Favorites ?

[Bubblehead1980]

Just curious what other subsimmers favorite things in SH 4 are. Favorite time period of the war to patrol, patrol areas, class of boat, target, base to operate out of, torpedo etc. and reasons why ? Of course different mods affect things but in general, curious.

[iambecomelife]

Favorite period is 1944 - 1945 because I honestly don't like torpedo problems. Favorite type of sub is Gato/Balao. I have a soft spot for the big boats like "Argonaut" & "Nautilus" but I have not had a chance to play the mod that has that type. Favorite torpedo? Anything other than the MK14.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by iambecomelife

Favorite period is 1944 - 1945 because I honestly don't like torpedo problems. Favorite type of sub is Gato/Balao. I have a soft spot for the big boats like "Argonaut" & "Nautilus" but I have not had a chance to play the mod that has that type. Favorite torpedo? Anything other than the MK14.

Nice. While 1944 has always been my favorite, with my my changes in TMO Spring of 42 is a close second, or it is a tie. 1944 is the peak of the Pacific submarine war in the sim (as in real life), especially in my customized install. Plenty of large(by IJN standards) convoys running, plenty of opportunities to encounter them, chances for night surface attacks, along with prize warships. ASW is tough and grows tougher over time, convoys start running the shallows by year's end and plenty of action.

Yes, after starting in December 1941 in Tambor and making it through to end of 1943 (game retired my boat, error have to track down and correct, Tambor should not be retired until early 45, not 44!) I am burned out on torpedo problems , but it was a challenge and a lot of fun, esp since improved the performance of early war escorts, they are no longer pushovers. Not 1944 or 45 level (minus the rare "Elite" escort)


The pseudo Narwhal in TMO is okay, ran a few patrols with it but was not really enjoyable. I played with the donation Narwhal Class one time, it was fun but to really enjoy it outside early years, really needs a whole group of special missions and variety of them. Dropping off the raids for example for would a great mission and the supply missions to the Philippines etc. Not going to just go patrol around in one of of those old boats after early 43. (Argonaut's loss in early 43 for example)


lol Anything but Mark 14, about how I felt. Thing is Mark 18 when first introduced had its own issues...deep running mostly, circle runs. Mark 14 turns into a great torpedo once issues caused. Actually my favorite post September 1943. Mark 18 is great and all after late 43, but the short range and low speed compared to others becomes an issue later in war when longer range shots become inevetiable, plus nasty habit of circle runs, but are great to be in the stern tubes when need to shoot an escort "down the throat", especially when running away on surface after night surface attack.How I feel about it anyways lol

[KaleunMarco]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Mark 18 ..... but are great to be in the stern tubes when need to shoot an escort "down the throat", especially when running away on surface after night surface attack.How I feel about it anyways lol

unfortunately, the simulation that we play does not simulate human reaction to being shot at. by that i mean that a skimmer-skipper is likely to have second thoughts about chasing a submarine once he realizes that he is being shot at by a 3000 lb explosive device. we have learned from ships logs that pursuit was slowed or broken off once the skimmer-skipper was fired upon or...one of his fellow skimmers was fired upon (or sunk).

there is something sobering about facing-down a projectile and not all captains react the same as a coldly programmed, computer simulator. in the SH4 situation, we must sink the skimmer to end the chase.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by KaleunMarco

unfortunately, the simulation that we play does not simulate human reaction to being shot at. by that i mean that a skimmer-skipper is likely to have second thoughts about chasing a submarine once he realizes that he is being shot at by a 3000 lb explosive device. we have learned from ships logs that pursuit was slowed or broken off once the skimmer-skipper was fired upon or...one of his fellow skimmers was fired upon (or sunk).

there is something sobering about facing-down a projectile and not all captains react the same as a coldly programmed, computer simulator. in the SH4 situation, we must sink the skimmer to end the chase.

True, can't really replicate the human factor yet and not in SH 4. However, they do not know they have a torpedo coming with Mark 18 due to lack of wake Firing a bow shot esp against escorts which usually have shallow drafts is a risk, desperation move typically. Most escorts I can outrun, save it for the DD and DE which can't and if can't dive. . Mark 14 they usually avoid them successfully when fired from long distances, esp the down the throat shots and even then. In TMO at least, they do not set themselves up for a down the throat shot so easily as they begin to zig back and forth. Depends on the skill level, if set below "Veteran" they will charge in without disregard and are somewhat easy to get with that shot, but since in TMO most are set to Veteran and a number set to Elite, they usually start the zig when within reasonable expected range for a bow shot.

[Red Devil]

I got that fed up with torps I disabled duds. I like the long range 'green machines' but there is precious little target coming my way that warrant long range. You know, something small like a Jap battle fleet or something. So I think I have to go for 44-45.

[Texas Red]

Originally Posted by KaleunMarco

. by that i mean that a skimmer-skipper is likely to have second thoughts about chasing a submarine once he realizes that he is being shot at by a 3000 lb explosive device. we have learned from ships logs that pursuit was slowed or broken off once the skimmer-skipper was fired upon or...one of his fellow skimmers was fired upon (or sunk).

Huh, that must explain some things I have encountered. Is it modeled in FOTRSU and TMO? Or is it also in stock SH4 too?

One time in maybe mid-1942 (while playing either FORTSU or TMO), I was attacking a task force and sank one of their BBs and damaged a cruiser with a shot that missed the original BB I targeted. I came under heavy fire from Jap DDs and I got sick of being hounded by Jap destroyers who wouldn't leave and so I brought the boat up to periscope depth and fired a snapshot when the closest DD that had just finished its depth charge showed its flank. The resulting torpedo impact sank the DD and the destroyers left.

[KaleunMarco]

Originally Posted by El Whacko

Huh, that must explain some things I have encountered. Is it modeled in FOTRSU and TMO? Or is it also in stock SH4 too?

One time in maybe mid-1942 (while playing either FORTSU or TMO), I was attacking a task force and sank one of their BBs and damaged a cruiser with a shot that missed the original BB I targeted. I came under heavy fire from Jap DDs and I got sick of being hounded by Jap destroyers who wouldn't leave and so I brought the boat up to periscope depth and fired a snapshot when the closest DD that had just finished its depth charge showed its flank. The resulting torpedo impact sank the DD and the destroyers left.

excellent news...for you and your valiant crew.
how long after the DD sank did the remainder stay in the area?