Campaign?

[Juliano]

Sorry if this topic already exists
But, something is getting me worried

You see, I did not buy the game yet (after reading every review I could fidn, I´m gonna wait for more patches and/or mods before I buy, I´m kinda afraid to spend money on something I´ll probably get frustrated)

I´ve been seeing some screenies and videos and noticed 2 things

1 - Lack of KM grid (total immersion killer for me)
2 - Unhistorical campaign (don´t know for sure)

Related to point 2, I want to know if there is a campaign sistem like SH3 that is based on patrol duty (go to "X" grid and patrol for enemy shipping for "y" ordered time)
I know I could allways ignore BDU orders and patrol anywhere I want but it feels just so wrong (It really kills immersion)

Also, I wonder if the modders will be able to mod the missions, kinda implementing the "old stile" and more historical patrol routine.
I´m also concerned about the legality of such modding, since (from what I readed here) the only thing that´s keeping pirates form total success in cracking the game is the fact that you need to be conected to UBI in order to play the missions.

Any thoughs anyone?
Best regards

[McHibbins]

Yes, imho besides all bugs and missing ships, the campaign is one of the worst things in SH5. It´s far away from SH3 or 4´s freedom, it´s more like SH2

The death blow is, for example, that you have to sink 50k tons to go further on in these campaign. Those things are preventing me for playing it again after once finished it.

[ParaB]

1.) Yes, there's no KM grid system in SH5.

2.) The campaign is IMO actually quite well done, you still patrol the seas like in SH3, though now with more focussed overall (historical) objectives and the odd 'special mission' (agent delivery, harbour recon) every now and then.

3.) The online DRM system has nothing to do with mods, it doesn't prevent you from using them.

[Vikinger]

The campaign is divided into different sections.

You dont need to complete the subsections to unlock the next section however the game tells you it wll be a bit more difficult further on if you fail to meet the objectives for a section.

A section can have 3- different goals you need to archive in a specific time. Let say one of them is to sink 100.000 grt in an area before then 1 juli 1940. If you manage to do that you get accomplish points (small stars) and your ultimate goal is to get as many stars as possible for the german side to to get an advantage.

When all timeframes are reached , no matter if you failed or succesful the germans goal, you will be moving on to next section.

Each mission you take can have a micro sub goal also. Like spy insertion. Photo reccon etc. like it was in sh4.

Only problem i have whit this sections goal is that its hard to find some specific targets. Like to sink an carrier. And do that before the time frame comes to an end or els you will fail that mission. But like i said, the war will move on no matter how succesful you are but to what cost i dont know, eg if the game gets harder if you fail.

[Juliano]

Well....
Guess I´ll be missing the "ol good patroll mission"
I really liked going to my patroll grid, allways wondering what will happen and all...
Now BDU gives me SPECIFIC orders? How they know the friggin carrier is still there? Does germany have air superiority to spare lots of recon aircraft to those areas (while having to use lots more planes to conquer europe)? I´m pretty sure I´m missing something here...

oh, by the way, sorry ´bout my english... it´s realy rusty

EDIT: I though, historicaly, u-boats where given ONLY patroll areas. Even in operations like the invasion of Norway u-boats where given patrol grids to intercept any brit ship in order to stall a counter offensive/expedicionay force. Whith the exception of the landings of comandos in operation drumbeat (Do not remember precisely)
Please correct me if I´m wrong

EDIT2: In the case of SPECIFIC orders, I think the only cases were when BDU coordinated wolfpacks or asked for info on weather or orders to shadow a given convoy.

[RSColonel_131st]

I'm not quite getting the campaign system yet...

Does this mean campaign missions/encounters are strictly scripted, as in "You will intercept carrier X at this point Y"?

Or is it a dynamic environment (as in SH3 and SH4) with some scripted "special missions" thrown in?

Can you simple start a "patrol" and roam the seas for a month? Or is it always "go here, do that, then you can procced?"

[Vikinger]

It is a dynamic like in sh4 but whit scripted parts.

If you are order to find and sink a carrier. You never know when and where it will turn up. But you must stay at the designated patrol area to get credits for the kill. It wont work to go to US an sink an carrier there for an exampel.

Ive just started my second campaign part that is called Happy times.
When i talked to the chif in the harbor for mission breifing i can choose 3 designated patrol areas whit different goals.

Each of thos 3 patrol areas have also a time limit.

Atm iam doing a mission called patrol the british coastline.
And my overall goal is to sink 100.000grt whit in the time frame. i think i have about 5 or 6 months to do so.

When i select the mission from the chief i also get an side goal.
In this case it was just to patrol a smaller area and engage any merchants there, just like it is whit the missions in sh3 and 4.

I just sank an victory cargo ship for about 7700 grt and now my side mission is completed.
I can choose to stay and do my main mission and try to reach the goal of 100.000 grt or return to port and select 1 of thos 3 head mission again or refit etc.

The overall goal is to be victories in thos 3 main mission before the time frame is ended up.

if you finish all 3 before the time ends up, il guess you can just do free roaming missions untill next campaign part kicks in at a certain date.

Basicly the only thing that have changed is that you now have a few more long time goals to archive before you unlock next campaing part that gives you more main missions and long term goals. other than that the missions are the same as in sh4.

And even if you want to roam free around and just ignore thos main missions, as a result you will fail them, you can do so.
But i dont know the consiquenses to fail thos missions. perhaps you will miss that upgrade for your boat or get a new boat. perhaps the enemy will be stronger etc.


Here is the names of the main campaigns you will face during the war. Number represent year and some of them are at same year and that means you can also choose in what campaign theatre you want to fight.

TotalGermany39
Happytimes40
Marenostrum41
WesternApproaches41
Arcticconvoys41
Mediterrana42
Operationdrumbeat42
BlackPit42
DistantWaters42
BlackMay43

[RSColonel_131st]

Thanks, now it makes more sense and sounds actually interesting.

[bigboywooly]

Nice summary
Of course you can change the missions parameters if you want
Lower the tonnage needed etc
Playing a heavily modded SH3 may get you a 100k quick enough but a struggle on SH5