Deploying Decoys

[Sandman_28054]

Originally Posted by predavolk

I just got decoys myself, so I'd love to hear more about how you use them, when they are effective, and when they aren't. Personally, I'd be tempted to shoot, drop one, and THEN try to make my get away. Because I presume trouble would already be on its way, and I'd like to fool them right from the start. Would/does this work?

Here is my original post:

After many months of playing SH3, I've finally figured out how to use the decoys properly.

I was 12500 m ahead of a convoy. They approached as I sat underwater. I managed to fire 6 "fish" before the DD's located me. By this time one was nearly on top of me. (500 m) He approached slow and I could see him increase speed for the kill. I ordered "Ahead Flank," dove to 25 m, and as I went to Flank speed, I released a decoy. The DD stopped dead in her tracks. In fact, she backed up. Once I even got a DD to blow itself up with its own DC's in the "Med."

Boy these things come in handy.

And it is confirmed by this post:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

It's usually best to use them from a full ahead perspective.....run up to your fastest submerged speed, drop a decoy and immediately drop to silent running and turn the boat one way or another.

If your already at silent running when you drop one, your only going to draw attention to yourself and not be quick enough to distance yourself from the noise.

Other people may have differing methods, but thia is mine

Like I said, I have had the best luck using them when close to the surface (usuallu around the 12-13m mark) seeing the DD go to flank to lay out DC's, go to flank myself and deploy decoys at the same time. I have seen DD's come to a complete stop and back up. While crusing the "Med," I did this once and even got a DD to back up over its own DC's and sink itself. Whats that island off the coast of Sicilicy? It was there that this happened.

Using the external view, watch for the DD to "gear up," or use the hydrophones and listen for the engines to pitch up high, go to flank speed and drop your decoys. Depending on which type you have BOLD 1-2-3, it can give you up to 8 minutes to reach safe distance.

This works very well for me.

Least wise, that has been my experience.