New Captain Looking for Answers

[Captain Huxley]

So first off this is a introduction.

Captain Huxley here retired now old Silent Service. 688 and Red Storm Rising player in my youth and now with more time on my hands I have just picked up and a great price SH3, SH4 with its DLC and Cold Waters. Being a Silent Service nut I am opting to start with SH4 in the pacific with US boats.

Got the game running on my 60" Flat Screen ok at a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a 16:9 ration thank goodness do to a post found here on this forum and now I am registered and looking for some simple mods to enhanced plotting and various map tools and maybe UI changes that are clearer.

Not so much looking for overhauls yet as I want to get used to the basic game but will take any decent map tools or UI improvements that make in easier for my old eyes or give me more information like setting the speed by individual knots versus 1/3 2/3 ECT basically quality of life changed for now.

Looking forward to getting to know the community and to will also join the Discord as well

[ReallyDedPoet]

Welcome to SUBSIM :up: Someone will be along to assist with this :yep:

[1Patriotofmany]

Setting the speed by knots, click on the panel under the "speedometer"/telegraph or whatever the proper name is.

[KaleunMarco]

Not so much looking for overhauls yet as I want to get used to the basic game but will take any decent map tools or UI improvements that make in easier for my old eyes or give me more information like setting the speed by individual knots versus 1/3 2/3 ECT basically quality of life changed for now.

Looking forward to getting to know the community and to will also join the Discord as well

well, Cap Huxley, welcome.

there are two forums for SH4 players,
Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific
and
SH4 Mods Workshop

each of those forums has dozens of threads.

i suggest looking through the threads that are "sticky" as they will contain the most wisdom for a newbie.

if you find that the search engine here a bit unsat, perform a browser search using this as a prefix:
site:https://www.subsim.com/radioroom
....followed by a space and the keywords you wish to search for. you may have more success that way.

other than that, i would suggest that you research Large Address Aware and JSGME.
the first is a memory access tool that allows SH4 to use up to 4 gig of your computer's RAM. without it, i believe that it uses something less than 2 gig. this tool will make all the difference in the world, especially when you begin to play with the mega-mods that are available.
the second is the tool that you will use to install/deinstall mods and mega-mods. the whole name is Jonesoft Generic Mod Enabler.
both are available in the MODS forum here at Subsim.

and of course, you should read the FAQs and Rules, just to understand that we have manners here. :D

and then go sink some ships and have fun.

:Kaleun_Cheers:

[Captain Huxley]

Setting the speed by knots, click on the panel under the "speedometer"/telegraph or whatever the proper name is.

Wow thanks so much for that. I never put the mouse pointer there and never seen it mentioned in the manual or anywhere before so awesome no mod needed, though I will be looking forward to adding the best mods soon especially for the graphics quality improvements just finishing my 4 patrol on my first career and I am getting ready to start over and go with a manual TDC over auto doing well so far with the plotting intercepts and all that.

I guess the skills I learn back in the nineties came back to me real quick even after nearly 40 years LOL

[Captain Huxley]

well, Cap Huxley, welcome.:

Thanks for the Welcome and all the following info

there are two forums for SH4 players,
Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific
and
SH4 Mods Workshop

each of those forums has dozens of threads.

i suggest looking through the threads that are "sticky" as they will contain the most wisdom for a newbie.

Getting used to the forums seems like its been a decade since I used one LOL

if you find that the search engine here a bit unsat, perform a browser search using this as a prefix:
site:https://www.subsim.com/radioroom
....followed by a space and the keywords you wish to search for. you may have more success that way.

Yeah I do tend to Google and then it brings me here.


other than that, i would suggest that you research Large Address Aware and JSGME.
the first is a memory access tool that allows SH4 to use up to 4 gig of your computer's RAM. without it, i believe that it uses something less than 2 gig. this tool will make all the difference in the world, especially when you begin to play with the mega-mods that are available.
the second is the tool that you will use to install/deinstall mods and mega-mods. the whole name is Jonesoft Generic Mod Enabler.
both are available in the MODS forum here at Subsim.

Those two were the first on my list one for the extra memory and of course the other to just install mods. I just got my copy off steam for SH4 with the Wolfpack add on but is there any kind of community patch that fixes any lasting bugs. I dealt with the time compression bug but found the post that express never to overwrite a save and that seems to have taken care of it but beyond graphics looking better I love to clear out known bugs and any awesome tools folks can suggest.

and of course, you should read the FAQs and Rules, just to understand that we have manners here. :D

and then go sink some ships and have fun.

At the level I am playing now the sinking is taken place rapidly just had a 36,000 ton patrol so I will be starting a new career very soon and going manual TDC as well as upping the difficulty I think I ready now. Again much appreciated your response. :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

[Aktungbby]

Captain Huxley!:Kaleun_Salute:

[JapLance]

but is there any kind of community patch that fixes any lasting bugs.

First mod you should install if you want to use a vanilla game is Game Fixes Only by Webster (https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=151796&highlight=game+fixes+only). It compiles a myriad of small mods made by Webster himself and some other people to try to "fix" some of the many bugs the game has in stock format.

[Captain Huxley]

First mod you should install if you want to use a vanilla game is Game Fixes Only by Webster (https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=151796&highlight=game+fixes+only). It compiles a myriad of small mods made by Webster himself and some other people to try to "fix" some of the many bugs the game has in stock format.

This is great Japlance thank you so much. Will get to installing this one right after getting JSGME installed and setup.

As I posted earlier I have already started using the SH4 Widescreen Mod which replaces the SH4.exe and a file Camerabehavior.act Does anyone know of any conflicts up front with GFO or any other mods on the forum?

[1Patriotofmany]

Anytime Sir, and welcome aboard! And feel free to ask anything here, we were all swabbies once and there's a bunch of guys including the ones in this thread that taught me a lot even though I've been playing SH3/Sh4 since they came out..
I'll dig up my step by step for using many mods independently of each other later. Takes more space but you can play any mod you want to play at anytime without interfering with other mod campaigns.
BTW if you don't have wolves of the pacific( the SH4 1.5 Version), i highly recommend you spring for it. Most of the better mods are made for V1.5


Here's how I run multiple SH4 mods on my computer with a steam installation YMMV:
Here's how I do it on both 7 and now win10 1. Install wolves of the pacific and the uboat missions from steam in Steamlibrary folder(Not the default C:windows programs!) or install on another drive other than C:
2. NEVER TOUCH THE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION AGAIN!!!!!
3. Copy everything from your steamfolder>steamapps>common>Silent Hunter wolves of the Pacific file.
4. Paste all to a new folder named for the mod you are going to install( I use a different drive than C: for the new folder since my C: is fairly small)
5. Put JSGME in the new folder and run it, it will put a subfolder called mods in your folder you pasted everything into
6. Put Large Address Aware in your new folder you pasted everything into and run it, make sure it's pointing to the SH4.exe in your new folder and not the original install.
7. Put Multish4 v 1.5 in the folder you pasted everything into, run it and use three letters, like for Fall of the rising sun, I use FOR. (this keeps saves seperate from other saves. The default save is SH4 in documents folder, you don't want different mods going to the same save folder) Make sure it's pointed to the sh4.exe in your new folder and not the original install
8. Download which ever mod you want for the new named folder into that folder not the original install, follow the mods instructions!
9. Run JSGME and activate the mod.
10. Make a shortcut from your SH4.exe in the folder you pasted everything into and rename it for the mod.


Do all the above from 3. on down for every mod you want to install using the original install which remains untouched as the template . I keep separate folders for every mod I have, there's only one or two I have any crashes and it's probably because I missed something during the install of the mod. The reason not to ever touch the original install is if you mess up the installation of a mod, you just wipe the new folder you created and the corresponding save in the documents folder rather than have to wipe everything, and download the original steam installation! A lesson I learned numerous times and numerous redownloading and installing!!!!!!! DOOOOOOOH.


I have OM Darkwaters,FOTRS,We Dive at Dawn,TMO, TMOwTW, Berbster, IJN Jyunsen B mod, OM Itailian campaign 2.0 and a couple other mods. Of those I have trouble with maybe 3 occasionally. Key for me was don't install original install in the default location, make new folders for every mod using the untouched original install as a copy and paste. Yes the method I chose uses up more space than just plunking every new mod into the mod folder but I seem to have less problems and I just click on the shortcut to play another mod. Hope this helps, Most of what I learned was from the old salts here and with a little trial and error, okay a lot of trial and error and a lot of completely start overs until I realized, never touch the original install!. wooo that was a long post.

[Captain Huxley]

Well Good Sir all sound good advice and will do as you suggest with the multiple copies to try out the different mods out there 1 at a time of course.

As I see it the core mods I need in every incarnation will be the widescreen mod for my higher resolutions and the 16:9 aspect ration and of course LAA all this managed by JSGME.

After that I will be looking forward using your method to trying out all the other overhauls to see which I fancy the most.

Going to take it slow but just ended my first War Campaign in mid 42 as I need to bump up the difficulty on patrol 5 I sunk over 48,000 tons need to go to manual TDC now and put it on normal difficulty as well as choose my first Overhaul will probably go with

THEBERBSTERS All In One Beginners Mega Mod For SH4 221117
Thanks to Webster’s excellent GFO Mega Mod

As this seems to have all the best beginner instructions to walk me through everything.

If anyone has suggestions for any apps or tools that make playing the game more fun and tolerable as things get tougher please fell free to suggest them. I do run a spreadsheet and a couple of online apps on a 2nd computer on my right apps like virtual graph paper, yards to meters converter and Nautical Mile Calculator for Ships but I am sure some folks have solid good apps to here.

One wish better campaign map clearer I have a real hard time reading the Latitude and Longitude Numbers especially at night when the Orange Red glare is spilling out over the edges and while I appreciate the effort for the atmosphere I rather be able to read things without having to go to my screen with a magnifying glass.

Again much appreciation
Captain Edward Huxley

[propbeanie]

@Captain Huxley: fred8615 has some map mods, and there are a few others that have done some, but getting those Lat/Long markings more visible, especially under read light, still eludes me also... As for Webster's mod, it is easiest to use the package THEBERBSTER put together at THEBERBSTERS All In One Beginners Mega Mod List For SH4 (https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2508558#post2508558), which is Webster's GFO all laid out logically. As for the "tools", it depends upon how deep into the water you want to dive... you can get really deep into some aspects of the game. As has been suggested, just use the "Mods" link above, then the "SH4" link, and start browsing. You'll probably find enough interesting stuff to fill an old 4Gig hard drive, and then forget what-all you downloaded it for... lol :har:

A big point to make about tools and such, and you mention a 2nd computer... that is the way to do things. If I want to load my "Sub Buddy" and really get into tracking stuff, I use my old 10" 'droid tablet on a stand, and have at it. It is best if you do not "shell-out" to Windows on the game computer. Reason being, the SH4 app is an old Windows XP program, and as such does not understand all the fancy trappings of a 'modern' computer with virtual machines and streaming audio and video. SH4 expects things to stay where they are in memory, while Windows likes to re-arrange things. If you do "shell-out", the game will sometimes have display and audio anomalies, such as the sound mostly disappears, or there is a "steam" cloud following your boat around. If that happens, just Save your game progress where you are, exit the game, then re-start the game and load that save you made. All should be back to "normal"... In other words, you can shell-out, just expect some issues.

As for your mentioning "... As I see it the core mods I need in every incarnation will be the widescreen mod for my higher resolutions and the 16:9 aspect ration and of course LAA all this managed by JSGME", you do NOT need a widescreen app like you do in SH3. SH4 has a built-in dialog to do several screen sizes from 4:3 to 5:4 to 16:9, and maybe a 16:10 (don't quote me on the 16:10). If you have an ultra-wide display, you could supplement for that, but from all indications of issues invovled, you would be better off letter-boxing the game in a wider screen, and just be done with the hassle. So, if you are wanting to do multiple copies of your SH4 as 1Patriotofmany suggests, you would then need:
1. JSGME v2.6[/url
2. [url=https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1110]MultiSH4 v1.5 (https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=5473)
and I would read-up on LAA from CapnScurvy in
3a. Windows10; Large Address Aware (https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2452635#post2452635)
3b. 4GB virtual memory Patch (https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=5737) or NTCore 4Gig Patch (https://ntcore.com/4gb-patch/) (the original)
It doesn't matter which if the 4Gig utilities you use, and you most likely would not need any if using Webster's list. However, it does give SH4 more room to "breath" inside your computer's allotted 4gig virtual 32-bit machine, especially if you have a lot of 32-bit background apps running. JSGME is "Jones Soft Generic Mod Enabler", and would not be use for the 4gig stuff, and only for the actual MOD activations / de-activations you might use. MultiSH4 is a stand-alone app also, and just writes a 3-character string to the game's "FileManager.dll" that can point each install to a different "Save" folder, but they would all be under your "My Documents" folder still. I have "SH4" as my stock game's save folder, and "GFO" for Game fixes only, and "FRS" for Fall of the Rising Sun mod, as well as "TMO" for my Trigger Maru install. It sounds more complicated than it is, so just read a bit, try a few things, ask questions, etc... Definitely much easier to deal with SH4 than a DOS boot disk to get Red Storm Rising running... :arrgh!:

[Captain Huxley]

So I got myself up tp mid 70's for realism and want to get up to 100 but still struggling with AOB calculations

I see some Utilities but I don't know what works with what versions I want to download MoBO but that link does not seem to work it just refreshes the page but does not download

I looked at Solution Solver 1.3.3 going to see if that will work out any other ideas that won't require alt tabbing ?

[KaleunMarco]

So I got myself up tp mid 70's for realism and want to get up to 100 but still struggling with AOB calculations

I see some Utilities but I don't know what works with what versions I want to download MoBO but that link does not seem to work it just refreshes the page but does not download

I looked at Solution Solver 1.3.3 going to see if that will work out any other ideas that won't require alt tabbing ?

i am comfortable running at approx 68.

enjoy the game and forget about the "realism".
if you want realism, enlist. it gets real, real fast.
:03:

[Captain Huxley]

i am comfortable running at approx 68.

enjoy the game and forget about the "realism".
if you want realism, enlist. it gets real, real fast.
:03:

I actually get off doing the math and such given the long periods of boredom between stuff happening I love the challenge before going manual TDC it was to much like an Arcade my last patrol I pulled over 70,000 tons in 4 months on the water.

Now of course I am dealing with duds, and why I am trying to steer away from 90 degree AOB shots, I can do those but even just a 10 degree or preferably a 20 degree difference tends to see me miss by 5 to ten degrees and I figure I must be missing something.

I did get Solution Solver 3.06 Alpha and I think I am getting the hang of using it without any supporting document. Can anyone tell me what is the shoot bearing ?

I am guessing if it says 15.2 degrees then point your scope 15.2 degrees off of zero to fire ??????

My standard method for generating AOB is to just keep following the Sonar Bearing and a few times get a visual position then use the compass and click on my position click on where the target is and then last extend it out along targets course and this as far as I know produces the AOB.?

I suppose I am just dealing with the fact just a few degrees error creates misses and like duds and like for those real captains I just have to live with it cause I am pretty sure I am doing it right.

[1Patriotofmany]

There are plenty of youtubes and instructions out there explaining different methods of using the manual targeting. other than that i can't help you for sure, I've never taken the time, but eventually I might. Good luck! I'm sure there's some thread on subsims too.



Here's a quick couple I pulled up. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2107661987


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k5yJI6Z5AU

[KaleunMarco]

I actually get off doing the math and such given the long periods of boredom between stuff happening I love the challenge before going manual TDC it was to much like an Arcade my last patrol I pulled over 70,000 tons in 4 months on the water.

Now of course I am dealing with duds, and why I am trying to steer away from 90 degree AOB shots, I can do those but even just a 10 degree or preferably a 20 degree difference tends to see me miss by 5 to ten degrees and I figure I must be missing something.

I did get Solution Solver 3.06 Alpha and I think I am getting the hang of using it without any supporting document. Can anyone tell me what is the shoot bearing ?

I am guessing if it says 15.2 degrees then point your scope 15.2 degrees off of zero to fire ??????

My standard method for generating AOB is to just keep following the Sonar Bearing and a few times get a visual position then use the compass and click on my position click on where the target is and then last extend it out along targets course and this as far as I know produces the AOB.?

I suppose I am just dealing with the fact just a few degrees error creates misses and like duds and like for those real captains I just have to live with it cause I am pretty sure I am doing it right.

you know, i messed with manual targeting when i first started and came to the conclusion very quickly that I am one person trying to do what several highly trained people do on a submarine. a captain does not compute a firing solution, his attack team does that. so, i turned on auto-targeting and let my crew do the calcs. i determine the course and speed and, of course, man the scope for the attack.:D

then there are all of the other tasks that the game requires you to perform that 70 guys typically perform. and i am one guy. so...one has to remember that it is a game and if you play it you must enjoy it or it's time to go do something else that is enjoyable.

the thought is: the auto functions are like AI and AI is new and exciting!!!!! :har:

[Captain Huxley]

You make a good point KaleunMarco about being a 1 man crew doing the work of all those seamen.

I do tend to pause a lot to make up for the fact I am doing it all pausing while not very realistic as you said I have to being able to make up for doing everything.

Maybe I will go with auto TDC and turn everything else on or off for realism I know I got the plotting down pat and I don't need the map markers that is what small circles, arrows and x are for LOL.

I think you convinced me for now but will keep at it

[Captain Huxley]

There are plenty of youtubes and instructions out there explaining different methods of using the manual targeting. other than that i can't help you for sure, I've never taken the time, but eventually I might. Good luck! I'm sure there's some thread on subsims too.



Here's a quick couple I pulled up. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2107661987


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k5yJI6Z5AU

I have watched all the videos in the Captains Bag of Tricks plus many more but still I tend to miss by 5 or 10 degrees or sometime my torps just seem to go wonky. LOL

[1Patriotofmany]

I'm guessing you are either not getting the speed or the angle of the bow correct... I don't think our torps ever had a problem with gyro angles, depth and mechanical pistol yes. One of these days I sit down and learn to do it and give it a real try.

[pabbi]

I know it's a stupid question, but are you opening the torpedo tubes before shooting.

[1Patriotofmany]

I know it's a stupid question, but are you opening the torpedo tubes before shooting. Not really, that delay might be the thing. He's a swabbie. Might be a fantastic call. I love this site. What about it Captain?

[Captain Huxley]

I know it's a stupid question, but are you opening the torpedo tubes before shooting.


At first that may have been an issue but not anymore when my torps tend to go wonky it is when I set range to like 200 meters using the Dick O Kane method of ignoring range.

As for torps missing by a few degrees I am just needing to learn how to dial them in for me I guess

[Captain Huxley]

Not really, that delay might be the thing. He's a swabbie. Might be a fantastic call. I love this site. What about it Captain?

Don't think that is my issue

[1Patriotofmany]

Don't think that is my issue So you are opening the tubes before shooting then? 200 meters isn't enough for them to even arm and unless you have a perfect 90 degree shot I'd expect much wonkiness.

[Captain Huxley]

So you are opening the tubes before shooting then? 200 meters isn't enough for them to even arm and unless you have a perfect 90 degree shot I'd expect much wonkiness.

Yeah I am opening the tubes 100% of the time now first career where I went till about July 42 before restarting I would say I tended to forget about 50% of the time but now it is muscle memory to just hit (W) set torp, hit (Q) open tube and confirm all of them even a second time before firing.

As for range I never shoot under 1,000 yards that my go to range sometimes it will creep below 850 but I hit reverse if I see that solution happening. I hold my fire if I was at or under 600 yards though.

[1Patriotofmany]

Yeah I am opening the tubes 100% of the time now first career where I went till about July 42 before restarting I would say I tended to forget about 50% of the time but now it is muscle memory to just hit (W) set torp, hit (Q) open tube and confirm all of them even a second time before firing.

As for range I never shoot under 1,000 yards that my go to range sometimes it will creep below 850 but I hit reverse if I see that solution happening. I hold my fire if I was at or under 600 yards though. I'm sure you will figure it out. I know I won't! LOL I play baby level, haven't even attempted manual targeting yet and I've played since the game came out.

[Captain Huxley]

I'm sure you will figure it out. I know I won't! LOL I play baby level, haven't even attempted manual targeting yet and I've played since the game came out.

I think what is getting me is the Torp Lead Angle its the offset needed based upon Targets Bearings and Torp Type/Speed

Your right all get it just need many more firings to solve it all and MoBo is really really helping set up my shots now

[Pisces]

At first that may have been an issue but not anymore when my torps tend to go wonky it is when I set range to like 200 meters using the Dick O Kane method of ignoring range.

As for torps missing by a few degrees I am just needing to learn how to dial them in for me I guessTry setting it to max range. Then it shouldn't correct for torpedo-turn-parallax as much. That extra bit of torpedo turn is larger when the target is close rather than distant.