SH3 convoys and battleships

[hightower1]

so ive been patrolling area of the map (BC) cause thats right in a merchant route, i usually go to around 70m . when i do get a convoy i move for slow at silent running. but before i know it, im getting pinged. next thing i know they found me and im eating depth charges at the bottom lol what do i do?

[Von Tonner]

Originally Posted by hightower1

so ive been patrolling area of the map (BC) cause thats right in a merchant route, i usually go to around 70m . when i do get a convoy i move for slow at silent running. but before i know it, im getting pinged. next thing i know they found me and im eating depth charges at the bottom lol what do i do?

High Hightower1 - Firstly one should ALWAYS find out from your Sonar operator where the warships are. In particular, the one closest to you. Once you have this info you are in a far better position to work out how to attack at the least risk to your boat and crew.

Secondly, remember if you have depth beneath you and it is still pre 1942 and you get detected go under 150 m , run silent and you should shake them.

Hope this helps.

[desirableroasted]

Originally Posted by hightower1

so ive been patrolling area of the map (BC) cause thats right in a merchant route, i usually go to around 70m . when i do get a convoy i move for slow at silent running. but before i know it, im getting pinged. next thing i know they found me and im eating depth charges at the bottom lol what do i do?

If you are asking how to set up shots from 70m down, you need to go back to the Academy. Sorry to be blunt.

If you are asking how to evade, remember that depth is your friend... don't make it 70m when you can get 150. Moreover, "Slow" on the engine telegraph is still far too noisy and renders "Silent Running" null and void. Put your rpms to 85 or less.

[Pistoliero]

Originally Posted by hightower1

so ive been patrolling area of the map (BC) cause thats right in a merchant route, i usually go to around 70m . when i do get a convoy i move for slow at silent running. but before i know it, im getting pinged. next thing i know they found me and im eating depth charges at the bottom lol what do i do?

Laying straignt on destroyer course is ... "unadvised" the right word probably
Even if you are perfectly still (engines off + silent running active) and deep (not sure how exactly deep, but was pinged at 100m) they can and will ping you during their routine sweep.

Stay aside from destroyers and you will be fine.

[desirableroasted]

Originally Posted by Pistoliero

Even if you are perfectly still (engines off + silent running active) and deep (not sure how exactly deep, but was pinged at 100m) they can and will ping you during their routine sweep.

No, another real life vs SH3 disconnect.

In real life, they would ping you to find you. Even if they did not know you were even out there. Just a twitch would make them ping.

In SH3, they can see you, nearly run you down, know you are there on the surface, but once you submerge, the AI only suspects you are there. You'd think it knows you exist and where, but it resets from "know" to "has a hunch."

And they won't ping because of that hunch. Yeah, they might bang you with a DC, but that's just their luck. They never knew you were there.

But once they get a twitch on passive... "Oh, now I know there is a u-boat here", they will start pinging and you are in far deeper trouble. It went from "I think you are there" to "I know you are there, I just don't know exactly where, yet."

Unfortunately, for our prides, that means that getting pinged by the AI means we screwed up somehow.

[Beerman]

I would consider the year and the weather conditions your mission is. If the sea is duck pond smooth and the year is 1944 going deep at 2 knots while silent running might keep you alive.

[Pistoliero]

Originally Posted by desirableroasted

No, another real life vs SH3 disconnect.

In real life, they would ping you to find you. Even if they did not know you were even out there. Just a twitch would make them ping.

In SH3, they can see you, nearly run you down, know you are there on the surface, but once you submerge, the AI only suspects you are there. You'd think it knows you exist and where, but it resets from "know" to "has a hunch."

And they won't ping because of that hunch. Yeah, they might bang you with a DC, but that's just their luck. They never knew you were there.

But once they get a twitch on passive... "Oh, now I know there is a u-boat here", they will start pinging and you are in far deeper trouble. It went from "I think you are there" to "I know you are there, I just don't know exactly where, yet."

Unfortunately, for our prides, that means that getting pinged by the AI means we screwed up somehow.

But it did happen to me, and more than once. I was laying on the convoy course (depth 100, engines off + silent running). Activated high TC and waited for leading escort to pass over me. Was thrown out of TC with "Enemy is pinging us!" message. Escort was not zig-zagging or something (what they do when they suspect u-boat) and then suddenly ping comes and ruins my attack.

[desirableroasted]

Originally Posted by Pistoliero

But it did happen to me, and more than once. I was laying on the convoy course (depth 100, engines off + silent running). Activated high TC and waited for leading escort to pass over me. Was thrown out of TC with "Enemy is pinging us!" message. Escort was not zig-zagging or something (what they do when they suspect u-boat) and then suddenly ping comes and ruins my attack.

Sorry, I cannot be helpful here. "depth 100", "high TC" and "laying on the convoy course" is just not a tactical situation I have tried. Ever.

[maillemaker]

so ive been patrolling area of the map (BC) cause thats right in a merchant route, i usually go to around 70m . when i do get a convoy i move for slow at silent running. but before i know it, im getting pinged. next thing i know they found me and im eating depth charges at the bottom lol what do i do

As was pointed out, it's hart to tell if you are on the attack or on the defensive.

You should be moving into attack position on the surface, because it gives you maximum speed an maneuverability. Ideally, you want to be in front of the convoy, about in line with the outer-most column. You don't want to be dead ahead of the convoy as the lead escort will run you over. I try to get within 9000 meters on the surface, out in front but to the side slightly of the convoy, and then submerge and go to silent running at periscope depth.

As was said, manually setting your RPM to 0-1 knots (under 90 RPM) is the way to get a true "silent speed".

I then run straight at the convoy on a reverse course of the convoy until the lead escort passes 90 degrees to my side. Then I turn 90 degrees towards that convoy (towards the center of the convoy) which puts me on a course 90 degrees to the convoy's course. I move forwards or backwards until I am sitting in between two columns and then I just wait for the targets to cross my front and rear tubes.

I usually break from silent running as the first torpedo hits and let my crew reload torpedoes as the convoy goes by. Usually you can get 2-3 reloads fired before the escorts drive you away.

There is generally no need to submerge deeply on approach. I have heard of a strategy of submerging deep to get under the escorts and then surfacing into the midst of the convoy, but I have not tried it.

The trick is to stay 1000 meters or more away from any escort, and stay at silent speed.

But it did happen to me, and more than once.

It has happened to me also. I have been detected, at periscope depth and silent speed, by an escort that got too close. I suspect passive listening picked us up, and then they switch to active pinging.

However, just a couple of nights ago I was making a convoy approach in rough weather and raised my scope to find I was probably only 500 meters directly beside the lead escort, we were heading in opposite directions. I was sure they would detect me, but they did not. I think the rough seas saved me.

Steve

[banryu79]

Originally Posted by maillemaker

However, just a couple of nights ago I was making a convoy approach in rough weather and raised my scope to find I was probably only 500 meters directly beside the lead escort, we were heading in opposite directions. I was sure they would detect me, but they did not. I think the rough seas saved me.

Steve

Poseidon was smiling at you that night!

[Otto Fuhrmann]

I've had similar experiences when I was sure I was about to have it, but either the weather or luck, probably just luck saved me from a watery grave.

[banryu79]

Originally Posted by Otto Fuhrmann

I've had similar experiences when I was sure I was about to have it, but either the weather or luck, probably just luck saved me from a watery grave.

Another blessed one, kissed by Kalypso

[Otto Fuhrmann]

I reckon it's my proximity to the Blarney Stone that saved me!

[banryu79]

Originally Posted by Otto Fuhrmann

I reckon it's my proximity to the Blarney Stone that saved me!

So it looks like I've confuse Kalypso with Cliodhna... Being both of them so beautiful I think I could be execused for the mistake, after all...

[Otto Fuhrmann]

Being both of them so beautiful I think I could be execused for the mistake, after all...

That's for the Gods to decide!