Balao and difficulty

strenface · 12-23-12, 10:49 PM

Hello all! Long time since I have been here or on Silent Hunter, but I decided to get back into it for a bit.

I am in late 1942 and just received a new Balao class submarine. I have used it before, so I am quite familiar with its capabilities.

I also have never used a submarine other than the Balao class past 1943.

I just had a Tambor and really enjoyed the difficulty brought by a limited dive capability. I fear the Balao will make the game far too easy. Running TMO btw.

I recall being able to drop to 600 feet and always getting away with minimal damage. That gets boring after a while.

So what do you all think? Does the diving capabilities of the Balao make the game too easy? Or is deeper diving needed later in the war?

I saved right before docking so I can easily go back and take a refit instead, or try for a Gato.

magic452 · 12-23-12, 11:15 PM

I usually go with a Gato till pretty late in the war.
The truth be told once you figure out how to evade the escorts it gets a bit too easy till later than most of the traffic stays close to the coastlines.
I shouldn't say too easy because you can always run into the elite DDs and the ones with all those ashcan throwers. Not so easy than.

Magic

merc4ulfate · 12-24-12, 09:47 PM

The later the year the more you need that depth. I only wish the seals and other areas of the submarine had the test depth the pressure had. Some pressure hulls were rated at 900 feet but the seals for shafts and such only went to 600.

Armistead · 12-24-12, 10:34 PM

It certainly reached that depth historically. Seems around 600 ft you have to use some speed to hold it steady, which can give you away. The thing is with that depth, you can usually hit flank and outrun charges before they reach you. You'll be glad you have it later war, take it to Formosa in 44, Korea Straits in 45.....think TMO has decent traffic there.

12-23-12, 10:49 PM	#1
strenface Watch Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 20 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	Balao and difficulty Hello all! Long time since I have been here or on Silent Hunter, but I decided to get back into it for a bit. I am in late 1942 and just received a new Balao class submarine. I have used it before, so I am quite familiar with its capabilities. I also have never used a submarine other than the Balao class past 1943. I just had a Tambor and really enjoyed the difficulty brought by a limited dive capability. I fear the Balao will make the game far too easy. Running TMO btw. I recall being able to drop to 600 feet and always getting away with minimal damage. That gets boring after a while. So what do you all think? Does the diving capabilities of the Balao make the game too easy? Or is deeper diving needed later in the war? I saved right before docking so I can easily go back and take a refit instead, or try for a Gato. __________________ You may encounter content deemed to be offensive, indecent, or objectionable, which may or may not be identified as containing: (a) vulgarity(b)inaccuracy(c)logical fallacy. You agree to read the above solely at your own risk. This poster assumes no liability regarding direct or indirect damages whatsoever, including but not limited to: (a)personal injury(b)butthurt(c)keyboard(d)marital disruption

12-23-12, 11:15 PM	#2
magic452 Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Reno Nevada USA Posts: 1,860 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	I usually go with a Gato till pretty late in the war. The truth be told once you figure out how to evade the escorts it gets a bit too easy till later than most of the traffic stays close to the coastlines. I shouldn't say too easy because you can always run into the elite DDs and the ones with all those ashcan throwers. Not so easy than. Magic __________________ Reported lost 11 Feb. 1942 Signature by depthtok33l

12-24-12, 10:34 PM	#4
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	It certainly reached that depth historically. Seems around 600 ft you have to use some speed to hold it steady, which can give you away. The thing is with that depth, you can usually hit flank and outrun charges before they reach you. You'll be glad you have it later war, take it to Formosa in 44, Korea Straits in 45.....think TMO has decent traffic there. __________________ You see my dog don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it.

12-24-12, 09:47 PM	#3
merc4ulfate DILLIGAF Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: florida Posts: 2,058 Downloads: 210 Uploads: 0	The later the year the more you need that depth. I only wish the seals and other areas of the submarine had the test depth the pressure had. Some pressure hulls were rated at 900 feet but the seals for shafts and such only went to 600.