sh3 near the end

[The Old Man]

I got maybe to the middle of 1943 before I let sh3 start collecting dust due to starforce. I was wondering though what it was like in sh3 near the end of the war? Aces of the deep near the end you would be real lucky if you survived if you played 100 percent & didn't accept the type 21. The hunter killers would hunt you down & the planes were a royal pain in the arsh. After 3 patrols in middle 1944 I sank one ship I stayed submerge as much as possible till a hunter killer groupe finshe my career.
One thing About Aces of the deep it had the real feel of the war just not the graphips of sh3.
Roy

[Jimbuna]

Only ever finished the war in stock game...and nothing other than a message 'appeared' whilst in patrol log...dunno bout any of the mods...perhaps somebody will post a response soon

[TarJak]

Once you get to 1944, things really start to get hairy even in a Type XXI. DD's seemingly appear from nowhere and chase like mad. Expecially nasty are the hedgehog equipped hunters. And planes, don;t talk to me about planes. I recall one patrol where I got caught on the surface by 6 Sunderlands who proceeded to bomb my boot into oblivion despite me shooting two down before the got me.

I've managed to take only one career to the end of the war in '45 and most end within 3 or 4 patrols. Or maybe I'm just not careful enough.

[HunterICX]

especialy those darn Convoys are hard in late war.

the DDs grabbed you by the ass even before you get the chance to get close.

and when you notice them to late they Hedgehog you, ram and directly DC you and believe me ..... thats a real kick in the nuts for you.

[Safe-Keeper]

You can't even approach the convoys. Suddenly it's like "Detecting radar signals" and three destroyers bearing down on you.

But what the Heck, I play dead-is-dead and rarely survive for more than five or six patrols. My personal record is Sept. '39 to December '41 - slightly more than 20 patrols. Big fun.

[Skubber]

I have just reached October 1944 in my current patrol.

- The air attacks were quite difficult for awhile until my u-boat was equipped with a snorkel.

- With GW, my U-boat twice had to fight off air attacks while entering/leaving the base at Lorient! (Somehow I thought to man the flak guns when I got the "aircraft spotted" signal. Didn't know they were enemies – but hypercaution is why you survive. Still, I was pretty damn surprised when they started dive bombing us!)

It was very exciting to see the whole harbor open up with anti-aircraft fire. But I tell you, I've never made it into the sub pen that fast!

- Enemy radar range gets better and better. It can be really hard to flank a convoy when radar picks you up at 15-20 kms.

- The only time my sub has been badly damaged this career was from hedgehogs. Probably those should have killed us.

- Hunter-killer groups. Lots of destroyers patrolling around out there.

- Fewer ships. Convoys are bigger, better protected, and harder to find.

On the plus side:

- The snorkel is really great. I wish it would break down now and then in the early going, because my impression is they didn't work so well at first.

- Fun to toy around with ladder-pattern torpedeos and acoutic-guidance torpedoes.
(Sometimes you have to fire torpedoes early, due to convoy escort pressure, and it's nice have your eel hit a ship after a second or third pass.)

- Radar detection. With this you have a chance to avoid the threat from the skies. Also, it can help you pick up targets. I have had instances where radar detection identifies the enemy before he identifies me. I have no idea if this is historically accurate, though.

- There is a certain "last man standing" quality that I like in the late game. Your comrades are being sunk in droves. The war effort at home is collapsing. The bases in Lorient and Brest are no longer operational. Your enemy is smarter and is getting better and better technology. Your only advantage is your experience, your wits, and your determination to save your crew from certain death.

[Burzum]

great post mate!

[Biggles]

Nah, what I can remember I didn't think it was to hard in 44-45. Now I am playing at 0% realism, but still.....

During the last months of the war I mostly ignored the orders and fooled around in the baltic, I didn't get punished and I sank a lot of ships there, mostly Russians, and to my suprise, a coupple of Polish merchants!!

[_Seth_]

Well, after some seriouse upgrades of my sub, i was ready to go to war. But suddenly...."the war ended".....WHAT??? Why dont make a mod where you can depart after the war has ended, and blast all the ships you see out of the water? And maybe be at war with the whole world at the same time?`?????????
Bohaaaa-bohaaaa (evil laughter...)

[Skubber]

Originally Posted by Biggles

I didn't think it was to hard in 44-45. Now I am playing at 0% realism, but still.....

Hmm... :hmm: I wonder if I'm finding it hard because I play at 100% realism. Maybe?

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Skubber

Hmm... :hmm: I wonder if I'm finding it hard because I play at 100% realism. Maybe?

Why would anyone want to play at 100%? What are you, some kind of history nut? Want to imagine you're really in a submarine instead of playing a "kill 'em all" game?

Some people. Sheesh!

My kind of guy, actually.

[HunterICX]

well actually , the early war times are there so you can sink as many ships to upgrade your sub to the max. so you'll be a little prepared of what has to come after '43

I love the fact that from 43 - 45 the Enemy gets better that you try your best when under attack to survive.

dont you love the feeling of beeing in the commander room when you hear the freaky Asdic hitting ur sub, and then its silent you hear the screws and DC getting dropped into the water, you order to evade them but its to late....BOOM!!! german screaming of Ships damaged sir!!! we have flooding sir!!! and when the lights turn on again you go look at the crew management and you're like ow crap...you quikly set the repair crew to the max and as much crew into the compartments that have mayor floodings..
you have to admit , you love the way that goes

[The Munster]

@Skubber..how early can you fire off the ladder-pattern torpedoes ? I'm in 44' and decided to try them on my next Patrol.
The other thing is .. have you tried using the snorkel in a storm ? It's not that effective, my [engine] crew keep flippin from electric to diesel compartments then back again.. dunno if you've noticed this ?!

What I have noticed at this stage is a larger presence of enemy aircraft; as soon as I receive an 'aircraft spotted' I just dive as 9 times out of 10 it's a Liberator or the like.

[fredbass]

Well I'm in February of 43 now, so I expect it to get tough fairly soon. I've pretty much upgraded as much as I can to this point and currently have about 5000 renown with my IXC. So what is the best boat for late war? What other upgrades will I see besides the snorkel, torpedoes and boat type?

Oh, one more thing: Which boat do you all prefer for late war?

Thanks.

[HunterICX]

@Fredbass,

the IXC is a good boat, get it upgraded with some good equipment, its better to have 1 good upgraded submarine then a newer Stock Submarine.

the IXC and VIIC are good boats for late in the war.