Kudos to the RFB team

jazzabilly · 12-30-08, 03:09 AM

Just started playing RFB 1.4 with the original SH4; expecting U Boat missions sometime over the next couple of weeks. The game is so much better; despite the whiffle bat that is the deck gun (I did manage to help a ship sink with it; it prob. would have sunk anyway), it is way more interesting, not ringing up U-Boat sized tonnage #'s, but had some white knuckle moments.

Also the most spectacular sinking I have ever delivered; stalked a troopship convoy, and thought that I was out of good position - I decided to line up an Akizuki DD as a consolation prize; then he switches course and deprives me of the shot. So I decided to go for the Troopship after all; managed three detonations out of 3 fired; she broke in two and a moment later, blew up rather spectacularly. Didn't expect to pull off a 3000 yd. shot in broad daylight. Poor bugger saw it coming too, and tried to turn into it. Not many survivors....

I wish I had taken a sceenie of the explosion; never seen anything like it, even in the hundreds of hours I have spent in my subs in SH3 & 4. Here she is, moments before she was blown to bits. One of her escorts actually collided with her fantail as it was bobbing about. I've never seen that before, either.

Too much fun!

Also kudos to the designers.

By the by - I have only seen one Jap. a/c in two patrols. I am pretty cautious, and am usually submerged during the day, but I have chased some convoys in daylight with nary a hostile a/c in sight.

Fish40 · 12-30-08, 06:54 AM

If you love 1.4, you won't be disappointed with 1.5. Adds the PE (pacific environment mod) and new sinking mechanics for merchant ships (they're still working on the warships). Read the first page of the RFB thread for a list of all the changes.

To further your experience, d/l the RSRD and OM mods. These mods rework the campaigns for fleet boats and u-boats for more historical accuracy. Just be sure to use the correct versions for RFB, as well as any patches that are required. Read the first page of the RSRD and OM mods for all the info, as well as mod install order.

Dogzero1 · 12-30-08, 01:39 PM

Except the lock on target function is not working in the latest RFB.

Cant wait until it does though.

For the mean time, I have gone back to 1.4.

BH · 12-30-08, 04:38 PM

I am having a real problem manually targeting w/o the map contacts. I am having trouble determining the targets course relative to mine. Any suggestions?

jazzabilly · 12-30-08, 08:04 PM

I use the marker to determine the target course relative to bearing and range. Then I use the stopwatch/chronometer to time 3 min. and make a second mark. That gives you both speed and course. Speed = 100's of yards divided by 10= speed in knots. i.e. 750 yds. in 3 min= speed of 7.5 kts.

I try to remain stationary while doing this; that should give you an accurate idea of his heading and speed.

The map update definitely makes things easier though.

AVGWarhawk · 12-30-08, 08:39 PM

I believe you should use the map update. It basically serves as your weapons officer/plot. Let's face it, it takes more than the captain to find and work a firing solution. Therefore, I believe the map update acts as if your crewman is making the plot and keeping the info for you to reference. Ain't no shame in your game if you use map update.

Fish40 · 12-31-08, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I believe you should use the map update. It basically serves as your weapons officer/plot. Let's face it, it takes more than the captain to find and work a firing solution. Therefore, I believe the map update acts as if your crewman is making the plot and keeping the info for you to reference. Ain't no shame in your game if you use map update.

The man has a point there!

Wilcke · 12-31-08, 11:41 AM

Yes, I use map update. There are many short comings to playing a sim solo where there was a team to do the real thing. Of course we have the Pause button which I use many a time to ask myself, " do I really want to carry out this attack". Be systematic, develop a pattern to how you collect data and then plan your approach carefully. In complete opposition to the fast paced PC titles many of us played or play this sub stuff is just slow and monotonous followed by some successes and some utter failures.

Happy Hunting!

12-30-08, 03:09 AM	#1
jazzabilly Planesman Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 186 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	Kudos to the RFB team Just started playing RFB 1.4 with the original SH4; expecting U Boat missions sometime over the next couple of weeks. The game is so much better; despite the whiffle bat that is the deck gun (I did manage to help a ship sink with it; it prob. would have sunk anyway), it is way more interesting, not ringing up U-Boat sized tonnage #'s, but had some white knuckle moments. Also the most spectacular sinking I have ever delivered; stalked a troopship convoy, and thought that I was out of good position - I decided to line up an Akizuki DD as a consolation prize; then he switches course and deprives me of the shot. So I decided to go for the Troopship after all; managed three detonations out of 3 fired; she broke in two and a moment later, blew up rather spectacularly. Didn't expect to pull off a 3000 yd. shot in broad daylight. Poor bugger saw it coming too, and tried to turn into it. Not many survivors.... I wish I had taken a sceenie of the explosion; never seen anything like it, even in the hundreds of hours I have spent in my subs in SH3 & 4. Here she is, moments before she was blown to bits. One of her escorts actually collided with her fantail as it was bobbing about. I've never seen that before, either. Too much fun! Also kudos to the designers. By the by - I have only seen one Jap. a/c in two patrols. I am pretty cautious, and am usually submerged during the day, but I have chased some convoys in daylight with nary a hostile a/c in sight. __________________ If it's a fair fight, then you didn't plan it properly. ==================================== Last edited by jazzabilly; 12-30-08 at 03:29 AM.

12-30-08, 01:39 PM	#3
Dogzero1 Bosun Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 62 Downloads: 54 Uploads: 0	Except the lock on target function is not working in the latest RFB. Cant wait until it does though. For the mean time, I have gone back to 1.4. __________________ Last edited by Dogzero1; 12-30-08 at 01:40 PM.

12-30-08, 08:04 PM	#5
jazzabilly Planesman Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 186 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	I use the marker to determine the target course relative to bearing and range. Then I use the stopwatch/chronometer to time 3 min. and make a second mark. That gives you both speed and course. Speed = 100's of yards divided by 10= speed in knots. i.e. 750 yds. in 3 min= speed of 7.5 kts. I try to remain stationary while doing this; that should give you an accurate idea of his heading and speed. The map update definitely makes things easier though. __________________ If it's a fair fight, then you didn't plan it properly. ====================================

12-30-08, 08:39 PM	#6
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,286 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I believe you should use the map update. It basically serves as your weapons officer/plot. Let's face it, it takes more than the captain to find and work a firing solution. Therefore, I believe the map update acts as if your crewman is making the plot and keeping the info for you to reference. Ain't no shame in your game if you use map update. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

12-31-08, 11:41 AM	#8
Wilcke The Old Man Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,441 Downloads: 234 Uploads: 0	Yes, I use map update. There are many short comings to playing a sim solo where there was a team to do the real thing. Of course we have the Pause button which I use many a time to ask myself, " do I really want to carry out this attack". Be systematic, develop a pattern to how you collect data and then plan your approach carefully. In complete opposition to the fast paced PC titles many of us played or play this sub stuff is just slow and monotonous followed by some successes and some utter failures. Happy Hunting! __________________ Wilcke **For the best in Fleet Boats go to: Submarine Sim Central. http://forum.kickinbak.com/index.php Check out: A Brief Introduction to the Pacific Submarine War by Ducimus http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=128185 Operation Monsun plus OMEGU, the #1 ATO Solution for SH4! Signature Art by Gunfighter**

12-30-08, 06:54 AM	#2
Fish40 The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Yonkers, NY U.S.A. Posts: 1,507 Downloads: 154 Uploads: 0	If you love 1.4, you won't be disappointed with 1.5. Adds the PE (pacific environment mod) and new sinking mechanics for merchant ships (they're still working on the warships). Read the first page of the RFB thread for a list of all the changes. To further your experience, d/l the RSRD and OM mods. These mods rework the campaigns for fleet boats and u-boats for more historical accuracy. Just be sure to use the correct versions for RFB, as well as any patches that are required. Read the first page of the RSRD and OM mods for all the info, as well as mod install order.

12-30-08, 04:38 PM	#4
BH Loader Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 89 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	I am having a real problem manually targeting w/o the map contacts. I am having trouble determining the targets course relative to mine. Any suggestions?