Fresh Faced Recruit -SH IV

[merc4ulfate]

Stop using math LOL

Actually I would suggest you study Dick O'Kanes method. It tends to make targeting easier.

You'll find extremely good techniques and tactics here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=146795

[ReallyDedPoet]

Welcome

[TorpX]

Welcome aboard, depthtok!

Most here have v1.5 of the game (either the 'Gold Edition' or the U-boat missions addition). All the recent mods are made for v1.5. If you like this game, sooner or later you will want to get this.



As far as the O'Kane method is concerned, I don't use it, so I can't help you there.

If math doesn't scare you, you might check out the methods outlined here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...gebraic&page=4

The first post explains a simple 'straight fire' method. Post #45 and after deal with a more sophisticated 'curved fire' method.

If you don't like math, or calculating firing solutions, I would advise you to just use the TDC as it was intended to be used. There really aren't any objective advantages to 'canned' approaches that require specific approach angles, specific track angles, etc., etc.

You only need to enter:

1. Target AoB
   
2. Target range
   
3. Target bearing
   
4. Target speed

The TDC does the rest.

AoB is usually what gives people the most trouble. Once you understand what Angle Off the Bow is, and why you need to know it, the rest of it isn't very hard.

Stop using math LOL

Heresy!

[TG626]

I too got "steamed".

After a few days, I hopped onto amazon.com and bought the digital download of sh4 with the uboat expansion. I had/have no interest in the uboat part, but I did want the last and hopefully most bug free version, so I just bit the bullet and bought it twice.

I'm glad I did.

I also learned not to buy via steam unless its the only option.

[Pisces]

Question 1:
I don't know exactly where Steam stores the games on your system. But you need to take a look at the file-properties of the SH4.exe executable. Take a look at the details tab of the file properties page. It should give the actual version.

I suspect it can be found in "c:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\Silent Hunter 4"

since ...\Steam\steamapps\common\ is where all my Steam-games are, but I personally made Steam keep it's storage folder out of the default "Program Files" folder. It helps to keep Windows UAC of my back.

If not, then just make Explorer search your entire C-drive for the file sh4.exe. And right-click on it and choose properties.

Question 2:

AOB is the angle between the target bow or course, and the viewing line towards your sub. So from his point of view!. Or alternatively on the map: between the target's course, and the line from him to you.

So you have 2 options:

1: Learn how to associate the looks of a target through a periscope (how are the structures on it positioned against one another) against a known AOB. And then extrapolate between it. This is a matter of learning and experience. But can be helped by making a custom mission with just a dormant ship in the sea, and you sailing around it (submerged) looking at it from different vantage points.

You can also use the skewed images in the recognition manual to help approximate which AOB angle it is. AOBs greater than 90 degrees are facing and moving away. So you may not want to go after those. But it is important that you learn to recognize those too. Aft facing sections are usually not visible when viewing from the front. And side-views can either show the rear facing wall, or the front of something. So that helps narrowing down AOB >90 or <90.

2: As CapnScurvy already suggested, make use of plotting on the map. The target bow is obviously pointed along it's course. If you can plot where the target is currently at along that line, then by using a line from your your boat to his direction (known as a true bearing line= your course + crew report or periscope bearing), then you can measure the Angle on the (Target) Bow. There are tools for that on the navigation map.

So that arduous work of plotting the target's position, leading to his course line drawn on the map makes the rest of the targeting work much more easy. But once you are spotted, map drawings loose their meaning as the target changes course.

[depthtok33l]

Thanks everyone. It seems like I have no choice but to purchase the U-Boat Missions add-on, it's more expensive too ($19.99USD for Oceania, $9.99USD for US). Learning a lot here!

[CapnScurvy]

Depthtok33l, you might want to look at this site for purchasing the "Gold Edition" DVD disk version I posted in this thread. It's still on sale for the price of just the U-Boat Missions Add-on you found.

The Gold Edition is the complete stock game.....bringing the game up to version 1.5.....with the German U-Boat Missions/Subs already in the files. When ever you can buy a DVD disk, and have it in-hand, its much better than a download (no matter how cheap the download is)!