My first mod, and a question.

[smilingmonkey]

Hi folks.

You might remember me from such introductory threads as 'Hello, I am new' and 'Hi there, i have no idea what I am doing'.

Anyway, I have just finished using my first mod for SH4 in the Pacific theatre. I have decided to go slowly with the mods as I have been having quite a few crashes with just the vanilla game. I actually uninstalled and reinstalled for the mods, so far it looks pretty smooth. I am trying to avoid overwriting saves as well. The last lot of crashes were always on approaching a fleet, or even a single ship after having loaded a previous save. Not all the time mind you, just enough to be painful.

Anyway. I have been studying the mods, and their threads. I have JSGME running and I have just finished a session with Improved Stock Environment v3 by Caustic and Traveller. The changes are really nice fellas, thanks.

Now, onto some questions for you fine, experienced crew.

I would like to know is there such a thing as a mod, even a mega mod which does not assume I am an expert navigator/weapons specialist. One that will allow me to produce my own learning curve in regards to firing solutions and navigating small island chains whilst being attacked by sub chasers and enjoying a light bombing? Or is it simply the case that, If I want an extensive revamp of the look of the sim I will need to buy a protractor and practice my calculus?

Plus...I have been watching you tube vids of guys playing, and their torpedoes/shells are leaving holes in the hulls of ships. I have not seen that in my experience yet. Is that a damage mod, or a technology upgrade I have not earned yet in regards to destructive weaponry? I always play the 1941 American career, so I wonder is it just a time thing? Though, tonight I did see a destroyer break in half as it sank. So that was great..well not for them I imagine, but it certainly was for me.

Anyway. I am loving the sim, despite it's age and apparent flaws. Any help you might have to offer would be appreciated in regards to my questions.

SM.

Edit: I have Uboat missions installed and patched up as well, so I think I am all good there. I do use the steam version (sorry), but my plan is to track down either a gold version on disc or whatever I can find for future playing.

[donna52522]

What type of mod are you looking for? Most make it harder since the vanilla game is so easy. TMO is a great supermod with options, but it is more difficult than the vanilla.

There are so many different things that you can do, it's all personal choice, basically, test and try.

If you have problems with that, people here can help you...if you give them info of your mod list.

[merc4ulfate]

yay Donna.

She is right too.

TMO can be set to still use auto tragetting.

The major thing is make sure you read documentation with every mod. Not all mods work well together and not all mods will work at all with some others.

Putting them in the order the creator says to out them in will save you grief as well.

[THEBERBSTER]

This is a good set of mods if you are starting out in SH4 as I am

I recommend Scaf with Max optics

Link below.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=126016

This is extremely accurate when using the ‘Stadimeter.

Each target has a ‘Hotspot’ in the ‘Recognition Manual’

Check out the ‘Readme’ that comes with the mod.

My mod list

Game Fixes Only Mod v1.1

New Orders Bar Menu

Webster's No Crew Fatigue

Webster's Improved US Torpedo v2

Magnified Hud Dials for v1.5_Large

Bigger Better Protractors

Extra Allied naval bases for Stock SH4 + UBM v3.0

Webster's Ship Manuvering Fix

3000 Yard Bearing Tool (1920x)

SCAF for SH 1.5

MaxOptics3 for SCAF 1.5

Webster's New sonar view for v1.5

Eye Patch for Stock

shSpeech

SOBERS COMPASS MOD VERSION COLOUR

Webster's Eliminate Floating Plankton

Webster's Upgraded Deck Gun v1

I only play at a 'medium ' level as I am fairly new to SH4 3rd Patrol

[TorpX]

I would agree with what donna said, most experienced players want mods that are more challenging, since stock is pretty easy.

Navigation isn't much of a consideration in the game, unless you are trying some kind of celestial navigation set up. This is very arduous, and 99% of players don't want to do this.

Firing solutions are another matter. Here, you have basically four choices:

1. Use auto-targeting.
This is the least demanding option, but does not necessarily produce the best results (in terms of sinkings).

2. Use manual targeting with map-contacts enabled.
This requires you to input the data into the TDC, but is made easier by having all the info from the charts provided 'free of charge', so to speak. Since the map-contacts information is error-free, you have a big advantage here.

3. Use manual targeting without map-contacts.
This is significantly different than option 2. You must follow the same steps as far as turning the dial and pushing the buttons, but have no easy, clear-cut chart references to go by. Some players experience a great deal of frustration with this, but it is not especially difficult, once you understand the relevant geometry. It is more work than the first two, however.

4. Use some kind of non-TDC method of your own.
This kind of style is potentially more work than the others and can involve elaborate calculations, tables, math, etc., etc. People who do this are usually experienced players.

If you are just getting started (or reacquainted) with SH4, I would advise using one of the first two, until you become familiar with the TDC and plot. In either case, you can pause the game at critical points, carefully examine the TDC readouts, and observe how the charts are tracking with the TDC data.

All the mega-mods allow for a variety of play styles and options.

[SilentPrey]

Some good advice here. I would only add that a Steam copy of the U-Boat expansion is as up to date and as mod-able as any other copy. Don't let the Steam haters make you spend more money.

[THEBERBSTER]

I am currently working on a SH4 tutorial for those who want to change from Auto to Manual TDC.

Peter

[smilingmonkey]

Thank you everyone for your kind replies and help. I have installed TMO and RSRD and a little mod for removing a bit of the plankton. They are quite stable as far as I can tell. My game crashed more as vanilla I know that much. I find the lower number of ships to be interesting, it makes finding one a special event, and I am getting to know the routes pretty well.

The difference from vanilla is huge, and I was finding it a bit easy with all the realism turned way down. But I have to say, I do love the cinema of the game. Plus, there is just something creepy about watching a ship sink whilst listening to some '40s top ten.

My first real campaign is under way, and I have just been given a brand new sub, and got to give medals to some of my crew. Which was nice. There are a couple of guys who really deserved it after the patrol I put them through. I did lose a man though, which is a shame.

All in all, I am loving it.

[merc4ulfate]

Steam= over expanded hot wet air ...

[smilingmonkey]

Well, I have been playing around with some more mods.

As previously stated I have been playing the wonderful TMO with RSRDC, Both mods would highly recommend. During this time I have also been experimenting with some smaller mods, changing the moon and such. I was looking for a smoke mod for burning ships. Not many of them to be found that equaled the idea of what I wanted. I think I found one today though.

The process was to uninstall TMO etc and muck about with environmental mods. I settled on Pacific Environment and Row. That is a beautiful collecion of work, and reading through the threads concerning the original modder and those who have followed was really lovely. Just amazing work, I am in awe of how it has made my game look.

I have DLed RFB and will give it a try with a combination of the environmental stuff which I like, and RSRDC.

All in all, I am very pleased with the strength of the modding community here, one day I will grab a copy of SH5 and use the advice in various threads to get it working.

Anyway, Cheers everyone who has modded for this sim. My hat is off to you all.