[Help!] It's my first day.

[Jerik]

I've been lurking this forum for quite awhile, reading about SH4 and wanting to grab a copy. Now that I have a computer that can play it, I've been running the tutorials... and got a bit stuck.

I used assorted videos to learn manual TDC, so I'm alright and manually getting a solution (just alright-- I still need practice), but I'm stuck on the 4th training mission. I just don't understand what I'm supposed to do to get in range of the merchants. The destroyers always see and pound me.

So, I need help with the tactics of the approach. What is the theory behind convoy attacks? I've watched Legion's (Extremely helpful) tutorial on getting near something, but I'm looking for close-range escort evasion tactics. I'd greatly appreciate the help.

Thanks!

P.S. Bonus points to anyone who picks out the (oddly appropriate) Simpson's reference here.

[THE_MASK]

My advice is to forget that training mission . Go to the mods section and downlaod the RSRDC mod where you will get loads of war patrol missions and practice with those . Cheers .

[Jerik]

Awesome, I went and installed it, will get to work.

Thanks!

[Frame57]

I found the single missions to not be a great training ground. Simply because I found myself in a position i would not have approached a convoy to begin with. In the campaign if you mess it up you can start again. What works for me especially with a convoy or a task force once I have some intel via radar, sonar or radio. I knuckle around the convoy well past the radar ranges of the escorts. Place my boat in a good intercept position and I get under a thermal layer at all stop and go quiet. I let the escorts pass then it is up to PD and pick a nice juicy merchant. Sneaking past escorts is doable but there are some tricks to it and like a magician we cant give them all away, but you have one good startegy here I gave you to start. Part of the fun is learning by trial and error.

[Jerik]

New question:

I have two periscopes, the observation scope and the attack scope. I seem to be able to do TDC calculations and fire torps from either, however, so the distinction is lost on me. What is the purpose of two scopes, and when should I use one over the other?

[THE_MASK]

I never use the obs . The attack scope is skinnier and harder to spot and the obs scope can look right up where the attack cannot .

[gimpy117]

things Ive learned so far that are different from sh3
1) laying and wait stopped and silent; letting the convoy come to you works well
2) don't shoot at the aircraft, just dive
3) 300ft is about as deep as you ever have to go ( tested up to 1944)
4) radar is much more effective
5) you have sonar from day 1, use it
6) when you find aircraft contacts on the map dive immediately, you need all the time you can get

good hunting