My salute to the community

[Sailor Steve]

WELCOME ABOARD!

Originally Posted by *Starwolf*

1 - Currently I have Manual Targeting=Off and WO's help=On, meaning that I do not have to enter the target data myself, I lock on and fire, the WO does the math. If I put Manual Targeting=On and WO's help=Off i suppose that i have to enter the data myself. But if i put Manual Targeting=Off and WO's help=Off ? Or the opposite Manual Targeting=On and WO's help=On ? I need to clarify these situations.

I also have both turned on. This is a kind of cheat, but I'm no good with math and at least this 'feels' real. The WO will update the information when you ask him for it, but at least you have to take the time to ask. It's a good compromise if you're not ready for doing it all yourself.

2 - I started a campaign in 1939, never started in this year the first time i played SH3 stock. I am commanding a type IIA, did a shakedown cruise and then a second patrol after the war officially started. Currently i'm on my third patrol with a total of 5 ships sunk so far (around 1k tons each). The question is: at this time i have a very little renown and i really wish to command a type VII that costs 2500 renown.. are there some tricks/tips to gain renown fast or do i have to wait many patrols before i can afford a type VII? Or it is more convenient starting a new campaign in another year to instantly gain access to the VII?

I regularly run three or more campaigns at a time, side by side. One from 1st Flotilla (Kiel) in a Type II, one from 2nd Flotilla (Wilhelmshaven) in a Type IX (you can set SH3 Commander to give you that boat right from the start) and one from 7th Flotilla (Kiel again) in a type VII. I also use WB's mod that limits the boat to VIIa characteristics (no external reloads and 17 knots max speed). I know that's a lot of info to absorb right off the bat, but you'll learn soon enough, and make your own choices. There is also a way to edit your renown to buy anything you want right from the start. I've never done it myself, but it's supposed to be fairly easy.

Finally, last question, regarding SHV this time. It is really worth playing? I'm sure that's a question asked a million times but I saw some videos on YouTube and oh man, I was drooling on the floor.. the graphics are astonishing, you can actually walk in the sub, talk to the crew, etc.. my jaw hit the floor!
If it is not worth playing, what are the features that are missing compared to SH3+GWX?

That's a tricky question, and the real answer depends on what you're looking for. I don't like it because you can't get a Type II or Type IX. While the walk-around feature is cool, it's not enough to overcome the negatives, at least for me. Talking to the crew would be nice, but you can only talk to the senior officers and the cook, and the conversation is limited to about three sentences each. Yes, the graphics are lovely, but as yet that's about all it has to offer. Many mods have improved things greatly, but it's still lacking the things I want most.

I would advice reading some of the SH5 threads, especially the sticky about problems people are having. Many of those have been overcome, but that's the best way to find out what you might like or dislike.