noob walkthrough ??
 

Ok, after spending a lot of time with flightsims, the online combat kind and the offline no bullets kind, I've decided to take a shot at learning how to command a sub. I have SH4 and the Monsun mod, I have an urge to drive U-boats. I also have Janes 688(I) Sub which I played years ago and never really got the hang of it either.
I know there are tutorials on manual and auto-targeting and a number of other subjects but I think I need to dumb it down even more. I need to find the best approach to carrying out a patrol. For example, I'm assuming that the boat stays surfaced at all times other than if suddenly attacked by aircraft or an unnoticed destroyer. But other than that, I take it that I blaze across the high seas on the surface. What do I do if I see a contact on the map, dive, shut off engines & sit, wait till they get closer then dive, how close? I've seen mention of surface attacks, is that just in real life or can you do it in SH4?
You see I have no idea of what a practical method of carrying out a patrol depends on. Maybe none of this makes sense to anyone and maybe that's why I've been so reluctant to put my big toe in the water as it were :D
Is there a "Skipper 101" anywhere?
Thanx for your trouble guys :)

Alky- I'm not much further along then you on experience, and also came to SH4 from flight sims; comabt and FS2004. Some more knowing then I will certainly answer in greater detail. But until then..

>> I take it that I blaze across the high seas on the surface. <<

Yes..particularly at night.

>> What do I do if I see a contact on the map, dive, shut off engines & sit, wait till they get closer then dive..>>

I usually creep up a bit closer after teh map contact and go to periscope depth, and 1/3 ahead..or you can sit and wait if the target is coming toward you. The real experienced guys here can probably tell you half a dozen another tactics as well.

>> I've seen mention of surface attacks, is that just in real life or can you do it in SH4?<<

You can absolutely do surface attacks; depending on the target will probably depend on your success. I like shooting the "junks" and small merchant ships with the deck gun:salute:

The are many tutorials on just about every aspect of SH4..check the "sticky threads" and do a run through on the download section.

Royce

Check this topic out; http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=146795 for some basic tactics and so on.

In particular Legion's "Noob guide" is a good point to start your sub commanding career! Other than that you will learn while playing the game. Feel free to post any questions! :salute:

Thanx Andrew, I believe that link will cover anything I'm hesitant about. Thank you!! :yeah:

And don't forget the best help guide you'll find anywhere: Subsim.com! People here who have learned things are always willing to help with questions. :sunny:

And please take "charging around on the surface" with a grain of salt. One thing you MUST pay careful attention to is fuel economy. With a fleet boat your most economical speed is 9 knots, at which speed you'll never have to worry about fuel. But go ahead full or ahead emergency all the time and you'll be out of fuel for no time. Higher throttle positions are for pursuit or escape only.

Also, don't fall for the ostrich strategy of poking along submerged all day, followed by surface travel at night. For many reasons, the ostrich strategy is foolish.

First of all it is dangerous. While you are submerged you have no awareness of airplanes at all. Especially if you use Trigger Maru Overhauled this is not a mutual condition. They will spot you and bomb you while you are completely ignorant of their existence. Even if they don't bomb you, each time you do surface, you do so blindly, risking an immediate air attack.

Secondly, it is dangerous. You deplete your batteries tremendously, running under the surface at ridiculously slow speeds. When you do surface at night, you are in no position to fight. If you develop targets you will not have the stamina to stay submerged long enough to evade. There is nothing as hazardous to your health as being forced to surface when an unfirendly DD is lurking above.

Thirdly it is dangerous. To your career. On the surface at 9 knots, especially if you use radar you can develop 10 times the targets that you can submerged at one or two knots. The number of targets developed and therefore the tonnage sunk is directly proportional to the number of square miles of ocean surface you search and the speed with which you can obtain an attack position. If you don't sink enough targets the game "offers" you retirement.

A submarine is a surface raider with the unique ability to submerge when absolutely forced to for the shortest possible time.

Some good points there RR, thank you! :)