Holy Cow no contacts is hard!

maillemaker · 06-17-13, 08:42 AM

So I have been playing my latest campaign with 100% realism including no map contacts. In GWX, you can get 100% realism listed even with map contacts on. This time I decided to go absolute 100%.

Holy cow it's hard! I had not realized how "video gamish" I had been playing the sim. I had been basically driving my sub from the map screen, making perfect interceptions and perfectly dodging escorts and even shooting circling escorts from the TDC map screen!

Now all that is gone. I now have to do all my maneuvering from the bridge or through the periscope - just like real captains did!

I'm having a tough time estimating ranges. I still rely on my watch officer to give me range and bearings for plotting on the map manually.

Same for speed - I used to just make a mark on their nose at zero second and 3:15 to accurately determine speed. Can't do that anymore.

My tonnages have dropped dramatically. Hits, especially beyond 1000m, are no longer a guarantee. I think my hit rate has dropped to about 50%, when I was up to 80% or better.

If you thought manual TDC was hard (it's nothing), try no map updates!

Steve

flag4 · 06-17-13, 11:34 AM

...you're basically blind - I've tried it twice and given up twice.

...though I may try again when next in port....

Obltn Strand · 06-17-13, 12:20 PM

Never played with map contacts on.

Your accuracy sounds about right. When engaging lone targets I always fire torpedoes inside 1000m range. That way hit is nearly always quarnteed if toprpedo doesn't malfunction of course. Wish I could do same with convoys.

Canovaro · 06-18-13, 03:43 AM

Don't worry, once you find a method you like, it will be routine soon.
And you will make 100% hits again.

teapot156 · 06-20-13, 03:41 AM

It's tough. Make sure you have a good gui installed that gives you a lot of tools.

e.g.
WideScreen MaGui v3.4 (add-on MaGui v3.4)
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=175278

vanjast · 06-21-13, 09:40 AM

With 100%.. you start thinking like a Captain. Convoy attacks are the most interesting

06-17-13, 08:42 AM	#1
maillemaker Sea Lord Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,639 Downloads: 75 Uploads: 0	Holy Cow no contacts is hard! So I have been playing my latest campaign with 100% realism including no map contacts. In GWX, you can get 100% realism listed even with map contacts on. This time I decided to go absolute 100%. Holy cow it's hard! I had not realized how "video gamish" I had been playing the sim. I had been basically driving my sub from the map screen, making perfect interceptions and perfectly dodging escorts and even shooting circling escorts from the TDC map screen! Now all that is gone. I now have to do all my maneuvering from the bridge or through the periscope - just like real captains did! I'm having a tough time estimating ranges. I still rely on my watch officer to give me range and bearings for plotting on the map manually. Same for speed - I used to just make a mark on their nose at zero second and 3:15 to accurately determine speed. Can't do that anymore. My tonnages have dropped dramatically. Hits, especially beyond 1000m, are no longer a guarantee. I think my hit rate has dropped to about 50%, when I was up to 80% or better. If you thought manual TDC was hard (it's nothing), try no map updates! Steve

06-17-13, 11:34 AM	#2
flag4 Watch Officer Join Date: May 2007 Location: as far away as possible Posts: 1,625 Downloads: 147 Uploads: 0	...you're basically blind - I've tried it twice and given up twice. ...though I may try again when next in port.... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] ' We are here on Earth to fart around. Don't let anybody tell you any different.' Kurt Vonnegut

06-17-13, 12:20 PM	#3
Obltn Strand Commodore Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 614 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 0	Never played with map contacts on. Your accuracy sounds about right. When engaging lone targets I always fire torpedoes inside 1000m range. That way hit is nearly always quarnteed if toprpedo doesn't malfunction of course. Wish I could do same with convoys. __________________ Himmel, sukeltakaa!

06-18-13, 03:43 AM	#4
Canovaro Ace of the Deep Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,062 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	Don't worry, once you find a method you like, it will be routine soon. And you will make 100% hits again.

06-20-13, 03:41 AM	#5
teapot156 Watch Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Deland, Fl Posts: 25 Downloads: 103 Uploads: 0	It's tough. Make sure you have a good gui installed that gives you a lot of tools. e.g. WideScreen MaGui v3.4 (add-on MaGui v3.4) http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=175278

06-21-13, 09:40 AM	#6
vanjast Sea Lord Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somewhere else now Posts: 1,733 Downloads: 825 Uploads: 4	With 100%.. you start thinking like a Captain. Convoy attacks are the most interesting