A collection of embarrassments

Nangleator · 02-10-11, 09:21 AM

New player, still getting used to the game, so cut me some slack!

I started four careers last night. First one was 1941, out of the Phillipines port. I had only traveled part way up the west coast when I detected what was certainly an invasion task force. Sneaking at them on the surface, I got detected and dove deep. I decided do go a little below test depth, just to see what was possible. I only went 30 or so feet deeper, with no immediate effects. The destroyers were just sniffing around, so I got bored and used TC. Well, something started hurting me, and I was gone before I could do anything about it. Not sure if it was cumulative time spent too deep, or if they were dropping cans on me. Career over in hours.

Next career, just a few miles later, a similar task force. I got under them, past the 8 destroyers and into the group of transports, and the military ships must have sniffed me, because they never got very far away from me. I fired off all six tubes and got down low without triggering aggressive behavior, and my fish hit nothing. I grew impatient with the career at that point, since I realized I hadn't tuned the realism settings to my liking before starting anyway... so I quit and started over.

Next patrol, in '42, out of Pearl, I decided to top off at Midway, and on the way out, I got bounced by a big pack of Bettys. June 19th? Bettys at Midway? I figured they were friendly until the attacks started. I had some damage but survived. Couldn't manage damage control. I guess I have to crack open the manual PDF, if there is one. I couldn't tell if repairs were being done at all. Not intuitive. Some of the crew I dragged into the damage party were sleeping.

I'm on my fourth patrol now, and I'll be serious about this one. No fiddling with airplanes. I'll stay away from 8-destroyer convoys. I'll go easy on TC when I'm in a dangerous situation. I don't do manual targeting yet. Not until I'm more familiar with this game.

TorpX · 02-10-11, 06:35 PM

I feel your pain.

I've had careers end in a very unsatisfying manner as well. One, on my 4th patrol, after being at sea for 2 months and only finding one ship (but countless planes), decided to return to base. On the way back, I dived to PS depth to evade another aircraft. Kaboom! Career over. Should have gone deep. That really hurt; I had what I consider a pretty good tonnage (for a S-boat). Next career, I depart Manila before the Pearl Harbor attack. I am trying to master celestial navigation and dead reckoning as I cruise toward the Luzon Str. War breaks out and again a plane flys out of the clouds and blows me up while I'm at PS depth. I never even saw a Japanese ship. Honestly, I was so frustrated with the dead reckoning business, that I really didn't care that much about the career.

You can be sure, that I'm very careful about aircraft now.

BTW, are you playing vanilla? If so, you should consider using one of the supermods.

Nangleator · 02-10-11, 10:45 PM

Still playing vanilla 1.5. I want to know what I'm improving when I improve it.

Also, I die after a 4-hour career and you want me to play against smarter destroyers?!

magic452 · 02-11-11, 02:49 AM

With TMO and a little luck I believe that we could get your career under TWO hours.

Magic

Mescator · 02-11-11, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nangleator

Still playing vanilla 1.5. I want to know what I'm improving when I improve it.

Also, I die after a 4-hour career and you want me to play against smarter destroyers?!

Haha, in all seriousness mate, your better off cutting your teeth and getting into good Habits. TMO Destroyers are hard, but evadable. You just need to learn the ins and outs, of which there's quite a few threads around here teaching that. Thats my opinion anyway.

TMO also adds a lot of cool stuff aside from difficulty and RSRD Will remove **** like bettys next to Midway. If your still not sold on TMO's difficulty, there's a version called TMO With training wheels, which cuts back the effectiveness of Destroyers. Regardless, dear god mod the game. It's a much better experience.

Hylander_1314 · 02-11-11, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mescator

Haha, in all seriousness mate, your better off cutting your teeth and getting into good Habits. TMO Destroyers are hard, but evadable. You just need to learn the ins and outs, of which there's quite a few threads around here teaching that. Thats my opinion anyway.

TMO also adds a lot of cool stuff aside from difficulty and RSRD Will remove **** like bettys next to Midway. If your still not sold on TMO's difficulty, there's a version called TMO With training wheels, which cuts back the effectiveness of Destroyers. Regardless, dear god mod the game. It's a much better experience.

Absolutely! TMO is sooooooooooo much better than vanilla. But if you insist on playing vanilla, at least use the GFO Mod, (Game Fixes Only), as even that helps make the vanilla version a bit more bearable.

tomoose · 02-11-11, 09:52 AM

Apart from the mods/fixes you need to exercise some patience. Use TC for crossing the wide expanse of the ocean primarily. Do NOT use TC when you are in harm's way (as you found out). TC compresses a lot more than just time if you use it carelessly.

Your sub operates best by stealth and surprise, lose that and you pay a price. There are many posts on tactics etc which will help you become a better skipper.

As mentioned, get away fm the vanilla game as soon as you can and get one of the superb mods (TMO or RFB) combined with RSRD. You'll appreciate the difference.

Hylander_1314 · 02-11-11, 11:03 AM

Yep, absolutely toomoose.

TC can be used with enemy vessels around, but I never go higher than I think 16 or 32 at most while submerged, and that's after having this game for 5 years now.

While shadowing a Convoy, or a Task Force, I never go over 8 on the TC, but that is only after I have tracked the ship movements, and destroyer escort patterns, and stay almost out of visual range of the targets. I stay right on the edge of losing them in either an extended scope on the surface or the TBT from the bridge.

When under DC attack, I never use TC, unless I have made a decent escape, and just want to quickly put some distance between me and the DDs / DEs. But even that is very very low on the TC scale.

Again though, I've had SH4 for a long time, and after getting used to what to expect, you can, with relative caution, push things a little. But also be ready to react to the unexpected. It happens.

Dogfish40 · 02-11-11, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hylander_1314

Absolutely! TMO is sooooooooooo much better than vanilla. But if you insist on playing vanilla, at least use the GFO Mod, (Game Fixes Only), as even that helps make the vanilla version a bit more bearable.

Can you give me a idea what GFO does exactly and where I can get the mod? I haven't run across it yet but I'd like to see what that one does.
Thanks in advance
D40

Dogfish40 · 02-11-11, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nangleator

New player, still getting used to the game, so cut me some slack!

I'm on my fourth patrol now, and I'll be serious about this one. No fiddling with airplanes. I'll stay away from 8-destroyer convoys. I'll go easy on TC when I'm in a dangerous situation. I don't do manual targeting yet. Not until I'm more familiar with this game.

Welcome aboard
I'm still playing a bit of vanilla and I'm still learning everything I can about tracking with Hydrophones, I really like the Hydrophones. I had a DD kill my last boat by using a touch of TC (on the way to Honshu) and the DD must have heard me somehow (I was submerged/daylight) and snuck up behind me at 180' where my SO missed him, or didn't report him anyway. It was a good carrier up in smoke, (3 patrols and a Gato upgrade). Thats what makes the game fun! ...I think...
Good Hunting

D40

Hylander_1314 · 02-11-11, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogfish40

Can you give me a idea what GFO does exactly and where I can get the mod? I haven't run across it yet but I'd like to see what that one does.
Thanks in advance
D40

GFO, Game Fixes Only Mega Mod by Webster.

Here's a link to the download section so you can see what it's about, and download if you wish.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=151796

Hope this helps!

TorpX · 02-11-11, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nangleator

Still playing vanilla 1.5. I want to know what I'm improving when I improve it.

Also, I die after a 4-hour career and you want me to play against smarter destroyers?!

There are too many improvements to list. I can't tell you all the differences, since I bailed out on the stock game quickly. Most don't use stock for very long. When you decide to install some mods, use the JSGME installer, it will make the task much easier, and allow you to reverse any changes later. IMO, the game would be nearly unplayable, were it not for all the work the modders have done.

If you are worried about smarter DD's, consider using RFB. It doesn't have the reputation for tough escorts. I'm playing with RFB-RSRDC in Dec. '41 and the escorts are very green (as they should be). Naturally, they will improve over time.

Nangleator · 02-11-11, 02:08 PM

Okay, thanks for the tips! I'll try that. I've already downloaded the mod-loader.

Nangleator · 02-12-11, 12:55 PM

Downloaded and installed.

Hey! The water's blue!

Hey! Enemy aircraft make sense now!

Hey... I don't have air search radar. That's downright dangerous.

Hey, those flying boats are dangerous.

Hey! The radio isn't going off constantly about movements eight thousand miles away!

Hey! My deck gun is awesome!

Hey... where are all the ships?

Hey, don't try to oppose the landing at the Northwest corner of Java. Not enough ocean there to cover the boat.

TorpX · 02-12-11, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nangleator

Hey... I don't have air search radar. That's downright dangerous.

Hey, those flying boats are dangerous.

Yup.

02-10-11, 09:21 AM	#1
Nangleator Mate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Billerica Posts: 58 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	A collection of embarrassments New player, still getting used to the game, so cut me some slack! I started four careers last night. First one was 1941, out of the Phillipines port. I had only traveled part way up the west coast when I detected what was certainly an invasion task force. Sneaking at them on the surface, I got detected and dove deep. I decided do go a little below test depth, just to see what was possible. I only went 30 or so feet deeper, with no immediate effects. The destroyers were just sniffing around, so I got bored and used TC. Well, something started hurting me, and I was gone before I could do anything about it. Not sure if it was cumulative time spent too deep, or if they were dropping cans on me. Career over in hours. Next career, just a few miles later, a similar task force. I got under them, past the 8 destroyers and into the group of transports, and the military ships must have sniffed me, because they never got very far away from me. I fired off all six tubes and got down low without triggering aggressive behavior, and my fish hit nothing. I grew impatient with the career at that point, since I realized I hadn't tuned the realism settings to my liking before starting anyway... so I quit and started over. Next patrol, in '42, out of Pearl, I decided to top off at Midway, and on the way out, I got bounced by a big pack of Bettys. June 19th? Bettys at Midway? I figured they were friendly until the attacks started. I had some damage but survived. Couldn't manage damage control. I guess I have to crack open the manual PDF, if there is one. I couldn't tell if repairs were being done at all. Not intuitive. Some of the crew I dragged into the damage party were sleeping. I'm on my fourth patrol now, and I'll be serious about this one. No fiddling with airplanes. I'll stay away from 8-destroyer convoys. I'll go easy on TC when I'm in a dangerous situation. I don't do manual targeting yet. Not until I'm more familiar with this game.

02-10-11, 06:35 PM	#2
TorpX Silent Hunter Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 3,975 Downloads: 153 Uploads: 11	I feel your pain. I've had careers end in a very unsatisfying manner as well. One, on my 4th patrol, after being at sea for 2 months and only finding one ship (but countless planes), decided to return to base. On the way back, I dived to PS depth to evade another aircraft. Kaboom! Career over. Should have gone deep. That really hurt; I had what I consider a pretty good tonnage (for a S-boat). Next career, I depart Manila before the Pearl Harbor attack. I am trying to master celestial navigation and dead reckoning as I cruise toward the Luzon Str. War breaks out and again a plane flys out of the clouds and blows me up while I'm at PS depth. I never even saw a Japanese ship. Honestly, I was so frustrated with the dead reckoning business, that I really didn't care that much about the career. You can be sure, that I'm very careful about aircraft now. BTW, are you playing vanilla? If so, you should consider using one of the supermods.

02-11-11, 02:49 AM	#4
magic452 Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Reno Nevada USA Posts: 1,860 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	With TMO and a little luck I believe that we could get your career under TWO hours. Magic __________________ Reported lost 11 Feb. 1942 Signature by depthtok33l

02-11-11, 09:52 AM	#7
tomoose Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 930 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	Patience, patience, patience Apart from the mods/fixes you need to exercise some patience. Use TC for crossing the wide expanse of the ocean primarily. Do NOT use TC when you are in harm's way (as you found out). TC compresses a lot more than just time if you use it carelessly. Your sub operates best by stealth and surprise, lose that and you pay a price. There are many posts on tactics etc which will help you become a better skipper. As mentioned, get away fm the vanilla game as soon as you can and get one of the superb mods (TMO or RFB) combined with RSRD. You'll appreciate the difference.

02-11-11, 11:03 AM	#8
Hylander_1314 Sea Lord Join Date: May 2006 Location: 5 Miles Inland West Of Lake Huron Posts: 1,936 Downloads: 139 Uploads: 0	Yep, absolutely toomoose. TC can be used with enemy vessels around, but I never go higher than I think 16 or 32 at most while submerged, and that's after having this game for 5 years now. While shadowing a Convoy, or a Task Force, I never go over 8 on the TC, but that is only after I have tracked the ship movements, and destroyer escort patterns, and stay almost out of visual range of the targets. I stay right on the edge of losing them in either an extended scope on the surface or the TBT from the bridge. When under DC attack, I never use TC, unless I have made a decent escape, and just want to quickly put some distance between me and the DDs / DEs. But even that is very very low on the TC scale. Again though, I've had SH4 for a long time, and after getting used to what to expect, you can, with relative caution, push things a little. But also be ready to react to the unexpected. It happens. __________________ A legislative act contrary to the Constitution is not law. -John Marshall Chief Justice of the Supreme Court ---------------------

02-10-11, 10:45 PM	#3
Nangleator Mate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Billerica Posts: 58 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Still playing vanilla 1.5. I want to know what I'm improving when I improve it. Also, I die after a 4-hour career and you want me to play against smarter destroyers?!

02-11-11, 02:08 PM	#13
Nangleator Mate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Billerica Posts: 58 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Okay, thanks for the tips! I'll try that. I've already downloaded the mod-loader.

02-12-11, 12:55 PM	#14
Nangleator Mate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Billerica Posts: 58 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Downloaded and installed. Hey! The water's blue! Hey! Enemy aircraft make sense now! Hey... I don't have air search radar. That's downright dangerous. Hey, those flying boats are dangerous. Hey! The radio isn't going off constantly about movements eight thousand miles away! Hey! My deck gun is awesome! Hey... where are all the ships? Hey, don't try to oppose the landing at the Northwest corner of Java. Not enough ocean there to cover the boat.