SUBSIM Radio Room Forums



SUBSIM: The Web's #1 resource for all submarine & naval simulations since 1997

Go Back   SUBSIM Radio Room Forums > Silent Hunter 3 - 4 - 5 > Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific
Forget password? Reset here

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-23-11, 01:09 AM   #1
Commander Klank
Swabbie
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Killeen Texas (Ft Hood)
Posts: 13
Downloads: 2
Uploads: 0
Default New skipper has a few questions...

Greetings all,
I’ve been playing SH4 ver1.4 for about a week now. I did the sub school, ran a few missions and I’m in the campaign mod; so far I’ve managed to survive two patrols including an encounter with three destroyers that just stayed on my butt for about 4 hours play time, they were good… but not good enough.
While my realism settings aren’t very high so far I’ve sank one destroyer, a huge passenger ship (escorted by the fore mentioned three destroyers) and 8 freighters. I love the game and eventually I’d like to play with more difficult settings.
Anyways I have a few questions regarding tactics and game play.

1. Is there a button you can push that would erase all your plotted way points off your map at once?


2. The torpedo spread gauge: Are the left and right readings the direction the torpedo veers from you point of aim? For example it the target is moving to the left across my scope do I want to shoot one torpedo at zero and another torpedo a few degrees left as a lead?


3. Is there a way to change the load of deck gun ammo on your sub while in port, like add more HE and less AP. And can you reload rounds from a sub tender should you find one while on patrol? (If not that would be a cool mod).


4. On freighters and tankers are there areas of the ship where it’s better to use AP vs HE rounds?


5. Armed freighters: can you suppress or destroy the enemy gun crews with the AA gun? I’ve fired at the gun castles and machine gun positions when I’m close enough to see them and it doesn’t seem to have any effect on them.


6. The “D” area in front of most destroyers and sub chasers on the map, is that their sonar range and area of coverage? Run silent buts you at 1/3 speed, can I go faster outside the “D” shaped sonar area; especially if they don’t know I’m around?


7. Last; is there a screen capture button?

Thanks in advance.

Tonight I start my third patrol. I can’t wait.

Commander Klank
Commander Klank is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-11, 01:57 AM   #2
magic452
Sea Lord
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Reno Nevada USA
Posts: 1,860
Downloads: 85
Uploads: 0
Default

Welcome to the boat mate.

1) to erase the way points, the best you can do is go to the first way point and click it and then make a second way point right next to it, that will remove all other way points. The eraser tool will get rid of these. You can click and drag any of the way points by clicking and drag.
To remove all other marks on the map, hold the control key and click on the eraser.

2) The gyro angle offset dial (spread dial) will move the torpedo track left or right from your point of aim. Your example is correct. the angle is very range dependent so the longer the range the less gyro angle you need.
This can be set in 1/2 degrees.

3) You can refit at any base that shows an anchor symbol and that will refuel as well as rearm you torpedoes and guns. Later in the game there are resupply ships at some locations but none that will come to you.
The load out is always the same as far as ammo types. A bit further into the war and you'll not be using the deck gun all that much as all the merchants will be armed and you'll be risking your boat and crew.

4) HE works best for me, aim at the water line. AP is OK when you run out of HE.

5) I haven't had any luck suppressing fire with anything but some have set off the DC on the escorts with the 40MM.

6) I haven't played stock in 3 years so I really don't know for sure what lines mean anymore but I think it is sonar range. Best advice is to Run Silent and Run Deep, also will add Run Slow. It's really a matter of experience yours as well as the escorts, they get better as the war goes on.

7) Control "F11" takes screen shots, they are saved to you main SH4 game folder as bitmaps.

Just as a note your post has black font and most here use the smart dark gray background so black type is difficult to read, you can set to smart dark on bottom of the SH4 main page.


Good luck and good hunting.

Magic
__________________

Reported lost 11 Feb. 1942
Signature by depthtok33l
magic452 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-11, 08:33 AM   #3
Commander Klank
Swabbie
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Killeen Texas (Ft Hood)
Posts: 13
Downloads: 2
Uploads: 0
Default

Got another question:

In the campaign my home port has been overrun by the Japanese and the port symbol is gone. I've gone to other bases but they wont let me end the mission, all they offer is refit and my hull is getting pretty shot up. I even went to Pearl Harbor... I haven't gotten a message assigning me a new base that I know of.

What gives?
Commander Klank is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-11, 09:07 AM   #4
razark
Ocean Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,731
Downloads: 393
Uploads: 12
Default

There should be one with a tilted anchor symbol. Look for that one, it's your new home port.
__________________
"Never ask a World War II history buff for a 'final solution' to your problem!"
razark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-11, 09:21 AM   #5
Dogfish40
Ace of the Deep
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: LA Area, Central coast, California
Posts: 1,023
Downloads: 827
Uploads: 0
Default

Ahoy Commander
Your new base will have a "Tilted Anchor", whereas all the other bases will have a vertical anchor.
A couple of extra notes regarding your questions (Magic answered them to a tee) however, regarding ammo types, HE (High Explosive) I save this stuff for causing havoc. It packs more stopping power when your in desperate sits. AP (armor piercing) rounds will be good (as Magic stated) for putting good sized holes in the enemy.
Sub Tenders, I'm not sure if Johnston atoll (south of Midway) is available in 1.4 but if it is, you can refit there or anywhere there is an anchor during a patrol. If you can, upgrade to 1.5 ASAP as there are many bases added as well as countless other add-ons. Don't forget to go through the downloads section of this site and look for Mods for 1.4 (Graphic, Gameplay, and Sound). If your CP can handle a bit more, you'll want to try some.
Good Hunting and welcome aboard!!
D40
__________________
Dogfish40
Dogfish40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-11, 12:05 PM   #6
magic452
Sea Lord
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Reno Nevada USA
Posts: 1,860
Downloads: 85
Uploads: 0
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Commander Klank View Post
Got another question:

In the campaign my home port has been overrun by the Japanese and the port symbol is gone. I've gone to other bases but they wont let me end the mission, all they offer is refit and my hull is getting pretty shot up. I even went to Pearl Harbor... I haven't gotten a message assigning me a new base that I know of.

What gives?
You will no doubt find the tilted anchor at Surabaya on Java or Fremantal Australia. Sometimes you have to wait a bit as the game is slow to show your new base.

Magic
__________________

Reported lost 11 Feb. 1942
Signature by depthtok33l
magic452 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-11, 12:19 PM   #7
Sailor Steve
Eternal Patrol
 
Sailor Steve's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: High in the mountains of Utah
Posts: 50,369
Downloads: 745
Uploads: 249


Default

To clear the map, hold Shift and click on any waypoint. At least that's the way it works for me with OM. When you click on the Eraser it says hold Ctrl, and it may work that way in Stock, RFB and TMO, I don't know.
__________________
“Never do anything you can't take back.”
—Rocky Russo
Sailor Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-11, 10:39 PM   #8
Commander Klank
Swabbie
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Killeen Texas (Ft Hood)
Posts: 13
Downloads: 2
Uploads: 0
Default

Thanks guys... found my new home port and will look into 1.5. That***8217;s not really a patch is it? It's actually an add on to the game you have to buy correct?

On a campaign update last night I snuck into Ribual harbor at night and sunk a tanker, a freighter, and two gun boats. On the way back out I got detected and got into a fight with the two sentry destroyers. I had like 12 feet of water under me at periscope depth which resulted in one of the most exciting (and desperate) torpedo attacks of the game so far. Using my last stern torpedo I managed to sink a charging destroyer that was so close when I hit it the dam thing almost sunk on top of me. That was intense***8230; What saved me in that encounter was that I***8217;ve learned about opening torpedo bay doors on selected torpedoes so you launch quicker when you need to, making sure the speed dial is set right, high speed in this case, and setting the spread at zero. I***8217;m sure also the fact that I managed to get a 180 degree heading on him helped.

What a game***8230; I was so excited I screwed up taking a picture of the bow section sinking to the bottom right next to my stern as I chugged away. Wish I could have shared that with you guys.
Commander Klank is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-11, 08:49 AM   #9
commandosolo2009
Grey Wolf
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Egypt
Posts: 840
Downloads: 132
Uploads: 0
Default



Quote:

1. Is there a button you can push that would erase all your plotted way points off your map at once?


Welcome aboard, sailor!! No there isnt. you have to delete each waypoint manually using the eraser, and of course you can get a new waypoint after a selected one, by clicking on current waypoint (turns red) the clicking on desired position for WP on map.


Quote:
2. The torpedo spread gauge: Are the left and right readings the direction the torpedo veers from you point of aim? For example it the target is moving to the left across my scope do I want to shoot one torpedo at zero and another torpedo a few degrees left as a lead?


Correct. To learn more, try firing some at the beaches of Pearl on a measured range, and see the degree/impact on the scope.


Quote:

3. Is there a way to change the load of deck gun ammo on your sub while in port, like add more HE and less AP. And can you reload rounds from a sub tender should you find one while on patrol? (If not that would be a cool mod).



No. You may use the available ordnance. For tender, yes, not only rounds but torpedoes as well.

4. On freighters and tankers are there areas of the ship where it***8217;s better to use AP vs HE rounds? [/QUOTE]

While its advised to get a hang of the periscope reticles over ship (means vertical markings placed on the target would show critical areas for your hits. Notably, the stack, the masts, and the after superstructure (loading deck), are key points. If you want to immobilize the ship, aim for under his waterline aft, where the shells hurled would finish his propellers.

Quote:

5. Armed freighters: can you suppress or destroy the enemy gun crews with the AA gun? I***8217;ve fired at the gun castles and machine gun positions when I***8217;m close enough to see them and it doesn***8217;t seem to have any effect on them.

Only HE/AP shells (large caliber) will do the trick, nevermind the in-game description.

Quote:

6. The ***8220;D***8221; area in front of most destroyers and sub chasers on the map, is that their sonar range and area of coverage? Run silent buts you at 1/3 speed, can I go faster outside the ***8220;D***8221; shaped sonar area; especially if they don***8217;t know I***8217;m around?


A destroyers weak spot is behind. He cant hear you if your aft of him since his propellers block the hydrophone. So if you want to floor it, yes, be behind him and make it so...

Quote:


7. Last; is there a screen capture button?


Ctrl + F11 or F8 (fps?) try and see, but resolutions above 1024 x 768 will produce corrupt screenshots. Better get fraps and snap as you please...


Carry on..



__________________
x.com/lexatnews
commandosolo2009 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-01-11, 11:39 AM   #10
f4wildweasel
Seaman
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 40
Downloads: 48
Uploads: 0
Default

with destroyers on stock, the "D" is their active sonar (the pinging part) which doesn't really care how fast you're going. The part that looks like a giant pac-man is their passive sonar (this is the guy that can hear you and you need to watch your speed) and covers a much larger area than the active (also be aware that later in the war Japanese merchants start to equip the passive sonar and if they hear you will begin zig-zagging before you ever fire a shot.) It's wide open in the back because the sound of their own engines would drown out a submarine's electric motors struggling to keep 8 knots, which is why you'll see them suddenly making these big wide sweeping turns when they're on patrol or escort duty. Then you have the full circles that stretch out even further. If there's one, it's how far they can typically see (though this varies with weather and their skill). Two circles means the ship is equipped with radar and if you're on the surface chances are it already knows you're there, so good luck!
f4wildweasel is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:36 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 1995- 2025 Subsim®
"Subsim" is a registered trademark, all rights reserved.