VIIB vs VIIC

[deadactionman]

Having read everyone's comments, I think I'll stick with the VIIB until the IX becomes available... anyone know how much renown I'll need? Does the BdU offer credit facilities?

[Ducimus]

Originally Posted by deadactionman

Having read everyone's comments, I think I'll stick with the VIIB until the IX becomes available...

First ask yourself if you like long range patrols, and don't mind long (often boring) transits to and from your area of operations.

The renown i beleive is about 5000 to 6000 for an IXB or C, and 9000 for an IXD2 if i remember correctly.

[Threadfin]

I think it's 7500 when it first becomes available in fall of '40, then drops to 6500 a few months later.

[Khayman]

I think if you're being offered a VIIC then the IXB should also be an option. Remember you have to be in the right flotilla to get one. Check out http://www.communitymanuals.com/shii...areer_Timeline it has flotilla info and the renown cost of each boat.

[Keelbuster]

Right now I'm hunting in my VIIB off of Newfoundland, care of U461 Milkcow.

Kb

[andy_311]

I have a IXD2 her dive speed to pd is 42 seconds.torpedo load out is great,with 12 realoads,6 internal and 6,external rear,2 tubes 2 reloads and 4 extra one cool boat only snag is the 42 second dive to pd and in 44 that's is a very long time belive me.

[deadactionman]

Originally Posted by Khayman

Check out http://www.communitymanuals.com/shii...areer_Timeline

A fantastic resource... thanks

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by andy_311

I have a IXD2 her dive speed to pd is 42 seconds.torpedo load out is great,with 12 realoads,6 internal and 6,external rear,2 tubes 2 reloads and 4 extra one cool boat only snag is the 42 second dive to pd and in 44 that's is a very long time belive me.

Yeah i agree. That single thing is the ONLY flaw in the D2. Other than that i reckon that is the best boat overall.

[Keelbuster]

Originally Posted by Scorpius

Yeah i agree. That single thing is the ONLY flaw in the D2. Other than that i reckon that is the best boat overall.

For me it's all about evasion underwater. I don't care too much about torpedoe capacity (so long as I can really harsh a single convoy; take 1/3rd of the ships) because I can just run more patrols rather than fewer longer patrols. I find the IX class boats are sluggish underwater, which often means death when facing determined escorts. The VII is nimble and small, which in my mind, is all that matters. Massive loadout is good in the early war, but in the late ware you _want_ to run out of torpedoes so the patrol can end honourably.

Kb

[Ducimus]

The reality is the only major drawback to an IX boat underwater is its slow turning. Reason i say this is because 95% of the escorts in this game are freaking stupid. I have only died to a depthcharging TWICE ever, in an VII or IX boat in this game that i can recall from playing SH3 off and on for over a year now.

Proof? Aug, 1943, grid EE61 i think it was. (this morning acutally) I slammed two STEAM torpedos into the side of a bogue escort carrier that was part of an HK group. The outter guard was probably 1500 meters off my starboard bow.

Not so much as ONE ping. from ANY of them. I acutaly went back up to periscope depth, hard rudder to bring my stern tubes to bear on the carrier. All the while DE's are passing me by, looking yes, but not doing anything.
I looked up that HK group in the RND layer right after, crewrating is 3. veteran.

Very disappointing.

[deadactionman]

Well I've finally got my hands on an IXB. If I don't like it, I'll just open a previous save... or would that be considered cheating?

Would you buy a car without a test drive?

[Ducimus]

Nah its a game, have fun.

[Scorpius]

I agree. Its a game, do what you want.

[Keelbuster]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

The reality is the only major drawback to an IX boat underwater is its slow turning. Reason i say this is because 95% of the escorts in this game are freaking stupid. I have only died to a depthcharging TWICE ever, in an VII or IX boat in this game that i can recall from playing SH3 off and on for over a year now.

Proof? Aug, 1943, grid EE61 i think it was. (this morning acutally) I slammed two STEAM torpedos into the side of a bogue escort carrier that was part of an HK group. The outter guard was probably 1500 meters off my starboard bow.

Not so much as ONE ping. from ANY of them. I acutaly went back up to periscope depth, hard rudder to bring my stern tubes to bear on the carrier. All the while DE's are passing me by, looking yes, but not doing anything.
I looked up that HK group in the RND layer right after, crewrating is 3. veteran.

Very disappointing.

I had a few careers where I was never DCed. But the last two careers ended by DC - extended hunting, with all my best efforts (ear on the hydrophone throughout) followed by a CRUNCH. Both times it was clear weather, and a pack of Black Swans went mean on me. Consider yerself lucky - you IX boys hunt single merchants for a living. Convoy bandits (aka VII) are much more likely to get DCed to death.

Kb

[deadactionman]

So much for the maiden voyage of U-124...

Departed from Lorient and ordered to patrol AN52. I decided to take the long way round to avoid the channel (or rather getting killed in it) and so far I've seen nothing! Not a blip on the hydrophone, not a "Ship Spotted" from the WO and not even a contact report from BdU.

Looks like I've scared the British fleet out of the water!