Navigation Question

[timmy41]

if you get GWX, there will be a map of shipping lanes that can be pulled down when looking at the map.

Stock for now but Im in the process of downloading GWX 3.0.. any other tips you guys could give me?? I think I may start a career over from the beginning of the war again as Im getting quite tired with getting sunk every patrol lol :p

[K-61]

I think for you we might reverse the standard BdU advice:

"Be less aggressive!"

Quick question though?? why the two knots?? and also SH3 commander makes random thermal layers? thats where if I hit it they cant ping me right?? how do I figure out what it is?

Originally Posted by danlisa

In instances like that, Crash dive and a knuckle turn towards the attacker, rudder amidships, gain some depth until the DD passes you then knuckle turn again and reduce speed to 2 knots. Keep gaining depth until you are 120+.

Then let the cat and mouse start. Always try to keep a minimum profile to the attacker, your boat is a lot smaller end on.

You can man the hydrophone and listen to the attackers engines, when they ramp up he is starting a depth charge run, you can have a quick burst of speed to alter course or depth, when you hear the DC splashes, resume 2 knots.

If you are playing GWX (I know you were going to try) you have to think like a RL captain or you will die. One piece of advice, just because they are pinging, doesn't mean they know where you are.

Stay calm, don't panic.

Actually Id have to counter that because If I was more aggressive. I would have had the oppurtunity to sink about 5 or 6 merchants (reported contacts in the area from other ships planes etc.) but I just kept on going to my patrol then tried getting near a hot spot. thats my problem I think, Im trying to jump right into the hot spots with no experience and its killin me. :P

[K-61]

Although the thermal layer is simulated, it is not a static factor and thus varies. The Germans had no method for detecting the thermal transient and in the game you will not be able to figure out where it is. However, if you dive deep enough you'll likely be under it, but you must still run quietly, at 1 knot - 50 RPM. To set that, use your free roaming viewing perspective [F2] to move to the engineer's engine dials. Use your arrow keys to move around until you are facing the gauge; you can zoom in very close. Drag the telegraph needle in tiny increments until you can see the needle on the 50 RPM line. Also, don't forget to set the silent running button [Z] to stop all noisy activity of the crew, such as repairs and reloading torpedoes. Below a certain depth you will have to increase speed to prevent the boat from sinking. 50 RPM is not enough to keep the boat level. Come up until you are stabilized and then go back to 50 RPM. If you have damage that needs immediate attention, then you've got a tough decision to make: let the water come in or plug the leaks. If it's a minor leak I stay quiet, but a moderate to heavy leak is more dangerous than what the escorts might do.

Also, there is a mod which allows you to automatically set the 50 RPM speed by pressing the "~" button but at the expense of the stop engines key. The speed settings are moved around but you'll still be able to set your speeds, except for full speed reversed, hardly a sacrifice to make for the convenience of the auto-50 RPM button.

Gotta head out now to take my wife's car in for a service. Back in a while.

How do I zoom in?? I cant figure out how to zoom while in the boat. and secondly. I cant touch the dials when Im inside. only from like an interface view

[desirableroasted]

When you are in the control room, right click on your CE (he's the hunky guy at the end of the compartment). You will then get his "view", which includes the gauges showing the engine RPMs.

You won't be able to change them by clicking on them, but as you lower your speed using your usual engine controls, you will see your RPMs drop.

Some people say you have to be down to 50rpms to be completely silent. This is probably true, but you also won't be moving fast enough to get out from under them.

I go with 90 rpms, go as deep as I can, and, once I have their noise fairly much behind me, slowly leave the area (that's the plan, anyway).

Standard advice is to steer so as to leave as little profile as possible. All things being equal, good advice. However, you will never be able to "turn tail" on a rapidly circling escort, nor can you show a narrow profile to 2-3 escorts. Far better to use your low speed to get out from under, then worry about turning tail.

So basically drop below the thermal layer and creep away

[desirableroasted]

Originally Posted by USNSRCaseySmith

So basically drop below the thermal layer and creep away

That's about it. Easier said than done, and it can be frustratingly tedious.

But your advantage is that you are (largely) silent, unseen and working a 3-dimensional space.

And that 3rd dimension, depth, is 90% of your defense.

On the other hand, it is just a game. To get a feel for your boat and what it can take, and what you can do, go up and fight some destroyers and aircraft, and don't worry about getting sunk (they will take care of that for you).

The game is a lot more fun if you go at it whole hog aggressive in the beginning, then learn how to be cagey.

And welcome aboard, Seaman Recruit Smith, from a former Cryptologic Technician (Operations) 2nd.

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by USNSRCaseySmith

Quick question though?? why the two knots??

The faster you go when submerged, the easier you are to hear. 2 knots is basically "silent running" speed. Low RPMs, less prop noise. Even at your highest possible submerged speed, you can't get away from an escort by outrunning him - so making less noise becomes far more important than making good speed.

[CaptainMattJ.]

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

The faster you go when submerged, the easier you are to hear. 2 knots is basically "silent running" speed. Low RPMs, less prop noise. Even at your highest possible submerged speed, you can't get away from an escort by outrunning him - so making less noise becomes far more important than making good speed.

yea but the second they ping you theres no point in staying at 2 knots. of course if your in an ideal position to attack a convoy, just stop he engines entirely and wait for them to come to you.

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by CaptainMattJ.

yea but the second they ping you theres no point in staying at 2 knots. of course if your in an ideal position to attack a convoy, just stop he engines entirely and wait for them to come to you.

Just because they're pinging doesn't mean they've located you. If they have, they're going to make an attack run and that would be the time for a strategic increase in speed.

I hold at 90 RPM whether they ping or not, and whether they drop charges or not.
I also play "no parking". So 50 RPM (Dead Slow) is the absolute, temporary, minimum for collision avoidance purposes during a submerged attack.
If I end up inside a convoy, I'll try to put myself on their course, or exactly opposite their course. Then I'll be force to make a 90 degree shot (The torpedo turns 90 degrees).
It's alot harder and more exacting than taking a bow on shot from just outside. (Stress!)