When I installed the game I had some (until now unspoken) complaints about the realism options - particularly the map updates and the weapons officer assistance. RUb fixed map updates for me, but I'd still like to have a fix for the weapons officer. Seems to me that maxiumum "realism" would be achieved if the weapons officer assistance could be turned on (isn't that what he's there for IRL, after all?) and the super-human speed he does it could be turned off, so you ask him for a solution and a minute later (or more/less depending on his experience, perhaps?) he gives it to you. That would be sweet.

The firing solution isn't the only reason I prefer leaving WP assistance on; he also identifies targets at range, which I would be able to do if I could "see" as clearly in the game as I can in real life (my eyes, I'm sure, have a much higher resolution than 1024x768). The only downside is his ability to ID ships at night just as well as in the daytime.

So, I'm playing with the assistance turned on. I played with it off for a while, just to prove to myself that I could do it, but for me ON is closer to "realistic" than OFF.

I voted for "Hard"

It depends on the mod I'm using. I'm currently playing with NYGM with external views, no map update, manual targeting and weapons officer assistance turned off, yet I'm still playing at 100%

Although I know how to play the game with manual targeting I think it's too much work for the Commander - I mean he has fellow officers and crew to do that sort of work doesn't he?

Well... that depends. Your concept of realistic is playing from the captains perspective only. Nothing wrong with that mind you. :up:

Thankfully the game allows you to assume the role of several other crewmember stations. In my mind, as I assume the role of each independent crew member, I find it far more realistic to do their work rather than press a button.

I know what you mean - I love the way you can walk around the boat and press every button (well, all the ones that count) and they acually do something! :D But as you correctly noted, the game I want to play is U-boat Captain. :up:

onelifecrisis, I didn't get a chance to welcome you before, so WELCOME ABOARD!

I use a hodgepodge of mods from different sources, but one I always make sure I have is RUB's 'Assisted Plotting Mod'. Since you're using RUB, I assume that's what you mean about the realistic map. I love the way the contacts only appear when you "call them out".

Also, I too use the WO assistance, and I agree he would be better if he took a little time...and made the occassional mistake.

Thanks! :D

Been reading the forum for a week or so and it seems like a good 'un.

What's the Assisted Plotting Mod and what do you mean by "call them out"? Is it something included in RUb?

Yeah, I was a bit vague about the map updates thing. In a nutshell, I think that the map updates option in stock SH3 is (IMO!) unrealistic ON and unrealistic OFF. I installed RUb and fiddled around with some cfg files and ended up with a happy middle ground where I get some info on the map, but not the equivalent of a satellite uplink like in stock.

I'm pretty sure it's only available in RUB; was never a stand-alone. You leave Map Updates ON and you still have no contacts, but do have sonar traces. If you move the cursor around the map you'll see dotted circles, but if you click on them they say "Unknown", or "Contact". If you (or the WO) identify the ship and put in the info (that's what I meant, as you are "calling it out" to the WO, who enters it on the map) then that one target will show up, but no others. I consider that to be the height of realism.

Ah, yes, we're talking about the same thing. For a minute I thought you meant a new course plotting tool (I want one - so I can plot a new course without deleting my old course :))

That's a good point that came up many times. Tell me if I rember right. With the option ON, is any info displayed in the notepad instantly or I have to ask for everything? This would be ok I info would show in the moment when I can more or less figure it out myself, not when the target is 9000m and I can't even see it...

PS Good to know 20% of people here play hardcore and immersive, nice that this thread is still alive.

The Assisted Plotting is also a standard feature in NYGM, just for info...

Playing on 80% with the stock version, only mapupdates and externel view enabled and play DID....

You have to ask the WO for it. First you have to ask for id, then for solution.

In stock SH3 (even at 100% realism) I noticed that the 'scope says "cargo" or "warship" when you point the 'scope at something unidentified - this allowed me to spot a ship I hadn't actually spotted, if you see what I mean. RUb gets rid of that, so I have to actually see and lock on to the ship before I can get info from my WO, and even then he won't be able to give me the info if visibility is bad (e.g. atlantic rollers washing over the 'scope) so it's worked out OK for my taste :D

Only problem I have is getting the WO to tell me nationality of the ship... :hmm:

Hi Corsair - please tell, what's NYGM? And what's DiD?

Thanks for mentioning that. I mentioned RUB because that's where I took it from, and that's because their readme lists every file that was altered.

As I said, it's been awhile.

I Voted for 'Hard' as I play with the external view and map updates on. I either play SH3 Stock with v1.4b or SH3 v1.4b + GWX.. depends on my mood..

Then again, I do not have it installed at the mo. I'm sure Starforce messed my machine up last time. Have Silent Hunter IV installed though at the mo. Can't seem to stop playing Civilization IV at the mo.

I'm pretty new, so I'm playing stock SHIII (patched, of course) with 59% or so. I can't help it, I like to gape at the event cam. I do plan to figure everything out, and then switch on / off depending on how interesting it still is once I have it figured out.

Since this week i play sh3 and sh4 100% real. And i don`t go back to
a lower percentage.

I like it very much and it`s thrilling and satisfiying.

2 weeks ago i was playing sh3 + gwx on 84% and i didn`t like it anymore.
I found it boring when i had my XX! in 1945. So now i am playing my
third mission in 1940 on full real.

I use external views (to gaze with wonderment at my boat's Fubar skin), no manual targeting (the exec takes care of that) and 67% realism. I can usually survive three or four patrols before I hit Davey Jones' locker. Am about to up the ante though, and increase the realism a notch or two. Life aboard a Uboat must have been rough. I respect veterans of all countries.

55% and im happy !..gotta love that external view!:up:

I just started my very first SH3 and GWC career and it's on 87% , no manual targeting and events camera for screenshots, but with malfunction/sabotage from SH3Cmd.

Plus, i have my own house rules for more realism possible.I dedicated time learning ropes in single missions and reading manuals before i even tried it, though

Still alive after 2 patrols(i take time so patrol lasts at least 2-3 RL days for me) with 40000+ tons sinked, and no casualties and/or damage.

Reason why i am saying all this is that i believe that manual targeting and map update should count for at least 50% of realism score. It's a quite huge difference with those 2 on.

Now i just need to learn how to manually target, it is eluding me so far hehe:D

I think once you get the hang of manual targetting you will see it really isn't very difficult. The only really challening factor is determining speed, and then really only after 1943.