Beginner's luck or instinct?

Hinrich Schwab · 02-10-12, 03:27 AM

I recently found a buried screenshot of me completing the Gibraltar single mission. I vividly remember this because, before I began playing subsims and researching submarine warfare in college, my only knowledge of the subject was my prized copy of the uncut version of Das Boot. One of the first things I did back in 2010 when I bought Silent Hunter III and 4 on a groovy package deal was play the Gibraltar mission. My realism was somewhere between 69 and 73 percent ( I honestly don't remember) and I had no mods, as I was unaware this community existed until after I finished the mission. Other than succeeding, to this day I do not know how well I did. So, I will give a brief here in the hopes the Old Gang can tell me how lucky I was.

I chose to plot my course as close to the North African shoreline as I could and have deep water underneath me. I quickly realized that currents weren't in the game, so I couldn't pull the stunt in the movie. I proceeded to dive and leveled off around 155 meters and went to silent running. Once I picked up the first picket ships, I turned on the gramophone, expecting the sound to confuse the escorts (I was ignorant of the AI at the time

). Needless to say, I was ignored. I realized that I would not clear Gibraltar before sunrise, so I increased from Ahead Slow(Kleine Fahrt) to Ahead 1/3 (Langsam Fahrt) I would get through in time, but at the risk of exhausting my batteries.

Needless to say, gramophone blaring, I made it without so much as an alert. I managed to bag a C2 and a Coastal Merchant before making it to La Spezia without incident. I am just wondering how lucky I was or if it was just unrecognized skill. I honestly think it was luck.

andwii · 02-10-12, 06:49 AM

idk unmodded AI is herp, but sense you did increase speed and they didn't hear you Im going to go ahead and say luck. lol

maillemaker · 02-10-12, 07:57 AM

I find even in GWX going through the straight of G is pretty easy. There is not nearly the amount of traffic in game as shown in the movie.

Steve

Jimbuna · 02-10-12, 12:11 PM

In stock/vanilla there isn't all that much of a challenge but so long as you enjoyed the gameplay and experience everything else is secondary.

andwii · 02-10-12, 12:42 PM

Anyone happen to have a mod that will make the Strait of Gibralter realistic in its difficulty?

Hinrich Schwab · 02-10-12, 01:59 PM

Just for giggles, I opened the mission in the mission editor. I see now it was a combination of both. There are holes in the cordon throughout the entire strait. I also see the luck factor as the C-Class Destroyers should have busted me out every day of the week. I also guessed correctly about the North African coast, which has few AI waypoints and crossovers compared to the middle of the strait. The lone hunter-killer group was also in an easily avoidable position consistent with my "best guess" tactics.

02-10-12, 03:27 AM	#1
Hinrich Schwab Grey Wolf Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 908 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 0	Beginner's luck or instinct? I recently found a buried screenshot of me completing the Gibraltar single mission. I vividly remember this because, before I began playing subsims and researching submarine warfare in college, my only knowledge of the subject was my prized copy of the uncut version of Das Boot. One of the first things I did back in 2010 when I bought Silent Hunter III and 4 on a groovy package deal was play the Gibraltar mission. My realism was somewhere between 69 and 73 percent ( I honestly don't remember) and I had no mods, as I was unaware this community existed until after I finished the mission. Other than succeeding, to this day I do not know how well I did. So, I will give a brief here in the hopes the Old Gang can tell me how lucky I was. I chose to plot my course as close to the North African shoreline as I could and have deep water underneath me. I quickly realized that currents weren't in the game, so I couldn't pull the stunt in the movie. I proceeded to dive and leveled off around 155 meters and went to silent running. Once I picked up the first picket ships, I turned on the gramophone, expecting the sound to confuse the escorts (I was ignorant of the AI at the time). Needless to say, I was ignored. I realized that I would not clear Gibraltar before sunrise, so I increased from Ahead Slow(Kleine Fahrt) to Ahead 1/3 (Langsam Fahrt) I would get through in time, but at the risk of exhausting my batteries. Needless to say, gramophone blaring, I made it without so much as an alert. I managed to bag a C2 and a Coastal Merchant before making it to La Spezia without incident. I am just wondering how lucky I was or if it was just unrecognized skill. I honestly think it was luck.

02-10-12, 12:11 PM	#4
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,552 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	In stock/vanilla there isn't all that much of a challenge but so long as you enjoyed the gameplay and experience everything else is secondary. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-10-12, 06:49 AM	#2
andwii Frogman Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bridge of U-123 Posts: 300 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	idk unmodded AI is herp, but sense you did increase speed and they didn't hear you Im going to go ahead and say luck. lol

02-10-12, 07:57 AM	#3
maillemaker Sea Lord Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,639 Downloads: 75 Uploads: 0	I find even in GWX going through the straight of G is pretty easy. There is not nearly the amount of traffic in game as shown in the movie. Steve

02-10-12, 12:42 PM	#5
andwii Frogman Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bridge of U-123 Posts: 300 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Anyone happen to have a mod that will make the Strait of Gibralter realistic in its difficulty?

02-10-12, 01:59 PM	#6
Hinrich Schwab Grey Wolf Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 908 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 0	Just for giggles, I opened the mission in the mission editor. I see now it was a combination of both. There are holes in the cordon throughout the entire strait. I also see the luck factor as the C-Class Destroyers should have busted me out every day of the week. I also guessed correctly about the North African coast, which has few AI waypoints and crossovers compared to the middle of the strait. The lone hunter-killer group was also in an easily avoidable position consistent with my "best guess" tactics.