New to the forums

[Gaz360GT]

Hi all

I am new to Silent Hunter III, having only heard of the game last week and purchasing it on Friday. I was a little worried whether the game would run on my laptop or not, as I have read lots of different reports with vista problems and starforce etc. However I was plesently suprised that the game installed and ran on my low spec vista machine without a hitch and I wasn't asked for a key code for starforce or anythng, so I can only assume that starforce isn't part of the version I purchased. For anyones information I purchased the Focus Essential Silent Hunter III disk from Amazon.co.uk, Just thought I would share that as I have read lots of people seem to have problems getting the game to work on vista.
So far I am really enjoying the game and I am currently working through the tutorials. I did find the first tutorial extremely hard to begin with mainly due to the lack of help (or handholding) that you generally get with other games. But the penny has dropped now and i'm starting to find my feet in this game, I suppose the real test will be when I get into open water in career mode!

[Wreford-Brown]

Welcome Gaz.
You'll find us a friendly bunch, and if you have any questions please ask.

[Torplexed]

SHIII is a classic. Welcome aboard.

[Gaz360GT]

Ok, I am a little stuck on the tutorials. I am doing the convoy attack tutorial but am struggling a bit. I am only getting enough time to launch torpedoes once because I head towards the convoy at slow speed (so as not to be heard) launch some torps, then have to dive down because the destroyer turns his attention to me.
My problem is not losing the destroyer because I can keep quite enoungh so that he loses my position but I then lose the convoy because at ahead slow while submerged I am only doing 3knots, but the convoy is travelling at 5knots. If I up my speed the destroyer hears me and starts looking for me again.
Can anyone give me some pointers on how to deal with this situation? Thanks in advance.

Gaz

[sharkbit]

It is just like when you attack a convoy during a career. If you're submerged, you are too slow to keep up with the convoy. Normally, you have to wait until the escort(s) lose contact and head back to the convoy. By the time the escort leaves, the convoy is far away.
You need to surface and work your way ahead of the convoy to attack again. This is time consuming, takes patience, and some planning.

If an opportunity presents itself to take out the escort though, take it. You will still have to end around the convoy if you're sucessful on taking out the escort. The convoy will be well ahead of you by then.

Good luck and welcome aboard.

[Brag]

Welcome aboard, Gaz!

Maybe you should get closer to the convoy before attacking. I seem to remeember it worked for me after about the third try,

[Gaz360GT]

Thanks guys,

I will try to get closer before launching torpedoes, I was launching at just over 1000m, what would be a good range for firing? also If I am to surface and overtake the convoy for a second attack what sort of range do I need between me and the convoy for them not to see me?
Also one other thing, I keep finding myself using the exterior view when submerged to find out where the ships are in relation to my sub (which takes away some of the realism of the game for me), what is the best way to get their location without giving away my position as I believe the radar and hydrophone(misspelt?) give my location away, is this true?
I am finding this tutorial so much harder than the others as the ships are attacking me and dodging my shots unlike the others!

Thanks again

[sharkbit]

If I am to surface and overtake the convoy for a second attack what sort of range do I need between me and the convoy for them not to see me?

If you look on your map, any time a vessel shows up, there are dashed circles around the ship when you click on it. These show the detection ranges. The big circle is the visual range. (The circle with the piece of pie missing is the ASDIC detection range) These ranges are in ideal conditions.

I usually end around at about 8-10km, depending on conditions.

what is the best way to get their location without giving away my position as I believe the radar and hydrophone(misspelt?) give my location away, is this true?

Hydrophone is a passive sensor and won't give your position away. If you have radar or sonar(late war), the enemy can(and will) detect you.
Hydrophone can give you direction and an idea of distance but can get confusing with a lot of ships like a convoy. Visual observation will give you exact locations, but if you're deep and evading depth charges, perisope observations are not an option. You have to rely on hydrophones to get a general idea.

Nothing wrong with peeking on the surface using external camera when learning the game.

[sharkbit]

I am finding this tutorial so much harder than the others as the ships are attacking me and dodging my shots unlike the others!

One more thing:
Keep with it. With all the helpful people on this forum, you will have it figured out soon and be ready to terrorize the high seas soon, get bored with stock, and upgrade to one of the many "super" mods out there which will change the experience greatly.

[Gaz360GT]

Thanks for the help sharkbit, i didn't realise the ships were click able on the map! i'm off to give it another go.

Thanks again

[sharkbit]

Originally Posted by Gaz360GT

Thanks for the help sharkbit, i didn't realise the ships were click able on the map! i'm off to give it another go.

Thanks again

You're welcome.
As has been said many times on this forum, the manual that came with the game is best used to fix a wobbly table or line the bottom of a bird cage.

[Sailor Steve]

WELCOME ABOARD!

Sharkbit's initial post reflects perfectly what the real guys had to go through to set up a proper attack. At least we have the luxury of being able to mess it up and try again (and even die and try again). Use the external views until you understand what's going where, take your time and it'll come to you.

I usually try to get in front of the convoy and lie low until I can fire from 500 metres or less. That way my bad shooting doesn't bite me as often.

[Jimbuna]

Welcome aboard

[Gaz360GT]

OK, I have completed the tutorial, I managed to sink a ship and cripple one on the 1st attack run, lied low for a while, sank the crippled ship with the aft torp (i was so proud of myself for that shot!) whilst catching up with the convoy again to sink another ship.
I used the hydrophone whilst deep and found it to be an excellent tool for obtaining the bearing of other ships, but is there a way of getting their range whilst below periscope depth without giving away my position?

[Red Heat]

Originally Posted by Gaz360GT

Hi all

I am new to Silent Hunter III, having only heard of the game last week and purchasing it on Friday. I was a little worried whether the game would run on my laptop or not, as I have read lots of different reports with vista problems and starforce etc. However I was plesently suprised that the game installed and ran on my low spec vista machine without a hitch and I wasn't asked for a key code for starforce or anythng, so I can only assume that starforce isn't part of the version I purchased. For anyones information I purchased the Focus Essential Silent Hunter III disk from Amazon.co.uk, Just thought I would share that as I have read lots of people seem to have problems getting the game to work on vista.
So far I am really enjoying the game and I am currently working through the tutorials. I did find the first tutorial extremely hard to begin with mainly due to the lack of help (or handholding) that you generally get with other games. But the penny has dropped now and i'm starting to find my feet in this game, I suppose the real test will be when I get into open water in career mode!

Welcome to the "wolfpack" sailor!
Get yourself ready to the NEXT war...Silent Hunter 5 is coming...

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=244