SH4 noob, overwhelmed with mod options

[Panser]

I've decided I would like a change of pace from SH3, a game I have been playing on and off for 5 years. For the first time I have picked up SH4 with the U-Boat missions add-on. I'd previously overlooked SH4 since release given that I had little or no interest in US sub operations, a position no doubt not helped by my general ignorance of the topic and the lack of attention the subject generally receives in the UK.

Still, being something I would not normally go for I figure it would make an ideal change. I installed the game the other day and have finished the training school missions a couple of times and went a lot better than expected.

Having read around on here I get the impression that using some of the available mods is highly recommended, even for new players, and this is where I have come unstuck. Options to enhance the US side, options to enhance the UBM addon, even atlantic operations. I've been truly missing out all this time and now don't even know where to start. The mechanics of using mods with JSGME is not the problem, just the choice of what to use and with what else.

I guess my post falls into three questions, one more open than the other two.

1) Are there any mods for SH4 that are analogous to the GWX/NYGM supermods for SH3 in terms of scale and completeness?

2) Can mods for different theatres and nationalities be installed side by side, or do I have to make a choice / run multiple installs? Specifically, can I run any of the US PTO mods and UBM mods in parallel or are they mutually exclusive?

3) Lastly, what are considered to be popular and/or reliable combinations of mods for the various facets of gameplay (US/German/ATO)? Obviously something as subjective as "the best" is pointless to ask but hopefully there will be a general consensus on which mods are complementary to one another.

Sorry to post such a wall of text and I thank anyone who has reached this far for their patience. Again, I appreciate that most of this information is out there already but I have looked through the forums, searched and looked at my options on the downloads section and have not really found found the answers I'm looking for in a manner that I understand.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Panser

I
Having read around on here I get the impression that using some of the available mods is highly recommended, even for new players

you don't have to be in a hurry to install mods. Stock SH4 is playable and enjoyable without mods. The Mods improve the game, but can hardly be considered mandatory. Most people on this site use mods, probably the majority of the public that plays SH4 don't.

I've been truly missing out all this time and now don't even know where to start. The mechanics of using mods with JSGME is not the problem, just the choice of what to use and with what else.

You can't go wrong with sticking with one of the "mega mods" that are on the download pages. That would be a good place to start - one mod, not mod soup.

I guess my post falls into three questions, one more open than the other two. [/quote]

1) Are there any mods for SH4 that are analogous to the GWX/NYGM supermods for SH3 in terms of scale and completeness?

Difficult to answer. GWX is great, TMO and RFB are also great. Can one compare RFB with GWX? I don't think so.

2) Can mods for different theatres and nationalities be installed side by side, or do I have to make a choice / run multiple installs? Specifically, can I run any of the US PTO mods and UBM mods in parallel or are they mutually exclusive? [/quote}

I am not aware of any mods that are mutually exclusive between the Theaters, however I rarely play the SH4 uboats. When you are installing mods, make sure you are installing the right mod for your version of the game.

You will probably get 1,000 different answers to this one and they will all be correct. Personally, I am more interested in a simulation for a submarine, so I am very happy with RFB (real fleet boat). Others are more interested in a simulation of submarine missions/patrols and they are happy with TMO (Trigger Maru). Who is right? Both are. One thing that is nice is that another big mod, RSRD (Run Silent Run Deep) can be installed with either RFB or TMO.

My worthless recommendation is to initially stick with one of the mega mods (RFB or TMO) try them for a while, then start researching the other mods (RSRD) or the smaller mods that address specific issues. There is no best combination of mods, only popular ones. Some like to play with mod soup and others prefer only a few mods. Who is right? They both are.

Good luck and the bestest thing about JSGME is that it makes it easy to experiment with the mods of your choice.

Sorry to post such a wall of text and I thank anyone who has reached this far for their patience. Again, I appreciate that most of this information is out there already but I have looked through the forums, searched and looked at my options on the downloads section and have not really found found the answers I'm looking for in a manner that I understand.

[Ducimus]

Stock SH4 is playable and enjoyable without mods. The Mods improve the game, but can hardly be considered mandatory

I respectfully disagree. Stock SH4 is horrid. Friends don't let friends play vanilla SH4. I don't care what supermod people use, just don't play SH4 vanilla. It will traumatize you!

[tater]

There basically two supermods that alter the behavior of the submarine, RFB, and TMO. TMO also has a campaign component, while RFB relies on Run Silent, Run Deep Campaign (RSRDC). RSRDC is also available for TMO, as well as stock.

The stock campaign is abysmal.

Abysmal. Nothing about it is acceptable, IMHO. It's not the least bit realistic from a historical standpoint, and as a GAME, it's nothing if not boring. The convoys are overescorted, yet the escorts are 100% incompetent. They didn't even get Midway right (too few CVs, LOL, dunno how you mess that one up).

So IMO, RSRDC is mandatory, unless you are running TMO, in which case the TMO campaign or RSRDC is available.

RFB vs TMO is preference.

Playing stock is a bad idea, IMO, and playing the stock campaign is unforgivable.

[Ducimus]

So Tater, how do you really feel about the stock campaign?

Anyway, what tater said. Since im one of the yahoo's responsible for one of said mods, i have this social obligation to keep my yap shut and let people who play SH4 speak for themselves.

[tater]

TMO makes the gameplay harder, of the two. Meaning that you'll be forced to act like a real skipper because the enemy will kill you otherwise. RFB is more forgiving, but you will still have to fight the boat, particularly with more than one escort, and/or in shallow water (and much of the PTO is shallow).

If you are a skilled ATO player, you'll be fine with either TMO or RFB. Try both.

RSRDC is not optional for RFB unless you have incredibly low standards.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

I respectfully disagree.

Nothing wrong with disagreements. Our members are best served when they are given different opinions on a topic. In this case, they were given two opinions:

1. The right opinion
2. Your opinion

[Ducimus]

Ouch! Oh....

[Platapus]

Thank you, you have been a great thread. I will be here all week. Remember to tip the veal and try the waitress.