Newbie questions

[SeanHolland]

Thanks for taking the time to put together such a helpful response, I really appreciate it.

I'm going off on patrol now. I may be a while.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by SeanHolland

Thanks for taking the time to put together such a helpful response, I really appreciate it.

I'm going off on patrol now. I may be a while.

Not a problem. On patrol myself.

[Ludwig van Hursh]

I figured I would throw in a few suggestions as well that will help you be a bit more successful and perhaps live longer as well as feel more like a real US Fleet Boat skipper, though I am no expert like BubbleHead. I do remember when I first started playing SH3 and not even knowing how to get out of a turn because I didn't know what "Amidships" meant haha.

*Dive during the day when you are a few hundred miles from enemy territory or you will be detected by aircraft then surface at night. When you get more confident and start adding consumable resources like your batteries you will want to run at low speeds so you don't have to surface before the sun goes down to recharge.

*Use your deck gun against unarmed merchants since torpedoes are a precious commodities when on patrol and you want to save them for when you really need them like convoys. Don't be a hero and try to get into a gun fight with a destroyer, you will lose or the victory will be very hard won.

*When you chart you course, double check that you are not passing over any little tiny islands, take this from personal experience, you don't want to ground your boat when you are riding high on success or just super early. However this is realistic and the US Navy has had a alarmingly large number of groundings in its history, look up the Honda Point Disaster to see one.

That's all I can think of right now but as you go you will get more and more bold and experimental with your realism. Currently I'm working on making my own plots to better track targets to eventually get rid of the map contacts to do them on my own. I would also suggest looking up some YouTube docs on US Fleet Boats to get a better idea how they operated and the challenges they faced, notably the Mark 14 Torpedo which luckily the game doesn't fully incorporate all the little quirks it has.

Enjoy the game and good hunting!

[SeanHolland]

Thanks LvH, appreciate the advice

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by SeanHolland

Thanks LvH, appreciate the advice

For some great information, which can be applied in many cases to how operate in SH 4 (especially when move on to mods) would read (if you have not) CLEAR THE BRIDGE! and WAHOO! by Rear Admiral Richard O Kane. Two excellent memoirs about his time as Executive Officer on Wahoo and Commanding Officer of Tang. Then Thunder Below by Admiral Eugene Fluckey, which is probably the finest submarine memoir to date. Get the hardcover if you can find it, nice book.

Great book from the enlisted man's perspective during the war are Torpedoman by Ron Smith (who is one of the vets interviewed in the documentary below) and while have not read this one have heard "The Men:American Enlisted Submariners in World War II; Why they joined, why they fought, and why they won." is excellent as well.

[SeanHolland]

Great documentary, thanks for sharing.

I've added the books to my kindle list. I have a feeling that this is not your average video game.

[Mad Mardigan]

Originally Posted by SeanHolland

Great documentary, thanks for sharing. I have a feeling that this is not your average video game.

You're NOT just whistling Dixieland there, bub...

In the right hands, it's not a game... it's an adventure.... to borrow a ad slogan/quote for Army/Navy... some time back (It's not a job, it's an adventure...)

M. M.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by SeanHolland

Great documentary, thanks for sharing.

I've added the books to my kindle list. I have a feeling that this is not your average video game.

You are welcome. Definitely not your average pc game, which makes is great. Especially once you master stock, and get into the mods.

[quickening58]

"For some great information, which can be applied in many cases to how operate in SH 4 (especially when move on to mods) would read (if you have not) CLEAR THE BRIDGE! and WAHOO! by Rear Admiral Richard O Kane. Two excellent memoirs about his time as Executive Officer on Wahoo and Commanding Officer of Tang. Then Thunder Below by Admiral Eugene Fluckey, which is probably the finest submarine memoir to date. Get the hardcover if you can find it, nice book "



Only my 3rd month or so, into SH4. Tho am fairly well knowledgeable with WW2 Pacific Sub Ops....been seeing some great suggestions of books/info I have never heard of. New Kindle has opened a whole world Have read O'Kanes Clear the Bridge twice already!! I do suggest Lockwoods "Sink Them All" and "Zoomies,Subs and Zeros" from his perspectives. Very informative!! Am assuming we all know who Lockwood is,right?? LOL

A short side-story.......about 25 years ago, just before Super Bowl weekend, I was working and listening to the local FM. DJ announced a contest. Who can name the only American Sub to sink itself?? Winner would win a 6ft Sub sandwiche from Subway!!
It came mounted on a well wrapped 6ft 4in. board....and the guys laughed thru every bite on Superbowl Sunday. DJ was amazed someone won it in 30 seconds

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Ludwig van Hursh

I figured I would throw in a few suggestions as well that will help you be a bit more successful and perhaps live longer as well as feel more like a real US Fleet Boat skipper, though I am no expert like BubbleHead. I do remember when I first started playing SH3 and not even knowing how to get out of a turn because I didn't know what "Amidships" meant haha.

*Dive during the day when you are a few hundred miles from enemy territory or you will be detected by aircraft then surface at night. When you get more confident and start adding consumable resources like your batteries you will want to run at low speeds so you don't have to surface before the sun goes down to recharge.

*Use your deck gun against unarmed merchants since torpedoes are a precious commodities when on patrol and you want to save them for when you really need them like convoys. Don't be a hero and try to get into a gun fight with a destroyer, you will lose or the victory will be very hard won.

*When you chart you course, double check that you are not passing over any little tiny islands, take this from personal experience, you don't want to ground your boat when you are riding high on success or just super early. However this is realistic and the US Navy has had a alarmingly large number of groundings in its history, look up the Honda Point Disaster to see one.

That's all I can think of right now but as you go you will get more and more bold and experimental with your realism. Currently I'm working on making my own plots to better track targets to eventually get rid of the map contacts to do them on my own. I would also suggest looking up some YouTube docs on US Fleet Boats to get a better idea how they operated and the challenges they faced, notably the Mark 14 Torpedo which luckily the game doesn't fully incorporate all the little quirks it has.

Enjoy the game and good hunting!

Solid advice.