Noob in need of advice.
 

Hello Submarine Captains,

This is my first post here and SH4 has been my first introduction to submarine simulations. Having never played the previous versions of SH, needless to say it's been an overwhelming experience, but also very addictive. I have combed over these forums, read instructions and watched many tutorial videos and I'm in need of some advice.

I'm running a career right now on very unrealistic levels. Basically I'm not managing my diesel, O2, batteries or compressed air. I'm using auto-targeting instead of the manual TDC. I'm having a blast destroying lone tankers, freighters and occasionally I engage convoys with unpredictable outcomes :)

So here are a few questions, if someone would be so kind to answer for me.

1) When attacking convoys, I run with silent running engaged and because, at this point, I have to use my periscope to target. Is it common for Destroyers to spot your scope? Also will I be detected by sonar if I go to 2/3 speed while submerged and running in silent mode.

2) As I get more comfortable with my tactics, I want to slowly increase the difficulty level. Since you guys know the difficulties involved where should I start?
I'm thinking I should start by having to manage my diesel fuel and batteries, then move on to the O2 and compressed air, then finally begin to start manually targeting. Does this sound like a good plan?

3) As I start to practice manual targeting are there any missions, custom or stock that basically put you in an area with a target rich environment in order to practice hunting without having to travel 500 miles? I know learning to work the TDC manually is gonna be challenging and I'd like to be able to do it over and over in the same scenerio in order to figure out what I'm doing wrong.

I really enjoy this sim, but I want to be a truely skilled Skipper one day. It just seems overwhealming sometimes all thats invlolved. Any help would be appreciated.

Roger Lee
Commander, USS Phantom

Yes, they will spot your scope. Keep your scope watches brief as you can. In calm seas expecially during the daytime they seem to spot your boat as well as a shadow in the water. Attack at night if you can.

As for manual targeting pratice try the short missions. They put you right on top of action. Once you go to manual targeting you'll never want to go back to auto. It is not 100% hits but the ones you do get are earned.

While you are on auto targeting watch closely the bow waves of your ships and note the speed. Later when you go to manual you will be able to tell better the speed by looking at the bow waves and the rooster tales thrown up by the props. This come sin handy should they spot you and change course or speed. Also study ship ID's as well.

WELCOME ABOARD!:sunny:

My PC won't let me play SH4, but it's the same with all of them: As breadcatcher said, take your time, practice with the single missions until you feel comfortable with the more difficult parts, don't let that stop you from playing careers on the easier levels, and keep posting here, even if it's drivel. We'd rather talk to new folks than not. You'll find all the advice and help here you can think to ask for, and given freely and cheerfully.

1) Destroyers may spot your scope at any time, but the longer you leave it up the better the chance you'll be discovered. Silent running during your attack can cause problems. Just keeping the speed low will help if they aren't already looking for you, and if you forget to disengage it your crew won't load torpedoes or do repairs.

2) Yep, sounds like the way to do it to me. Work into it at your own pace. The hardest realism move is the final step of turning off the external views. It's not losing the knowledge of everything going on - that's actually better when you don't know - but the loss of the beautiful close-ups and screenshots that's hard.

3) That's SH4-specific, so someone else will have to fill you in on that.

As for becoming more skilled, just remember that the real skippers had months of intense training and years as subordinates to develop their skills and learn from the ones who'd already been there, so we're at a disadvantage. On the other hand, we can learn from our mistakes - even the deadly ones, which gives us an advantage they could never have.

Good hunting!

Thanks for the advice guys!!! :arrgh!:

yeah don't go to 2/3 if you near peri depth with escorts near..is bad :yep:

I just peek my scope, leave it near the surface but low enough that wave action won't show it, then just look up for a bit to see where everybody is and drop it.

I started with limited fuel, CO2 and compressed air and auto targeting.
Soon added manual targeting. I ran for a long time like this just to get
a feel for the game, had lots of fun sinking ships and learning how to patrol
and how to handle DDs ect. and how to plot course and speed of targets.

Save your games often when you are learning, it saves a lot of time and frustration


Fuel isn't much of a problem till you go to limited Batt., that changes everything.
Fuel management becomes real important.

I left dud torpedoes till last, couldn't handle the frustration.

For manual targeting I found a large freighter and saved the game and used
the save for target practice till I got a handle on manual targeting. Try different
approaches and ranges, stern and bow shots, ect. It's not as hard as it seems.

This worked for me, I had lots of fun and moved to the next level in my own good time. Each step up brings it's own rewards.

Welcome aboard mate and have fun.

Magic 452
Sink all but six and save them for pallbearers.

If you are not spotted by the DDs when you get close try and keep your speed at one knot and they almost always not detect you.

Stay out of time compression, it has been my experience that a DD will teleport right on top of you depth charging like mad. TC seems to give them super abilities.

Remember the skill levels of each DD's sonarman and lookouts are different. Some are really good and seem to detect you if you make the slightest error in tactics.

I've read that TC mades the DDs a little too good before. But when you say to stay out of time compression, at what distance does that take effect?

I ask this because some approaches would be excruciatingly long without TC (on the order of 4 or 5 hours of just waiting).

Welcome to SUBSIM rgrlee71 :yep::up:


RDP

Thanks guys. A lot of good information here!! :rock:

Welcome to the forum first of all!

Your plan sounds like a reasonable plan,try the less difficult things first like fuel,Co2,realistic damage etc. then as you get better with the manual TDC try to integrate it into your tactics..

The most important thing is for you to feel like your in control of what your doing,then highten the challenge..

Reading about WO2 subs also helps alot and makes the whole sub experience more richer,you will say 'hey i read about that' and sometimes you can even get an advantage because of that knowledge..also patience is important.You will not be able to get to a certain level without trying things and getting alot of experience(e.g make alot of mistakes and learning from them)

About silent running,its not a wonderweapon..it will only work well in certain conditions,like running not faster than 1/3 speed,remember when you select silent running and you are running more than 1/3 speed the engines will be cut down to 1/3..dont use silent running when you are being pinged or when depth charges are being dropped,its better to 'dash' to deeper water and wait till you get there before using silent running,but you have to break contact with the sonar first!

Manual TDC can be practised in the submarine school,it offers you a steady scenario in which you can try angles,speed angle to the bow etc..there are instruction vids on youtube..

So good luck and most important have fun!:D

Not much to add here except welcome and good luck :up:

Welcome aboard.

You will always find good advise here and will soon be addicted.

Welcome aboard and good hunting.............