Questions

[Folducker]

I know this has most likely been answered before, but I can't seem to locate it;

1) How do you determine who gets promoted? Performance? Ability?

2) I seem to be having problems getting my guys to man the deck gun. I sound GQ, surface, click on the deck gun, click fire at will. Apparently, my guys don't know who will is because nothing seems to happen. I have to take control and do it myself. Almost got sunk by an approaching plane that way.

3) The 4".50" gun works better than the 3".50 cal but should it be mounted on the foredeck or the after deck? I don't plan on any running gun battles with destroyers on the surface.

Thanks
Bill

The beatings will continue until morale imporves!

[Frame57]

You determine who gets promoted when in port if that is available. Also you will see some enlisted guys get a bump automatically during the game.

I would leave the deck gun where it is. there has been issues with the game when you move, like your crew vanishes and you cannot get them back.

The deck gun is useless on aircraft, make sure your anti air craft guns are manned,

[MonTana_Prussian]

<The deck gun is useless on aircraft, make sure your anti air craft guns are manned, >

Or better yet,dive!

[Lord Kelvin]

1. Each individual sailor has an experience bar, when they fill that out they can be promoted.

2. Did you drag sailors to man the deck gun in the Crew Management window? They won't man it if nobody's there to do it.

3. I've just left it where it is in most cases, but if you need to run merchies into the ground, the bow deck gun theoretically works better since you can shoot while chasing, instead of having to chase, then turn an angle to unmask the gun, then chase again when they get too far, and repeat the process.

[magic452]

Folducker Run out and paint "WILL" on the side of the target and see if that helps.

Magic

[Folducker]

Originally Posted by magic452

Folducker Run out and paint "WILL" on the side of the target and see if that helps.

Magic

DUDE!!!! (as my kid would say) Is there a mod for that??????

[Akula4745]

Originally Posted by MonTana_Prussian

<The deck gun is useless on aircraft, make sure your anti air craft guns are manned, >

Or better yet,dive!

Montana is giving you good advice... the whole sub vs. aircraft thing very seldom works out in favor of the sub (at least for me)... and besides think risk/reward!

Akula4745

[Folducker]

Originally Posted by Akula4745

Montana is giving you good advice... the whole sub vs. aircraft thing very seldom works out in favor of the sub (at least for me)... and besides think risk/reward!

Akula4745

I think that the only time I would actually try to use AA guns or the deck gun on an enemy warship or plane would be as a last resort. (Sunk something big, didn't save, got caught etc). IMHO, the deck gun is most useful against lone, unescorted ships that I don't want to waste a Torp on, or are out of them. I sunk 68K tons on my last patrol, came back with "0" of everything except AA ammunition.

On another note, I was offered another boat, which I took. I am now the proud captain of the USS Drum. (I been drummed!). Approaching a convoy head on in the open ocean, 1000M of water underneath, Periscope depth at night at 1/3 speed. getting ready to do what has worked well right along, i.e. go to 65 M, get past the destroyer screen, go to per. depth, set up and start shooting. Didn't work out so well.... Still 15K or so away, gave it a couple of clicks on the TC, next thing I know, I am sunk. ??? WTF???? I wish there was some way to replay so I could tell what happened. I restarted, went to another area, found a lone destroyer, approached at periscope depth running silent. Nailed him. Makes me think maybe these Gato's make a little more noise?

[Torplexed]

I've found the AA guns are the better choice for sinking small fry like fishing boats, junks and sampans. Save the big shells for bigger game. You'll have to man it yourself though....AA guns won't fire on surface targets automatically.

if you never shoot down planes you cant hit them, if you shoot many of them done you dont miss much and they become much less of a threat.

how many torpedos did you miss before you learned manual targettting and got good at it?

dont blame your lack of AA training (IE why you have to hide from planes) on anything but the fact you "choose" not to learn to be able to defend yourself from lone aircraft. granted you never should take on more than single contacts if you can help it but you need to be prepared to defend yourself with AA because the time will come where you will only survive if you can shoot that plane down, and dont expect the crew AI to ever be good at it so you'll have to man it yourself.

[MonTana_Prussian]

<I think that the only time I would actually try to use AA guns or the deck gun on an enemy warship or plane would be as a last resort. (Sunk something big, didn't save, got caught etc). IMHO, the deck gun is most useful against lone, unescorted ships that I don't want to waste a Torp on, or are out of them. I sunk 68K tons on my last patrol, came back with "0" of everything except AA ammunition.>

I tried to use the AA on planes,but paid a heavy price in damage,so I now avoid planes like the plague. Watch out attacking singletons with the DG,as the war goes on,more and more are armed,and can really ruin your whole day!

Originally Posted by MonTana_Prussian

<I think that the only time I would actually try to use AA guns or the deck gun on an enemy warship or plane would be as a last resort. (Sunk something big, didn't save, got caught etc). IMHO, the deck gun is most useful against lone, unescorted ships that I don't want to waste a Torp on, or are out of them. I sunk 68K tons on my last patrol, came back with "0" of everything except AA ammunition.>

I tried to use the AA on planes,but paid a heavy price in damage,so I now avoid planes like the plague. Watch out attacking singletons with the DG,as the war goes on,more and more are armed,and can really ruin your whole day!

have you used the sub school training to get good at shooting aircraft?

tactics are one thing but avoiding proper training is another. even if you never use AA you should be trained enough to be good enough to save yourself when needed.

[MonTana_Prussian]

Originally Posted by WEBSTER

have you used the sub school training to get good at shooting aircraft?

tactics are one thing but avoiding proper training is another. even if you never use AA you should be trained enough to be good enough to save yourself when needed.

Yes,I have,but I just find that it's best to avoid. I did shoot down a few planes,but one of them still got bombs away,and heavy damage to my boat.

That cured me of shooting at planes!

[Folducker]

Originally Posted by MonTana_Prussian

Yes,I have,but I just find that it's best to avoid. I did shoot down a few planes,but one of them still got bombs away,and heavy damage to my boat.

That cured me of shooting at planes!

Historically, confrontations with aircraft usually didn't go well for the submarine. I did the gunnery training, shot down my share of planes but it only takes one near miss to damage the pressure hull. I think avoiding planes at all cost for me is the best bet.

[Fishie]

Originally Posted by Folducker

I know this has most likely been answered before, but I can't seem to locate it;

1) How do you determine who gets promoted? Performance? Ability?

You handle it personally, each promotion, etc. My method is I find what aspect of the last tour really hindered me. If it was torpedo reloading, I do a shuffle of the men in the torp rooms and acheive as efficent of a reloading crew as possible. If it was the deck gun accuracy/ROF, then I focus on the deck crew. If it was sensor trouble...you get the idea

2) I seem to be having problems getting my guys to man the deck gun. I sound GQ, surface, click on the deck gun, click fire at will. Apparently, my guys don't know who will is because nothing seems to happen. I have to take control and do it myself. Almost got sunk by an approaching plane that way.

Both the Deck and the AA gun have to have assigned crewmen on the crew page. If they're empty, even if you give orders, nobody will show.

"Who was on the deck gun this shift, people?"
"I dunno!"
"Not me! I was on Damage Control!"
"Me too, skipper!"
"Nicht me, Herr Kaluen!"
"BERNARRRRD!"

3) The 4".50" gun works better than the 3".50 cal but should it be mounted on the foredeck or the after deck? I don't plan on any running gun battles with destroyers on the surface.

First off, the deck gun is for crippled vessels, Junks (for target practice, you see), and for VERY small merchants ONLY!

I've gotten in ONE duel with a Destroyer, out of neccesity, and it cost 1/2 a dozen sailors their lives.

I find that with most merchants,it really doesn't matter, but I like the convienence of being able to have my course set and 99/100 times, I can just order all stop, plink the merchant, and then order all ahead 2/3rds and not have to turn.

Goofy, I know. I like the stern mount. Plus, the foredeck is much more roomy for those suntanning sessions during the top off at Midway


Good hunting!