Hell, how I suck at this game... I really need help.

[Koranis]

Hello.

Before posting this I've read a lot of threads where more experienced captains described their battles. It seems so easy and cool. Well, cool it is, but it is not easy. I play at 100% realism. I have no problem with finding my targets. I have problems with:

1. Approching the escorted convoys.
2. Calculating firing solutions fast
3. Escaping the DS.


1. Now, how do you manage to get behind the DS screen and shadow the merchants? If I move at 3ks I'm to slow, and even at 3ks I'm being found. At higher speed I make more noise, so what the hell?... Is moving ahead far from the convoy and then waiting for them on the route is the only one way to get into the position?

2. When I reach the ideal position I have always little time left before the dogs smell my scent. Then I fail to calculate the optimal firing solution and thus I loose my good position. The only thing is then retreat and repeat the long approach...

3. When the DS are all around me, the only good tactic I found to be working is to pretend to be dead. But even then it takes an hour! I go deep (VIIB so I go at 175 meters) at 3ks but those buggers keep following me! (it's october 1940). I wait for the charges to explode, than I turn, go as deep as I can, at 3ks, but then those buggers keep following me, again!

What am I doing wrong?

Now, it's my third campaign and I've never reached 1941 before. This campaign is going nicely compared to the previous two, and I have good results: I got bombed but then I got out almost without scratch, I take out the targets and so on. But still I feel I'm not doing it right... The DS got me because of my incompetence at approaching the convoys, and because of my stupid courage, ergo not knowing when it's time to hide my ass. I know that even if my tonnage is high enough, I will get myself killed if I keep playing like this... several times so it's not the good way.

[Dekessey]

I'm not a veteran, but from what you wrote it seems you are not at silent running.

Crews will stop making noise. They shouldn't find you if you dive that deep in 1940.

Don't know what else to tell you.

[Deep-Six]

You should be at 2knots, silent running on, and dont have you periscope up too high. The DDs will see it and shoot at it, and will know where you are at.

Dont be afraid to take out DDs.

Silent running is your friend. Use it, breath it, etc.

[Dantenoc]

It's all about the setup.

You have to do things right from the start, because there is no good way to fix a bad situation.

As the people from Langley would say: "once somebody squeezes the toothpaste out of the tube, it's VERY HARD to get it back in"

So yes, you have to be in good position ahead of the convoy a little bit offset from it's proyected track, ready to slip in once the lead escort goes by or it's a no go altogether from the very start.

If things get messy, because you were detected to soon, weren't able to position yourself correctly or any other similar situation, there is no use in asking "how can I fix this?"... the question should be "How can I avoid messing up the next time?".

[Eagle Eye]

The best approach is to get out in front of the convoy

I use two methods, one is to go very deep, run silent, when the lead DD is close go all stop til he passes then come up to PD you'll usually be in position to hit the last two rows of a convoy. at least 80 meters and you still may be detected if he passes right over your boat
It's best to wait ahead of the convoy track the leading DD and two flanking DD's with marks on the chart . Watch their pattern develop then try to cut in diagonally between the lead DD and the flanker on the side you chose to attack.

Once inside the screen use your scope sparingly to plot you targets so they dont sight you and radio the DDs pick targets near the back of the convoy to give your self as much time as possible to gather youtr info until you get faster at it. There are usually pyro ammo ships in the back row which make great targetsthey explode so nice

To escape. If I'm within the convoy I try to turn in the direction the convoy is traveling to make it hard for the escorts to line up on me. If I'm confident I've not been detected I may try to slip out the back of the convoy instead.
175 isn't deep enough. If you've taken no or light damage go deeper. I've gone to 230 to escape in a type 7. 200-210 should get below their pings at your point in the war. Then make sure your running silent and don't exceed 2 knots. Also never turn at more then 10 degrees unless charges are falling. It makes noise and slows you down.

With plotting a solution quicker...can't help you there as I'm still learning maual firing myself

[Koranis]

I go silent, of course. I know the rules, but I have little experience. And how do I manage to cruise at 2ks? The slowest cruise mode is at 3ks!

Thank you everybody for help.

p.s. Eagle Eye, hell does VII really resist at 230 meters? I don't dare go deeper than 175...

[robbo180265]

Hi mate. Click on the little green circle thingie next to the telegraph and it'll change to a new dial which will alow you to set your speed, ie 1 kts upwards. Call me paranoid but I do 1kts when silent, sometimes they can still hear you at 2kts.

[robbo180265]

AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH! Navy Dude!

[Brag]

[ 1. Now, how do you manage to get behind the DS screen and shadow the merchants? If I move at 3ks I'm to slow, and even at 3ks I'm being found. At higher speed I make more noise, so what the hell?... Is moving ahead far from the convoy and then waiting for them on the route is the only one way to get into the position? ]

At 3 knots you're too bloody fast and noisy. To avoid detection stay at 3 knots or slower!

You must position yourself ahead of the target/convoy. Fire your torpedoes and sneak away. Don't stay in location from which you fired. Read my convoy attack article.

[Spin Doctor]

Originally Posted by Brag

...You must position yourself ahead of the target/convoy. Fire your torpedoes and sneak away. Don't stay in location from which you fired. Read my convoy attack article.

I checked out your convoy article. Nicely done. Looks like the same tactics I'd use.