the best way to sink a destroyer

[Zajcev]

Originally Posted by predavolk

Are you using realistic settings? It seems that me that unless your magnetic torps are really reliable, you could be in for a rough ride shooting just one at the target!

I play with realism 49% - that is everything is on, except for the "No ***" settings, manual targeting is off. Dud torpedoes are enabled. For me, for some strange reason magnetic torps are very reliable in 1940-1941. I didn't do anything with the game, its stock 1.4 without mods. I haven't had any premature detonations in clear weather, only in high waves and storm. I don't attack from very long range, so the depth problem with torpedoes probably doesn't have time to manifest itself.

Anyway, if the 1st way fails, you can still apply the 2nd.

[Letum]

This is not a criticism, but historically destroyers where not attacked unless they presented a favorable target (i.e. 10knts in a straight line at 90 AOB) or the U-boat had acoustic torps on board.

The U-Boats where at war with supplys, not ships.

[bigboywooly]

Originally Posted by Letum

This is not a criticism, but historically destroyers where not attacked unless they presented a favorable target (i.e. 10knts in a straight line at 90 AOB) or the U-boat had acoustic torps on board.

The U-Boats where at war with supplys, not ships.

Not strictly true

Bdu KTB April 1940

Doenitz response to

Enquiry into Torpedo Failures
M 83 S/42 Most Secret III copy

Both sources point out that a change over to contact detonators would mean the discontinuation of attacks on destroyers owing to the probability of undershooting. On no account especially after the events of today forenoon (destroyer battle off Narvik) can I abandon anti-destroyer warfare, as for the most part, without it, U-boats would be unable to carry out their duties.

[Chisum]

I have already use both of your solutions.

First is very dangerous.
I remember in my first campagn(SH3 GWX 1.02 in 54% realismus), in a very big convoy, 3 destroyers killed by my gun(3 gunner specialist + 1 officer gun-specialist).
But they fired me hardly and tuch many time my ship.


Second is easy in the first part, let them coming it's easy.
But don't lose your first fire !

Finally I prefer "the fox solution".
Run silent, run slowly and invisible, wait the destroyer navigate on a straight line and fire it as long as possible but by 90°, torpedo deep 1 m and set to impact(I never shot on magnetic).
After that just pried he don't change the line...

[Jimbuna]

Only attack them if they present a danger to my boat....there tonnage is negligible anyway

[Sandman_28054]

I tend to leave them alone because as it was said, the tonnage just isn't worth it.

But I have also found out that the hulls are extremely weak.

A single torp, fired into the side, port or starboard sides, usually is enough to sink them.

The Clemson and Tribal class destroyers are hard to sink, so I usually just try to avoid them.

Best advice, avoid them if all possible, but if not, a shot from the side will sink them.

That is my experience.

[Sirkam]

As jimbuna says, the tonnage got sinking a DD is little. Just avoid them.
I remember playing the stock SH3 1.3 for the first time, the best position to attack a DD is 90º from Port or starboard and set the pistol to the magnetic position and (if i remember well) put the torpedo deep to 3 - 3,5 meters, depending the type of the DD.

If you have to choice between a DD and a C3 cargo.... the C3 cargo taste like the sweet honey .