Couple of questions
 

I just got SH4 about a week ago. So far I love it.
But I've been trying to get some realism into the game, In the game options I have it set to Limited batteries, fuel, compressed air, and co2.

In my career I never see it go any lower. Is there something I'm missing?


Also torpedoes?
90% of my torpedoes miss, They seem to go under the ship or it's like the other ship has super good brakes and will seem to stop or turn sharply just before it hits. Any tips there? Perhaps I'm not real quiet. It seems to hit anything have to have to be right on top of them.

Whats the normal distance you fire your torpedoes?

Make sure you check the correct meters and hover your mouse over them to see a numerical readout, the bar itself only depletes if enough fuel has been used. Also, by default, only fuel is used. Batteries only go down if you're using electric engines (in other word, when you're submerged), compressed air is used when you blow ballast for fast surfacing (which is refilled on the surface) and CO2 builds up as you spend more time under water but is instantly ventillated as you surface.First and foremost, make sure you open your tubes before firing. you lose precious seconds if you forget this essential part of the attack (the Q button for the active tube). I don't know if you use auto or manual solutions for your torps, but I assume you fiddle with the torp depth. The thing is about american torps in those times was that they tend to run about 10 feet deeper than they were set. You can couter this by setting them to 10 feet shallower than you really want them to run.

As for distance, I ususally launch my fishes from about 1000 yards but once I was in a situation when I had to shoot from 3500 yards and I managed to hit with both my torps. Although that was during the night.

With the torps, I use the Auto mode. Like said, I am usually right on top of them. I can try tinkering with the manual mode. Also I'll try to sneak up and keep some distance.

I did get the batteries, fuel and compressed air to finally move. But I had to manually edit the save game cfg files. But I dont have the co2 levels. I found by setting that to true, as soon as I load the saved game, all the crew is dead.

That "right on top" method is never a good idea. If you're too close they will easily spot your periscope. That might have something to do with them noticing stuff. Do they start zigzagging when the torp is close or as soon as you fire them (or even before)? Keep a healthy distance and only pop your scope when you REALLY have to.Sorry, I forgot the most obvious reason for this to happen. Usually setting the realism doen't really affect the campaign play as you can chose the four presets at the beggining that overrides every previously chosen options. To really have the settings you want, use the radio in your office and set the gameplay realism there.

I think he means in the office (before you start a patrol) look to left on the BOOKSHELF,,.... from there you will find option settings for career mode. Just move the mouse over some of the books and you will find it there.


As for your torps...Sometimes, especially during daylight, the enemy sometimes sees the torpedo coming and yes, they will try to maneuver out of the way. Also, Early on in the war, up until around late '43, the torpedoes run deeper than you have selected. This is historically accurate. So, set the depth shallower than you think you should. It also depends on what mods you may be using. For example, when I play TMO, I have found than a setting about seven feet shallower than keel depth worked beautifully. With RFB, not as drastic, more like 3-4 feet. Remember, these are guesses. I'm not sure about RFB, but with TMO, the depth anomalies, are inconsistent. That is to say, somtimes they might run 3 feet to deep, and next time, 10 feet too deep. Just experiment a bit to get the feel, but it is better to run too shallow and hit the side, than too deep and miss completely.

Thanks...

I would fire the torp and just a short time later they would start to zig zag, if gunship or destroyer. Merchant seems to have super good rudders and brakes.

I have been testing a few things out, sneaking up and using the sonar more then the periscope.
I think in good time I'll get this nailed down to be able to take on a large convoy. I've been sticking to small convoys and lonely transports.

I suspect in the career office you did not click the play options. On the left side of the office is a radio on the shelf. Click it for options while in career mode. Your settings will be saved.

Fire at high speed torpedo settings at 1500 yards are less. Ships will spot you torp bubble trail. If you are in close and nasty they have less time to react. Early in the war the torps ran deeper than set. Set you torps to the shallowest you can.

WELCOME ABOARD!:sunny:

Yes, ship handling and acceleration has been discussed here many times, as the performance of all vessels in the game - including the subs - is more appropriate to a Grand Prix sim than a naval one. Some folks are working on possible solutions, though, so take heart and keep sailing.

I've been getting the hang of it..
My incident today.

Just north of the China sea, contact popped up, I got too close, the contact when from a east direction to my direction and accelerated to fast. I dove to 200 feet and shut down the engine and batts. Listened on sonar and found him doing a pattern. Seemed to circle me once then about 1/2 way around he'd cut directory over me. Then repeat. Everytime I'd even push 1 knot I'd hear the sonar pings like crazy. I waited for about an hour with no give. Waited some more till he made the circle around me to the rear, perisocpe depth with an Aft torpedeo and BOOM! One hit, sunk..... Surface... Lets go home boys, we need fuel and torps, At this point I only have 3 aft torps left.

Sounds like you handled it just right, Buzz! Congrats and welcome!

Akula4745