SH3: Hello from a noob :)

mmm...Dönitz · 01-22-09, 08:41 PM

Hi all, as it says above this is my first post here.

I just finished a three hour (realtime) convoy attack training mission, including numerous depth charge attacks, surfacing twice to recharge batteries and move the external stored torpedoes into the tubes. I finally returned to port almost satisfied with sinking 14500 tons out of the 15000 target, only to find that I forgot to click "exam".

DOH!

Anyway, a month after buying SH3 from the barigain bucket at Woolworths just before it closed down (and then having to upgrade my ancient PC just to be able to play it) I must say I'm hooked. I used to play loads of flight sims when I was in my teens (37 now) but this is the first "game" I've devoted any real time to in nigh on two decades.

Before I head out to sea again I wanted to check a couple of things with you guys. First, I'm working my way through the training missions trying to get as good a score on all of them in order to build up renown for a career, but I wonder if I've started off on the wrong foot? I'd like to play the game with 100% realism but I as far as I can tell these settings are all inside the career option? Is there any way I can do the training missions with, say, manual TDC inputs? The menu layout and the manual kind of suggest that you do the training missions first, then setup a career, but it seems a bit odd not to be able to practise at the realism level you want to play with.

Also, having just found this forum, I'm intrigued by the available mods - particularly GWX. Is it actually worth installing this from the get-go? As far as I can tell, it adds a lot more realism in the gameplay and also some eye candy, but I'm a but worried that my cranky old PC will be able to handle it if the graphic get any more demanding. For info I'm using a P4 with 1GB RAM and an Inno graphics card with the NVidea 5200 chipset working through a 4x AGP port. To be honest I was surprised my PC ran the game at all, even after I got the new graphics card. It only chugs when I am watching explosions through the periscope. If I install GWX will I make things worse? I'm pretty happy with the in game graphics, but if there are options that make the actual gameplay better then it would be a shame to miss out.

I read that GWX needs to be installed over an otherwise unmodded instal of SH3. Could I install it over my copy since all I have done is play the training missions? I have no other mods installed.

Anyway, I need to head to quarters and catch a few hours sleep before my real job beckons again! I;m sure I'll be back with some more questions soon!

Weiss Pinguin · 01-22-09, 08:49 PM

To set difficulty for training missions, just go to Single Missions and adjust the realism settings there. You can also do the same in the career options, but I'm guessing you probably haven't started one yet.

I run almost the same setup as you (RAM and GFX card are the same) and GWX runs fine for me, although anything particularly extravagant like a tanker exploding slows my frames down, obviously. For the most part it's all smooth.

I personally haven't played War Ace Campaign or NYGM (The other two supermods around here) so I can't say much for them, although they are highly recommended by many, but GWX is definitely a top-notch mod.

Oh, and welcome aboard!

9emini · 01-22-09, 08:55 PM

Welcome mmm - I'm pretty new to here/SH3 too. Made the same mistake you did with the exam heh :-) . I don't think the tuts' realism can be altered :-( . Some of the wise folk here recommended I get the hang of the base game before trying GWX - which is proving sage advice, as I am finding making it through the English Channel unscathed is more than a match for my low skills, on realism=100%! GWX sounds orders of magnitude more difficult... If you do want to give it a go, I'm sure your current SH3 install is in a perfect state to accommodate GWX. One thing you may want to check out is a utility to change the game resolution - especially if you have a widescreen monitor.

Edit: OK, my tut realism understanding is clearly lacking :-) . Is more renown earned by completing tuts on 100%?

A Very Super Market · 01-22-09, 09:04 PM

I lost my entire essay to you when I clicked "back" by accident.

Oh well
The tutorials will give you extra 1500 renown for completing them all, it doesn't matter whether you are excellent or satisfactory. And I too, recommend you try out stock SH3 before any super-mods. Don't get too attached to your kaleuns though, since stock gamesaves aren't compatible with GWX.

Also, if you want to try stock first, download and install SH3 commander. It will let you (make it much easier) to change your crew, and it will also make personnel files for your kaleun, and generally be useful for you. Make sure to uninstall when installing a super-mod though.

Oh I almost forgot.
Welcome to Subsim!

ReallyDedPoet · 01-22-09, 09:15 PM

Welcome to SUBSIM

RDP

Keelbuster · 01-22-09, 10:04 PM

Hey dude. Welcome. I also have an ancient rig. Sometime back when, it was a tight system. Now she's a wreck. But somehow, somehow, she can still pull the SH3. Specifically, 2.4ghz cpu, 1gb ram, radeon 9700 (i mean i build this in 2003). So that's where i'm coming from. Oh and the other thing is i've been playing SH3 for a while.

So here's where it's at. You _need_ a mod. Stock SH3 basically is a waste of your time. Also, FXck the training missions. Not a big deal. If you want to train, start your career in 1939. Anyway, my advice get some mods. Get GWX3.0. Get the lifeboat mod. Recently I've been _majorly hyped_ about the longer repair times mod. I'm loving it so far. Anyway. Forget the game as it was shipped. Embrace the future! (or is it the past?)

Btw - if you have framerate hitches i have suggestions.

Freiwillige · 01-23-09, 12:32 AM

Gutentaug and welkommen Kaleun!

Now GWX is an absolute realism mod. Ships that were in port during the war are now in port during GWX campaigns. Royal oak being sunk by U-47 in scapa flow for example! I was told to stay with the stock campeign too before going with GWX. I would skip that advice and go straight to GWX 3.0! Its not alot harder but it is much much more realistic. It will bump up your loading times quite a bit but other than that graphically speaking it isnt that off from stock.

Yes I would absolutely say go for it. And I bought a GeForce 7300GT w/512 megs of graphics memory in AGP for fairly cheap recently. So there are options out there for AGP users.

But my point, GWX 3.0 I wouldnt hesitate.

and welcome aboard, Let me buy you a beer!

Sledgehammer427 · 01-23-09, 12:46 AM

welcome aborad, as i see everyone has beat me.

i dont do the training missions, i make the game think i did them and feel really REALLY bad through the rest of the game cuz i cheated the game of 1500 bucks...just kidding!

you'll like it here, mister clever username, surf the mods forums, and see whats cooking (i truly hate metaphors)

brendan · 01-23-09, 02:10 AM

i'll have to say, i wanted to wait and finish a career with stock sh3 before upgrading to gwx3. after downloading it i found it really is a complete improvement in every way. i have vista and after reading posts here i got worried i would run into problems, and i know next to nothing about modding, but i had no trouble at all. i still stay away from kiel though, there's no easy way to the north atlantic from there

mmm...Dönitz · 01-23-09, 07:19 AM

Danke für das freundliche Willkommen, Kamerad Kaleuns!*

So it sounds like I should show no fear and install GWX3.0 now, and before I get too far into developing a particular command. If stock saved games aren't compatible with GWX, does that mean I'll have to restart even the training missions from scratch once I do the install? No great shakes, really. Apart from the convoy attack, which I'm yet to finish as an exam, I should be able to sail through (no pun intended) the others relatively quickly.

I'm reassured to hear that many of you have museum spec machines! Some friends who play 1st person shooters seem to have to upgrade theirs every week to play the latest version of Gears of Half Doom Life XXXVVII…

I'm on enforced shore leave all weekend, but I'll get modding next week.

*Isn't Babelfish wonderful?

bert8for3 · 01-23-09, 08:06 AM

Welcome aboard! If you're hooked on stock, guaranteed you'll have a severe addiction once you start trying some mods.

Dowly · 01-23-09, 08:09 AM

Welcome aboard!

subdude · 01-23-09, 08:14 AM

wilkommen an bord dönitz!

i have just installed GWX after playing stock for 3 months or so, it's a quantum leap forward!
enjoy and sink them all!

Laufen zum Ziel · 01-23-09, 01:08 PM

Welcome aboard. With GWX 3 you will be addicted.

Take a look at this thread. It may make it even
more realistic for you.

Jimbuna · 01-23-09, 03:20 PM

Welcome aboard mmm...Dönitz

01-22-09, 08:41 PM	#1
mmm...Dönitz Seaman Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 32 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	SH3: Hello from a noob :) Hi all, as it says above this is my first post here. I just finished a three hour (realtime) convoy attack training mission, including numerous depth charge attacks, surfacing twice to recharge batteries and move the external stored torpedoes into the tubes. I finally returned to port almost satisfied with sinking 14500 tons out of the 15000 target, only to find that I forgot to click "exam". DOH! Anyway, a month after buying SH3 from the barigain bucket at Woolworths just before it closed down (and then having to upgrade my ancient PC just to be able to play it) I must say I'm hooked. I used to play loads of flight sims when I was in my teens (37 now) but this is the first "game" I've devoted any real time to in nigh on two decades. Before I head out to sea again I wanted to check a couple of things with you guys. First, I'm working my way through the training missions trying to get as good a score on all of them in order to build up renown for a career, but I wonder if I've started off on the wrong foot? I'd like to play the game with 100% realism but I as far as I can tell these settings are all inside the career option? Is there any way I can do the training missions with, say, manual TDC inputs? The menu layout and the manual kind of suggest that you do the training missions first, then setup a career, but it seems a bit odd not to be able to practise at the realism level you want to play with. Also, having just found this forum, I'm intrigued by the available mods - particularly GWX. Is it actually worth installing this from the get-go? As far as I can tell, it adds a lot more realism in the gameplay and also some eye candy, but I'm a but worried that my cranky old PC will be able to handle it if the graphic get any more demanding. For info I'm using a P4 with 1GB RAM and an Inno graphics card with the NVidea 5200 chipset working through a 4x AGP port. To be honest I was surprised my PC ran the game at all, even after I got the new graphics card. It only chugs when I am watching explosions through the periscope. If I install GWX will I make things worse? I'm pretty happy with the in game graphics, but if there are options that make the actual gameplay better then it would be a shame to miss out. I read that GWX needs to be installed over an otherwise unmodded instal of SH3. Could I install it over my copy since all I have done is play the training missions? I have no other mods installed. Anyway, I need to head to quarters and catch a few hours sleep before my real job beckons again! I;m sure I'll be back with some more questions soon!

01-22-09, 08:49 PM	#2
Weiss Pinguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Auburn, Alabama Posts: 3,333 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	To set difficulty for training missions, just go to Single Missions and adjust the realism settings there. You can also do the same in the career options, but I'm guessing you probably haven't started one yet. I run almost the same setup as you (RAM and GFX card are the same) and GWX runs fine for me, although anything particularly extravagant like a tanker exploding slows my frames down, obviously. For the most part it's all smooth. I personally haven't played War Ace Campaign or NYGM (The other two supermods around here) so I can't say much for them, although they are highly recommended by many, but GWX is definitely a top-notch mod. Oh, and welcome aboard! __________________

01-22-09, 09:04 PM	#4
A Very Super Market The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Deep in the Wild Canadian suburbs. Posts: 1,468 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I lost my entire essay to you when I clicked "back" by accident. Oh well The tutorials will give you extra 1500 renown for completing them all, it doesn't matter whether you are excellent or satisfactory. And I too, recommend you try out stock SH3 before any super-mods. Don't get too attached to your kaleuns though, since stock gamesaves aren't compatible with GWX. Also, if you want to try stock first, download and install SH3 commander. It will let you (make it much easier) to change your crew, and it will also make personnel files for your kaleun, and generally be useful for you. Make sure to uninstall when installing a super-mod though. Oh I almost forgot. Welcome to Subsim! __________________ The entire German garrison of Vanviken, right here in your thread!

01-22-09, 09:15 PM	#5
ReallyDedPoet Canadian Wolf Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada. The one and only, East Coast Posts: 10,884 Downloads: 946 Uploads: 5	Welcome to SUBSIM RDP __________________ Back in the Day

01-22-09, 10:04 PM	#6
Keelbuster Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: BA 72 Posts: 1,092 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Hey dude. Welcome. I also have an ancient rig. Sometime back when, it was a tight system. Now she's a wreck. But somehow, somehow, she can still pull the SH3. Specifically, 2.4ghz cpu, 1gb ram, radeon 9700 (i mean i build this in 2003). So that's where i'm coming from. Oh and the other thing is i've been playing SH3 for a while. So here's where it's at. You _need_ a mod. Stock SH3 basically is a waste of your time. Also, FXck the training missions. Not a big deal. If you want to train, start your career in 1939. Anyway, my advice get some mods. Get GWX3.0. Get the lifeboat mod. Recently I've been _majorly hyped_ about the longer repair times mod. I'm loving it so far. Anyway. Forget the game as it was shipped. Embrace the future! (or is it the past?) Btw - if you have framerate hitches i have suggestions. __________________

01-22-09, 08:55 PM	#3
9emini Seaman Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Aboard the Galaga Posts: 37 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Welcome mmm - I'm pretty new to here/SH3 too. Made the same mistake you did with the exam heh :-) . I don't think the tuts' realism can be altered :-( . Some of the wise folk here recommended I get the hang of the base game before trying GWX - which is proving sage advice, as I am finding making it through the English Channel unscathed is more than a match for my low skills, on realism=100%! GWX sounds orders of magnitude more difficult... If you do want to give it a go, I'm sure your current SH3 install is in a perfect state to accommodate GWX. One thing you may want to check out is a utility to change the game resolution - especially if you have a widescreen monitor. Edit: OK, my tut realism understanding is clearly lacking :-) . Is more renown earned by completing tuts on 100%?

01-23-09, 12:32 AM	#7
Freiwillige The Old Man Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phx. Az Posts: 1,458 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	Gutentaug and welkommen Kaleun! Now GWX is an absolute realism mod. Ships that were in port during the war are now in port during GWX campaigns. Royal oak being sunk by U-47 in scapa flow for example! I was told to stay with the stock campeign too before going with GWX. I would skip that advice and go straight to GWX 3.0! Its not alot harder but it is much much more realistic. It will bump up your loading times quite a bit but other than that graphically speaking it isnt that off from stock. Yes I would absolutely say go for it. And I bought a GeForce 7300GT w/512 megs of graphics memory in AGP for fairly cheap recently. So there are options out there for AGP users. But my point, GWX 3.0 I wouldnt hesitate. and welcome aboard, Let me buy you a beer!

01-23-09, 12:46 AM	#8
Sledgehammer427 PacWagon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Drinking coffee and staring at trees in Massachusetts Posts: 2,908 Downloads: 287 Uploads: 0	welcome aborad, as i see everyone has beat me. i dont do the training missions, i make the game think i did them and feel really REALLY bad through the rest of the game cuz i cheated the game of 1500 bucks...just kidding! you'll like it here, mister clever username, surf the mods forums, and see whats cooking (i truly hate metaphors) __________________ Cold Waters Voice Crew - Fire Control Officer Cmdr O. Myers - C/O USS Nautilus (SS-168) 114,000 tons sunk - 4 Spec Ops completed V-boat Nutcase - Need supplies? Japanese garrison on a small island in the way? Just give us a call! D4C!

01-23-09, 02:10 AM	#9
brendan Seaman Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 32 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	i'll have to say, i wanted to wait and finish a career with stock sh3 before upgrading to gwx3. after downloading it i found it really is a complete improvement in every way. i have vista and after reading posts here i got worried i would run into problems, and i know next to nothing about modding, but i had no trouble at all. i still stay away from kiel though, there's no easy way to the north atlantic from there

01-23-09, 07:19 AM	#10
mmm...Dönitz Seaman Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 32 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Danke für das freundliche Willkommen, Kamerad Kaleuns!* So it sounds like I should show no fear and install GWX3.0 now, and before I get too far into developing a particular command. If stock saved games aren't compatible with GWX, does that mean I'll have to restart even the training missions from scratch once I do the install? No great shakes, really. Apart from the convoy attack, which I'm yet to finish as an exam, I should be able to sail through (no pun intended) the others relatively quickly. I'm reassured to hear that many of you have museum spec machines! Some friends who play 1st person shooters seem to have to upgrade theirs every week to play the latest version of Gears of Half Doom Life XXXVVII… I'm on enforced shore leave all weekend, but I'll get modding next week. *Isn't Babelfish wonderful?

01-23-09, 08:06 AM	#11
bert8for3 Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,124 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	Welcome aboard! If you're hooked on stock, guaranteed you'll have a severe addiction once you start trying some mods. __________________

01-23-09, 08:09 AM	#12
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,052 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Welcome aboard!

01-23-09, 08:14 AM	#13
subdude Sailor man Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kenya Posts: 43 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	wilkommen an bord dönitz! i have just installed GWX after playing stock for 3 months or so, it's a quantum leap forward! enjoy and sink them all! __________________

01-23-09, 01:08 PM	#14
Laufen zum Ziel Eternal Patrol Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hiding on the bottom Posts: 1,783 Downloads: 853 Uploads: 457	Welcome aboard. With GWX 3 you will be addicted. Take a look at this thread. It may make it even more realistic for you. __________________ RIP Laufen zum Ziel

01-23-09, 03:20 PM	#15
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,481 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Welcome aboard mmm...Dönitz __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!