to upgrade your UN-PLAYED V1.3 to V1.4.
The information was basically saying !.3 won't work too well.
Anybody else remember more about this?

[Moonlight]

^I remember reading about it somewhere but I don't remember the details.

As for the SH4 1.4 patch it can be downloaded from the link below, you have to uninstall the game first, then re-install the game and finally apply the patch. Apparently if you don't do the above the patch wont work, I'd make sure that SH4 has been deleted from the documents folder just to be doubly sure that its gone.

https://www.fileplanet.com/archive/p-36888/Silent-Hunter-4-Wolves-of-the-Pacific-v1-4-Patch

The following text is from the SH4 1.4 game patches link on the Subsim Download page, I tested the link but it didn't work, that's why I posted the fileplanet link to save anyone from wasting their time with it. :up:

1. Uninstall SH4, then reinstall SH4. Do not play the game until applying the v1.4 patch.
2. Run v1.4 patch installation file.
3. Follow the instructions.

v1.4 Changes:
Rendering distance increased to 20km, with appropriate improvement for visual sensors capabilities
Dynamic loading of game units has been implemented, considerably improving loading times
Improvements to Water rendering
Improvements for enemy ships detection of steam torpedoes
Damage taken by hulls submarine is shown in the damage interface
Entries in Captain�s Log are now limited for better performance
Screenshot names now contain the date they were taken on
End patrol ports are now displayed on the map
Objectives on the navigation now change color when completed
Fixes:
Destroyer/Submarine collisions always leading to the destroyer being sunk
Fix the periscope animation problem
Save & Load issues with the submarine crew
Magnetic/Contact Detonator switch now working properly
Improper display of the TBT interface for widescreen resolutions
Loss of torpedo aiming track when crossing the International Date Line
Deck gun Metric/Imperial system issues
Repeating objectives bug
Correct date when loading a save from career

[mikesn9]

^I remember reading about it somewhere but I don't remember the details.

As for the SH4 1.4 patch it can be downloaded from the link below, you have to uninstall the game first, then re-install the game and finally apply the patch. Apparently if you don't do the above the patch wont work, I'd make sure that SH4 has been deleted from the documents folder just to be doubly sure that its gone.

https://www.fileplanet.com/archive/p-36888/Silent-Hunter-4-Wolves-of-the-Pacific-v1-4-Patch

The following text is from the SH4 1.4 game patches link on the Subsim Download page, I tested the link but it didn't work, that's why I posted the fileplanet link to save anyone from wasting their time with it. :up:

1. Uninstall SH4, then reinstall SH4. Do not play the game until applying the v1.4 patch.
2. Run v1.4 patch installation file.
3. Follow the instructions.

v1.4 Changes:
Rendering distance increased to 20km, with appropriate improvement for visual sensors capabilities
Dynamic loading of game units has been implemented, considerably improving loading times
Improvements to Water rendering
Improvements for enemy ships detection of steam torpedoes
Damage taken by hulls submarine is shown in the damage interface
Entries in Captain�s Log are now limited for better performance
Screenshot names now contain the date they were taken on
End patrol ports are now displayed on the map
Objectives on the navigation now change color when completed
Fixes:
Destroyer/Submarine collisions always leading to the destroyer being sunk
Fix the periscope animation problem
Save & Load issues with the submarine crew
Magnetic/Contact Detonator switch now working properly
Improper display of the TBT interface for widescreen resolutions
Loss of torpedo aiming track when crossing the International Date Line
Deck gun Metric/Imperial system issues
Repeating objectives bug
Correct date when loading a save from career


In the orange type: There's Saxi's problem fix, I believe

[Kaleun_Saxi]

In the orange type: There's Saxi's problem fix, I believe


Yes, that seems to fix my problem. I might try this later tonight.



But what I actually like about SH4 V1.3 is this:

Destroyer/Submarine collisions always leading to the destroyer being sunk

Often my torpedoes hit the bow of an approaching destroyer and they won't sink. I just need to cross their way to make them sink. It's funny and it's sad they fixed it in SH4 V1.4.

[Kaleun_Saxi]

you're right...my bad. English is my first language so please forgive me.:har:

so, you're based in Brisbane and you were upgraded to a Balao in Early 1943.
you departed Brisbane, had a successful patrol, but now you have no home base.

it could be that you were assigned the Balao too early. Yes, SH4 can and will do that.

Try this:

reload the Autosave from the date/time of your departure from Brisbane.
you will be in-port. make note of the date of your departure from the Mission Start screen.
go ahead and start the mission. when the game begins, go to the Navigation Map.
Notice the anchor representing Brisbane. was it a tilted fouled anchor when you began? If not, then let us know the date/time and you can stop with the rest of this list.
Move in any direction and any speed you wish for short time.
Keep watching the Brisbane icon as you use some Time Compression such that the game will pass Midnight.
you can probably ring up All Stop as you just needed to move out of range of the port.
Continue to use TC in order to pass the time while you monitor the Brisbane icon.
if it changes from a tilted fouled anchor to a vertical anchor, make note of the date/time.
let us know of the results.


KM
:Kaleun_Salute:

Jawohl Herr Kapitän!

Try this:

reload the Autosave from the date/time of your departure from Brisbane.
YES SIR, ACCOMPLISHED
you will be in-port. make note of the date of your departure from the Mission Start screen.
YES SIR, 03/28/1943
go ahead and start the mission. when the game begins, go to the Navigation Map.
YES SIR, ACCOMPLISHED
Notice the anchor representing Brisbane. was it a tilted fouled anchor when you began? If not, then let us know the date/time and you can stop with the rest of this list.
YES SIR, NO TILTED ANCHOR ANYWHERE ON SCREEN. 03/28/1943 00:40 am.
Move in any direction and any speed you wish for short time.
Keep watching the Brisbane icon as you use some Time Compression such that the game will pass Midnight.
you can probably ring up All Stop as you just needed to move out of range of the port.
Continue to use TC in order to pass the time while you monitor the Brisbane icon.
if it changes from a tilted fouled anchor to a vertical anchor, make note of the date/time.
let us know of the results.



So there is no tilted anchor when I started the mission and when I click on the green anchor symbol top right of screen I can already not end the mission.


I started a new career and already on the first mission I notice no tilted anchor, but when I re-enter my home port I can end the mission.

I guess I will deinstall the game and install it again with V1.4.

[KaleunMarco]

Jawohl Herr Kapitän!

So there is no tilted anchor when I started the mission and when I click on the green anchor symbol top right of screen I can already not end the mission.


I started a new career and already on the first mission I notice no tilted anchor, but when I re-enter my home port I can end the mission.

I guess I will deinstall the game and install it again with V1.4.

yeah, i should probably have asked that question previously but i am so used to 1.5 UBM that i think everyone who posts is using it.
after reading a previous reply from someone who is familiar with the older versions of SH4, it dawned on me that it was probably a version issue.
my apologies, Herr Kaleun.
i hope the 1.4 rebuild/upgrade works for you. (keep an eye out for a deal on 1.5 UBM...then you can play Dark Waters:D)

:Kaleun_Salute:

[Kaleun_Saxi]

yeah, i should probably have asked that question previously but i am so used to 1.5 UBM that i think everyone who posts is using it.
after reading a previous reply from someone who is familiar with the older versions of SH4, it dawned on me that it was probably a version issue.
my apologies, Herr Kaleun.
i hope the 1.4 rebuild/upgrade works for you. (keep an eye out for a deal on 1.5 UBM...then you can play Dark Waters:D)

:Kaleun_Salute:


Yes 1.4 works fine so far. :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

What is 1.5 UBM?

[Mad Mardigan]

Yes 1.4 works fine so far. :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

What is 1.5 UBM?

SH4 v1.4 is just the U.S. Fleet boat game. v1.5 of it is where Ubi crafted... a DLC if you will, of the Uboat saga of their poking into the Pacific... during WW2.

Most of the (current ones, that is..) mega mods rely on you having v1.5 & will NOT work if you have the v1.4 of SH4...

The only source of having access to both versions is, of course, through Steam... that I know of... at any rate. Last I know of, Ubi did away with SH4 v1.4 & only shows SH4 v1.5... calls it, the ''Gold Edition''...

Hope this info helps.

[KaleunMarco]

Yes 1.4 works fine so far. :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

What is 1.5 UBM?

UBM= Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific Gold Edition with Uboat Missions. This is the last version of SH4 actually distributed by Ubi.

we typically use the shorthand of SH4 1.5 UBM or just 1.5 UBM.

it is the version that most of the Mega-Mods have been designed for.

:Kaleun_Salute:

[Kaleun_Saxi]

UBM= Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific Gold Edition with Uboat Missions. This is the last version of SH4 actually distributed by Ubi.

we typically use the shorthand of SH4 1.5 UBM or just 1.5 UBM.

it is the version that most of the Mega-Mods have been designed for.

:Kaleun_Salute:


Thank you sir! I will check if this version is available in Germany as well. I recently found a DVD-ROM with SH 3 to 5 on it. For approx 9$. Maybe version 1.5 is on it so I'll grab it. Plus I never played SH5. But I doubt it will run smoothly on my old gaming PC.

[KaleunMarco]

Thank you sir! I will check if this version is available in Germany as well. I recently found a DVD-ROM with SH 3 to 5 on it. For approx 9$. Maybe version 1.5 is on it so I'll grab it. Plus I never played SH5. But I doubt it will run smoothly on my old gaming PC.

if you can score 3, 4 (UBM) and 5 for $9, grab it.:Kaleun_Applaud:

[Kaleun_Saxi]

if you can score 3, 4 (UBM) and 5 for $9, grab it.:Kaleun_Applaud:
So I grabbed the mentioned DVD Box with SH 3 to 5. SH4 is Version 1.2, so it's of no value as I already got the deluxe box of SH4. But so far version 1.4 runs smoothly and I always know my home port. :03:

Unfortunately I can't get SH5 to run. When I start the exe file the game updater (gu.exe) starts but can't get connection to the update server. The game stops and get's back to desktop. Can I switch that off? The FireWall has SH5 listed in the Exceptions, so that SHOULD be no problem (running Win XP).

[KaleunMarco]

So I grabbed the mentioned DVD Box with SH 3 to 5. SH4 is Version 1.2, so it's of no value as I already got the deluxe box of SH4. But so far version 1.4 runs smoothly and I always know my home port. :03:

Unfortunately I can't get SH5 to run. When I start the exe file the game updater (gu.exe) starts but can't get connection to the update server. The game stops and get's back to desktop. Can I switch that off? The FireWall has SH5 listed in the Exceptions, so that SHOULD be no problem (running Win XP).

it's a shame that someone is STILL selling SH4 1.2. sinful. they should be metaphorically shot. as i indicated in my previous email, i thought the offer was SH4 1.5 UBM. :wah::wah::wah:

i am no expert with SH5 however XP should not be the problem. i know that the user MUST have an active internet connection and MUST use UPlay to play the game.

i messed with this a few years ago because i bought 3-4-5 in close order and thought i would give it shot, however i developed an instant dislike for the game. while the graphics are dramatically better than SH4 1.5 the game play was all first person. THAT coupled with the must-use-an-internet-tracking-program were enough for me to de-install the entire mess.

you might want to take your SH5 questions to the SH5 forum. You are in an SH4 forum. there is some cross-pollination but you will probably be better off posing SH5 questions there than here.
https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=249

good luck, Herr Kaleun!
:Kaleun_Salute: