[danlisa]

Originally Posted by BROJD

Okay, I've started a 1939 career and have run a few semi-successful patrols and have some random fragen:

-Does anyone ever use the command room? Or do you spend most of your time at the Nav station?

Probably most time at the Nav Map. However, only during long spells at time compression. Otherwise, on the bridge or in the Control Room.

Originally Posted by BROJD

-I have 49% realism set right now. I often get contacts 20-40 km away show up on my map. Are those contacts that are radioed in from other subs or airplanes? Or is that just a super-easy setting making the game easier? And what are the best ways to make contacts (I'm running a IIA now -- are my hydrophones worth anything, or should I always sit on the surface looking for targets)?

The contact icons on the map are radioed intel. Do not head straight for them, they won't be there when you arrive. You need to plot an intercept course and arrive in front of the target.

Your hydrophones have a better range than your crew sight, conduct regular hydrophone check as not al targets are reported to the map. You may be missing a lot of targets.

Originally Posted by BROJD

-I've sunk a few neutral units. Whoops! Is that a big deal at all? Do I have to wait until I can ID a flag on each ship before I sink her? That can be tough tough tough, especially at night.

Sinking a neutral will cost you a renown deduction. In stock SH3 the contacts on the map will be Blue=Friendy Red=Enemy & Green=Neutral. However, if you progress to a supermod you will more than likely have to ID the flags as most have grey contacts only.

Originally Posted by BROJD

-When sighting a plane, does everyone just DIVE DIVE DIVE? Is there any reason to stay on the surface and try to fight it out? And how deep do I need to be to keep a plane from spotting me?

In stock, you can quite happily shoot it out on the surface & you will probably down every aircraft you aim at. Again, this is not true anymore with the supermods, aircraft are now deadly and should be feared.

You can be a periscope depth and not be seen by planes, however, if you scopes are up and you are leaving a visible wake, they will spot you.

Originally Posted by BROJD

-I know that historically the U-Boats liked to conduct surfaced night attacks. How far away can my U-Boat be *seen* at night, assuming a minimal profile?

Thanks!

Again, in stock you can pretty much attack at night with impunity. However, there is always a situation where this is not true. Night attacks are best.

Eventually, your crew will get better and will fatique slower. Once you ae happy about mods etc, there are 2 options to remove fatigue altogether. SH3 Commander (read about it in the mods forum) & a cfg mod to remove 1.4b Stock fatigue.