Nebie to SH 4 need help

thewiraffeko · 10-01-20, 02:18 AM

As the title says. I redescovered a copy of SH4 and decided to play it because why not? Problem is I've never played a SH game before and I'm having a hard time understanding the mechanics of the game. open source software

I know how to move my submarine, how to plot a course and how to look for enemy ships (more or less, I've watched a video about it), problem is I always seem to run out of fuel pretty soon and I can't for the life of me complete my first mission to scout Hiroshima.

If you know of any good guides (preferably written, not a great fan of videos) I'd be very grateful. Obviously all the tips you can give are welcome!

If anyone wants to help I have some more specific questions in mind. Thanks in advance to everyone.

mikesn9 · 10-01-20, 06:23 AM

see the stickies at the top of page? There is lots of help there in several discussions.
Important question you will get here.. what version of SH4 are you running?
On the splash page you see a version number : 1.3, 1.4, or 1.5

are you doing a single mission or career?

wade88 · 10-01-20, 12:06 PM

You can turn the limited fuel off if you want, or if you want to use realistic fuel usage running at all ahead full and all ahead flank sucks down diesel like a top fuel dragster swills methanol. For economy try all ahead two thirds or all ahead standard.

Aktungbby · 10-01-20, 12:08 PM

thewiraffeko!

KaleunMarco · 10-01-20, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewiraffeko

As the title says. I redescovered a copy of SH4 and decided to play it because why not? Problem is I've never played a SH game before and I'm having a hard time understanding the mechanics of the game.

I know how to move my submarine, how to plot a course and how to look for enemy ships (more or less, I've watched a video about it), problem is I always seem to run out of fuel pretty soon and I can't for the life of me complete my first mission to scout Hiroshima.

If you know of any good guides (preferably written, not a great fan of videos) I'd be very grateful. Obviously all the tips you can give are welcome!

If anyone wants to help I have some more specific questions in mind. Thanks in advance to everyone.

welcome to subsim.

try reading some of THEBERBSTERs hints, etc.
https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=219029

i echo what others have offered: use the Options to turn off fuel usage until you get more familiar with the mechanics, etc. that is what the Options are for.

also, keep in mind, that playing Single Missions and War Patrols use the Options on the Home Page.
if/when you decide to play a Career, there is a different set of Options. for US careers, use the Radio Set on the left when you are in port. For German careers, use the File Cabinet at the upper right of the in port screen.

also, start reading up on the advanced memory use tools. SH4 was written for a very different operating environment than we use today. Refer to CapnScurvy's Large Aware Address thread https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/sho...35#post2452635 and NTCore 4GB Patch(https://ntcore.com/?page_id=371). You only need one of them as they provide the same functionality.

good luck.

jimmbbo · 10-04-20, 01:26 PM

Welcome!

As posted, the SubSim forum is chock full of great information from enthusiasts who keep the game alive. Also there are numerous great YouTube videos for playing SH4. Search SH4 on YT and check RockinRobbins 13's channel

As far as running out of fuel, I agree with setting the unlimited fuel option, and after you gain a comfort level with operating the boat, the sweet spot for long range ops is 1/3 power as the engines use progressively more fuel per mile.
When you remove the unlimited fuel training wheels, a good rule of thumb is to return to base (RTB) before the fuel level reaches 50% unless there is a refit port nearby. Running a productive mission and running out of fuel 15 miles from a resupply point or home port can ruin your day... don't ask how I know...

Good hunting, Kaleun!

10-01-20, 02:18 AM	#1
thewiraffeko Nub Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 3 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Nebie to SH 4 need help As the title says. I redescovered a copy of SH4 and decided to play it because why not? Problem is I've never played a SH game before and I'm having a hard time understanding the mechanics of the game. open source software I know how to move my submarine, how to plot a course and how to look for enemy ships (more or less, I've watched a video about it), problem is I always seem to run out of fuel pretty soon and I can't for the life of me complete my first mission to scout Hiroshima. If you know of any good guides (preferably written, not a great fan of videos) I'd be very grateful. Obviously all the tips you can give are welcome! If anyone wants to help I have some more specific questions in mind. Thanks in advance to everyone. Last edited by thewiraffeko; 10-02-20 at 09:34 AM.

10-01-20, 06:23 AM	#2
mikesn9 Sonar Guy Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Sarasota Florida Posts: 391 Downloads: 68 Uploads: 0	see the stickies at the top of page? There is lots of help there in several discussions. Important question you will get here.. what version of SH4 are you running? On the splash page you see a version number : 1.3, 1.4, or 1.5 are you doing a single mission or career? __________________ I spent the cold war under water.

10-01-20, 12:06 PM	#3
wade88 Swabbie Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 8 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	You can turn the limited fuel off if you want, or if you want to use realistic fuel usage running at all ahead full and all ahead flank sucks down diesel like a top fuel dragster swills methanol. For economy try all ahead two thirds or all ahead standard. __________________ silent hunter 3/4, cold waters, command: versions, DCS et al, 32 core threadripper 3 128GB ram 8TB of sata flash, 8TB nvme flash, 2 16TB HDD's, a lot more HDD's on the lan.

10-01-20, 12:08 PM	#4
Aktungbby Gefallen Engel U-666 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: On a tilted, overheated, overpopulated spinning mudball on Collision course with Andromeda Galaxy Posts: 30,009 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	Welcome aboard! thewiraffeko! __________________ "Only two things are infinite; The Universe and human squirrelyness?!!

10-04-20, 01:26 PM	#6
jimmbbo Run silent, run deep Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 225 Downloads: 59 Uploads: 0	Welcome! As posted, the SubSim forum is chock full of great information from enthusiasts who keep the game alive. Also there are numerous great YouTube videos for playing SH4. Search SH4 on YT and check RockinRobbins 13's channel As far as running out of fuel, I agree with setting the unlimited fuel option, and after you gain a comfort level with operating the boat, the sweet spot for long range ops is 1/3 power as the engines use progressively more fuel per mile. When you remove the unlimited fuel training wheels, a good rule of thumb is to return to base (RTB) before the fuel level reaches 50% unless there is a refit port nearby. Running a productive mission and running out of fuel 15 miles from a resupply point or home port can ruin your day... don't ask how I know... Good hunting, Kaleun!