Best starting point...?

[mookiemookie]

Depends on what kind of war you want to fight.

in 1941 out of the Asiatic fleet you'll see a lot of transports and task forces as Japan invades the Philippines. Lots of shallow water fighting.

In 1942 through 43 and even on into 44, you'll be doing a lot of fighting in the far flung islands like the Gilberts and Solomons. There's some opportunities for some big targets there, as Truk was the major forward base for the Japanese fleet.

In my experience, Pearl Harbor patrols in pretty much any year are usually sent to Empire waters. If you like taking the war right to the enemy's doorstep, that's what I'd pick.

I'm running out of Brisbane in mid 1944 right now and I'm being sent to a lot of places around the Philippines and the Luzon Strait. Deep water, lots of traffic. Fun!

1945...eh...not much left to do then. I don't think I'd start a career there.

[Penelope_Grey]

thank-you for the reply. Muchly appreciated.

I've recently been dabbling with SH4 now and again... time permitting... and with a patch 1.4 on the horizon Im hopeful that little discrepancies in the game will be corrected to a point where the game is perfectamundo.

Things like crewmen shouting even though the damage was repaired a week ago becoming a thing of the past... too good to pass up...

I have done a few war patrols and the odd single mission, but not lauched into a full blown career yet. I am die hard Atlantic for sure... but wouldn't turn my nose up at the pacific side of things either!

Anyway I'll always be a U-boat girl, but... since SH4 is starting to move again thought I'd have a quick meddle with it.

The interface of SH4 is my biggest gripe but its not undoable. Cheers for the respose! I reckon when Im ready of course, as Im so used to in SH3 taking the fight to their front door... I'm gonna go with a Pearl Harbour base and start in 1941.

[Takeda Shingen]

Personally, I always liked the desperation of 41/42. It is probably most akin to 44/45 in the Atlantic theatre: Things are not going well. So, I usually start in December of 41 in with the Asiatic Fleet.

[Rockin Robbins]

Glad to have you aboard in SH4 land, Penelope!

[AVGWarhawk]

Are you playing the vanilla version? If so, this could be a good thing so you can see what it is out of the box. Then load up ROW and RSRD. See what it has become.

Anyway, I start in 41 in the Asiatic fleet. Closer to the action! Usually the S-class. Fun little boat.

[Penelope_Grey]

Im sorry AVG, but... ROW? RSRD?

I never play vanilla version either, I play stock or base game... can't call it vanilla you see because IS a flavouring and therefore means that its not plain.

Yeah, definately likeing the idea of asiatic boats in 1941, but... having tried the S-class... god alive.... they have good underwater range.... very comparable to a U-boat but... it takes like... 2 days to recharge their batteries from 50% back to 100%

I usually have a few single missions and war patrols here and there. nothing too taxing, Im waiting for that final patch and hoping its the correction we all deserve.

[AVGWarhawk]

can't call it vanilla you see because IS a flavouring and therefore means that its not plain.

Oh sure, throw logic in my face. See is I care:rotfl:

ROW is Reflections on the Water (stickied on the mod forums)
Total overhaul of the environment! Unbelievably realistic! Beautiful sky and sea effects! Must have mod.

Run Silent Run Deep(Stickied on the mod forums)
This is just the first layer of 41-42. Historical shipping lanes as well as ship type. Greatly enhanced with better messages and objectives. In other words, you do not see 4 Yamato battleships in one patrol or see super convoys. Sure the Japanese had large convoys but nowhere near what the Atlantic had seen. Mostly 3-4 merchants and a few DD. Most times no escort at all. They liked to hug the coastline to keep in shallow waters. Not the greatest of places for a submarine.

I have not messed with mods like Real Fleet Boat or Trigger Maru because I like the stock mix of really good DD and really bad DD. You will find subject matter concerning Japanese and ASW describing such contact between subs and destroyers. Although, towards the later years of the war the Japanese got in the ballgame concerning ASW measures. A bit to late though. Anyway, the ships will zig zag unlike the stock game and will change speeds when you are detected, etc.

The S class battery charge I believe to be realistic. This particular boat was way behind the times and what Germany did the coastal Uboat II. Heck, you are given the TDC and the S class was really a point and shoot boat.

Oh, one more thing, you should find plenty of dud torps ( had 4 premature on one attack ) and watch out for the circle runner. Nothing like your own dog turning on you and taking a bite out of your leg. US torps at the beginning of the war just were not up to the task. A little help from some unexploded German torps found on the beaches of the US East Coast helped a bit!

I'm glad you are giving it a chance. Just a babe in the woods but it will mature into a excellent sim as SH3 has. And, now that you are fooling around with files making a mod or two, who knows what you might dream up for SH4.