Assigned patrol grid square, do you stay or do you go?

[Englebert Endrass]

So what strategy do others use.
BdU give you your assigned patrol square. You've reached there and you've been there the required 24 hours.
Do you move on based on intelligence or guessimetric?
Or do you stay in your allotted square only venturing outside if assigned by BdU, say to intercept a convoy, or if you pick up a contact and go outside the grid square during the chase?
Personally I tend to adopt the latter on the basis that by not being in the square you might upset the grand plan, should there be one of course. If the pickings in the patrol area ae particularly lean then after a few weeks then off we go a-hunting.
Also on your way to your square do you choose a route that will get you there as economically and stealthily as possible (my technique), or do you go into high traffic aeas to increase chance of contacts? Tend to do this on return journey to increase intelligence with contact reports, no idea if this earns you brownie points or extra renown but seems to me to be the obvious thing to do.
Just wondered what others do.

[bigboywooly]

I always go to the patrol grid and 99% of the time I find plenty of targets
If I dont then I make a note of the convoy reports on map and try to work out the routes so can set a trap
Other times I just head for the nearest port with some nice targets - based on intel from SH3Gen
Used to speed my way to grid but now I travel around 1\3 speed so have plenty of juice to hunt if I need to

[Redwine]

I attempt to reach the designed grid ....if posible, but if a juicy convoy appears, i go for it, normally i expend all my torps on a single convoy, even the external reloads, i make a first attack up to be out of torps, and go away, reload and flank the convoy another time and perform a second attack...

Out of internal and external torps, there is no reason to attempt to reach a far grid, i back home or look for a milk cow.

:up:

[Deimos01]

I'll go to my assigned grid following known shipping lanes if possible. Once my 24 is up and I havent come across anything I will head out for more bountyfull locals. :arrgh!:

[NeonSamurai]

I usualy go for my patrol spot, wait it out. (with the spots i usualy get i either get little traffic, or a bunch of neutrals) once that is done i usualy go to one of my prefered hunting grounds where the tankers and the cargo ships play :D

[bert8for3]

Likewise, I generally head for assigned patrol area (it is an order after all), although if I can map a route that will take me through likely target areas on the way, I will. But lately, I've pretty much been heading straight for the patrol area, do my 24 hours, then if nothing go a-hunting (on the theory that BdU would rather I find targets than not).

What's SH3gen?

[bigboywooly]

Likewise, I generally head for assigned patrol area (it is an order after all), although if I can map a route that will take me through likely target areas on the way, I will. But lately, I've pretty much been heading straight for the patrol area, do my 24 hours, then if nothing go a-hunting (on the theory that BdU would rather I find targets than not).

What's SH3gen?

Its a great addition like SH3Commander

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=88438&highlight=SH3Gen

[Sailor Steve]

BdU assigned me that grid; that's where I go and that's where I stay, unless ordered otherwise.

[HunterICX]

I mostly take direct route to the Grid, If I get ship contacts I intercept them when they are close,

after the 24 Patrol, I take an ''Stab-england coast'' route back..for example if I have plenty of fuel I try to get close to an enemy harbour(thats nearby) to take on the ships that come in and out.

[GT182]

If you mark down where you're seeing convoys, you're better off changing the Patrol Grid to where you figure those juicy targets will be using SHIII Commander. If you don't see anything there, or on the way to it, head out to another grid where you might be luckier.

Usually if you don't find anything in the 24 hours you patrol a grid, in all probability you're better off going somewhere else. I've sat in my assigned grid for a week of game time, just to check out what would happen, and seen nothing at all. But, 2 grids away there'd be a convoy or 2 passing by. I've learned to move on to better hunting grounds if nothing is seen.

If you don't make it to your Assigned Grid because of intercepting a convoy, use all your torpedos and send a patrol report. BDU will tell you to RTB, which shouldn't really affect your renoun because you didn't do your 24 hours. Your renoun will be better because of all those juicy ships you've sunk, warships and merchants. I had one patrol that netted me 1467.40 points for renoun and I didn't do my 24 hours. I did sink 3 merchants and 5 warships tho. 1 Liberty Merchant, 2 T3 Tankers, 2 Flower Corvettes, 2 BS Frigates, and a Class C Destroyer.

[andy_311]

I always go to my assigned grid but try to plot a course close to a convoy route.

[SteamWake]

I know you recieve addittional renown for "completing" an assigned tour.

Has any one put a hard number on how much you loose by not completing it ?

[enaceo]

The cfg says you get 500 for getting there and 200 for patroling for 24 hours.
Personally,I take the fastes route twards my patrol sector and engage any ships that come really close.When I get back however,I go twards the main shipping routes to hopefully get something there.If I still can't find any "tonnage" I usually attack a port .

[bert8for3]

Likewise, I generally head for assigned patrol area (it is an order after all), although if I can map a route that will take me through likely target areas on the way, I will. But lately, I've pretty much been heading straight for the patrol area, do my 24 hours, then if nothing go a-hunting (on the theory that BdU would rather I find targets than not).

What's SH3gen?

Its a great addition like SH3Commander

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=88438&highlight=SH3Gen

Tks bbw, I didn't know about it. Going to try that out for sure ... this game just gets better and better. :up:

[rcs929]

I always go right to the patrol grid, orders are orders and BdU wants me there for some reason. I will sink ships on the way if I encounter any. After the 24 hours have expired at the patrol grid I will plot a course to the nearest shipping lane using the map that came with the game showing shipping lanes (now in GW).

I have changed the assigned grid using SH Commander from time to time when I was departing from Kiel and assigned to patrol some grid in BF or BE, but it's rare.

[TarJak]

If there are targets about I hang about. If there's been no action after a day or so more I'll usually head to a port to see what's about. Also targets of opportunity are always on the menu.

If i see a juicy convoy before getting to my assigned patrol grid, I go after it and sink as many as I can before heading back on course or for home if I get to use all my torpedoes.

[Wilko]

I go straight there and do my 24hrs and then I go looking for trouble ... but I have decided against attacking ports cause I always die doing that and then I got to start all over again :damn:

[Pants]

I normally go to the Patrol area, wait 24 hours..kill what i see then i go convoy hunting in the main convoy routes

[fredbass]

It's just really tough to pass up the easy renown by not doing your assigned grid.

And like someone said, if you use "SH3 Commander", which everybody should, then you have the option to change grid assignments.

"Get er Done" :know:

[CWorth]

I usually go to my patrol zone and do the 24hr patrol then move out to more productive areas if I dont find anything in my zone.

I don't enter enemy ports as it is not worth the risk to your boat.I get close to ports to catch anything coming in or going out but stay out of the port itself.

[SteamWake]

I go straight there and do my 24hrs and then I go looking for trouble ... but I have decided against attacking ports cause I always die doing that and then I got to start all over again :damn:

Hrm I must be doing something wrong. "Looking for trouble" ? Trouble always seems to find me ! :lol:

[Marriott]

I go to my grid and if i encounter a lone merchant on the way i will attack it, then continue on. Upon my 24 hours i usually head to an area where i've encountered lots of ships before. i sail around an area about 2 x 2 grids in size and usually within a few minutes (doing 1024 or 512 time compression) i encounter a few merchants to sink.

[Fat Bhoy Tim]

I'll attack anything on the way if it's worth it, half the time I swing by Scapa on the way there (it's still early 1940) and by the time I reach the grid I've used up all my torpedoes.

[SubConscious]

I'm only on my fourth patrol (mid 1940), but I've found it most productive to spend as little time on station as possible. I've had my best luck thus far in North Channel of the Irish Sea (the waterway between Ireland and Great Britain). I find that if I sit in one of the bottlenecks that I can cover the width of the strait with my hydrophones and intercept anything passing through. Convoys are fairly common in this region and the hunting is superb. After I've expended my torpedoes, I'll stick around a few extra days waiting for fair weather and the opportunity to utilize the deck gun.

I fully expect, however, the need to abandon this tactic once the enemy's ASW forces become more organized.

[Redbear]

I usually head straight for the assigned patrol zone, complete the 24 hour patrol and then move on to an area the convoy map or my past experience on patrols tells me there is a good chance of targets. Even if I run into a convoy, etc. along the way (which I will divert to attack), I'll try to eventually complete my orders. Also, when it's time to go on my own, I'll usually pick an area somewhere near my assigned grid square. (In other words, if I was assigned to patrol near Norway, I wont set off for the Carribean). I feel that is more in the 'spirit' of my orders. Luckily, there are convoy routes and single ship routes all over the map.

[The Munster]

The cfg says you get 500 for getting there and 200 for patroling for 24 hours.
Personally,I take the fastes route twards my patrol sector and engage any ships that come really close.When I get back however,I go twards the main shipping routes to hopefully get something there.If I still can't find any "tonnage" I usually attack a port .

Hi, I'm only getting 200 Renown for reaching the Grid, the 24 Hour thing then returning to Base... could somebody supply me the path to the Renown cfg section so I can tweak it ?

[kiwi_2005]

With the Milkcows my patrols are extended. I do my assigned patrol, last one was AM38. Then i make my way to outside the gibralter entry and hunt around there, once fuel is getting low or all torpedoes expended, i head to Bassel and meet up with the milkcow refuel, rearm then head out to the Gib and hunt there and repeat. Attacked 3 convoys doing this. Go back to Bassel rearm etc and now making my way to the North Atlantic heading to iceland will hunt around there then head back to Kiel.

Having Milkcows is awesome!

[TarJak]

I go straight there and do my 24hrs and then I go looking for trouble ... but I have decided against attacking ports cause I always die doing that and then I got to start all over again :damn:

Check this thread out if you're having problems in getting into and out of harbours:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=96843

[IrishUboot]

Once the 24 hours is up can you request a new patrol grid?

I finally completed my first patrol (Assigned to Grid AM24) sailing from Kiel as part of the 7th flottilla U-48. I didn't meet a single ship within my assigned grid but did sink a pair of British merchant cargo ships en route, one off the coast of Scotland (AM36) and one headed in the direction of the Shetlands (AM33) for 11,809t total. Date is 8. September 1939. I'm considering a run down the west coast of my own homeland (Ireland) in any case with the possibility of meeting British merchants destined for Derry or Belfast.

One more thing, are there milkcows as early as September 1939 so I may extend the patrol?

[STEED]

You want those renown points turn up and patrol for 24 hours after that you decide what to do next. :yep:

[Payoff]

I go straight to my grid. Do my time, then its play time.

[IrishUboot]

Are there milkcows in 1939? If so, where are they?

[Ilpalazzo]

I try to take the quickest route to the assigned grid, killing whatever I find along the way. I normally see nothing at the assigned grid so I just wait out the 24 hours and go where I think I can find stuff. When I think I am low enough on fuel or out of ammo, I head back to port.

[enaceo]

The cfg says you get 500 for getting there and 200 for patroling for 24 hours.
Personally,I take the fastes route twards my patrol sector and engage any ships that come really close.When I get back however,I go twards the main shipping routes to hopefully get something there.If I still can't find any "tonnage" I usually attack a port .

Hi, I'm only getting 200 Renown for reaching the Grid, the 24 Hour thing then returning to Base... could somebody supply me the path to the Renown cfg section so I can tweak it ?

The cfg values are probably for 100% difficulty .I never really checked them in the game.If you want to edit that -just go to where your game is installed (for example,my path is C:\games\SilentHunterIII) into the data then cfg folder and there should be a file called "basic.cfg".Just edit the renown-related values
(These ones for the rewarded renown)
[RENOWN]
RenownReachGridObjCompleted=500 <-----reaching the gird
RenownPatrolGridObjCompleted=200 <-----24h patrol of the grid
CompletedPatrol=100
NEUTRAL=-1
ALLIED=1
AXIS=-10
WrongShipSunk=-5000
;FirstRankRenown=1000
;SecondRankRenown=3500
FirstRankRenown=100
SecondRankRenown=350
EndCampaign=-5000

And also
Are there milkcows in 1939? If so, where are they?
By default on the mods,there aren't any before 1940 I think.But you shouldn't really need them since the Kriegsmarine operations aren't that far out into the world in the first year of the war...There might be a way to edit them though -using the mission editor and setting up your own "milk-cows" in 1939 .But that's not quite realistic...if you have fuel problems,or have a B-something patrol grid (or even C-something) just use ahead 1 3rd or ahead standard and you should be able to sail with a VIIB twards the patrol point and back to your base and still have some fuel to spare.

[IrishUboot]

Thanks, enaceo. :cool: