Deploying Decoys

[Sandman_28054]

After many months of playing SH3, I've finally figured out how to use the decoys properly.

I was 12500 m ahead of a convoy. They approached as I sat underwater. I managed to fire 6 "fish" before the DD's located me. By this time one was nearly on top of me. (500 m) He approached slow and I could see him increase speed for the kill. I ordered "Ahead Flank," dove to 25 m, and as I went to Flank speed, I released a decoy. The DD stopped dead in her tracks. In fact, she backed up. Once I even got a DD to blow itself up with its own DC's in the "Med."

Boy these things come in handy.

[aj906]

I can't find the key that is bound to releasing the decoys.. I've looked in the control options but haven't seen anything. I know...I know... but give a tired old Kaleun a break - what's the key

[Sandman_28054]

Originally Posted by aj906

I can't find the key that is bound to releasing the decoys.. I've looked in the control options but haven't seen anything. I know...I know... but give a tired old Kaleun a break - what's the key

The "J" key. Press it and it takes perhaps a sec. or two to release them.

[aj906]

ahh many thanks! (and I might add, not a minute too soon! Thanks to your timely reply, U-100 lives to sail again another day)

[Sandman_28054]

Glad I could help.

Good Hunting!

[UnderseaLcpl]

I have limited success with decoys. The only real use I have developed for them is by spamming them as I break off the engagement. When the escorts pick them up they all steam around in a complete cluster****. Hell, even if I didn't need the U-boat farts to get away I'd drop 'em just for the laughs.

[predavolk]

I just got decoys myself, so I'd love to hear more about how you use them, when they are effective, and when they aren't. Personally, I'd be tempted to shoot, drop one, and THEN try to make my get away. Because I presume trouble would already be on its way, and I'd like to fool them right from the start. Would/does this work?

[Jimbuna]

It's usually best to use them from a full ahead perspective.....run up to your fastest submerged speed, drop a decoy and immediately drop to silent running and turn the boat one way or another.

If your already at silent running when you drop one, your only going to draw attention to yourself and not be quick enough to distance yourself from the noise.

Other people may have differing methods, but thia is mine

[aj906]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

It's usually best to use them from a full ahead perspective.....run up to your fastest submerged speed, drop a decoy and immediately drop to silent running and turn the boat one way or another.

If your already at silent running when you drop one, your only going to draw attention to yourself and not be quick enough to distance yourself from the noise.

I would have thought this was accepted wisdom, but the fact it's been stated means it isn't. Still, as posted earlier U-100 rides high on a crest white horses thanks only to the timely intervention of decoys, a double knuckle and 190m!

[Sandman_28054]

Originally Posted by predavolk

I just got decoys myself, so I'd love to hear more about how you use them, when they are effective, and when they aren't. Personally, I'd be tempted to shoot, drop one, and THEN try to make my get away. Because I presume trouble would already be on its way, and I'd like to fool them right from the start. Would/does this work?

Here is my original post:

After many months of playing SH3, I've finally figured out how to use the decoys properly.

I was 12500 m ahead of a convoy. They approached as I sat underwater. I managed to fire 6 "fish" before the DD's located me. By this time one was nearly on top of me. (500 m) He approached slow and I could see him increase speed for the kill. I ordered "Ahead Flank," dove to 25 m, and as I went to Flank speed, I released a decoy. The DD stopped dead in her tracks. In fact, she backed up. Once I even got a DD to blow itself up with its own DC's in the "Med."

Boy these things come in handy.

And it is confirmed by this post:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

It's usually best to use them from a full ahead perspective.....run up to your fastest submerged speed, drop a decoy and immediately drop to silent running and turn the boat one way or another.

If your already at silent running when you drop one, your only going to draw attention to yourself and not be quick enough to distance yourself from the noise.

Other people may have differing methods, but thia is mine

Like I said, I have had the best luck using them when close to the surface (usuallu around the 12-13m mark) seeing the DD go to flank to lay out DC's, go to flank myself and deploy decoys at the same time. I have seen DD's come to a complete stop and back up. While crusing the "Med," I did this once and even got a DD to back up over its own DC's and sink itself. Whats that island off the coast of Sicilicy? It was there that this happened.

Using the external view, watch for the DD to "gear up," or use the hydrophones and listen for the engines to pitch up high, go to flank speed and drop your decoys. Depending on which type you have BOLD 1-2-3, it can give you up to 8 minutes to reach safe distance.

This works very well for me.

Least wise, that has been my experience.

[1480]

As a few have said before: the decoy is only good to "mask" the noise of your boot. It was not designed to fool Asdic but to mimic the sound of prop noise. As JB said if you are prentending to be a hole in the water, never use a decoy. If you are getting hammered by the Tommy DE's, flank speed, release decoy, knuckle hard left or right, wait till you are on a straight course, then order Kleine Fahrt.....all good!!!!

[Cohaagen]

It definitely does not mimic prop noise - it simply creates a cloud of bubbles which create a false ASDIC return. In real life, an experienced ASDIC operator would immediately spot the deception as the false return, being static, doesn't exhibit any doppler shift. In game, the decoys will work whatever your speed, it's just that there's little point in using them except when you've already been detected and are making violent evasive manoeuvres.

[Sandman_28054]

Originally Posted by Cohaagen

It definitely does not mimic prop noise - it simply creates a cloud of bubbles which create a false ASDIC return. In real life, an experienced ASDIC operator would immediately spot the deception as the false return, being static, doesn't exhibit any doppler shift. In game, the decoys will work whatever your speed, it's just that there's little point in using them except when you've already been detected and are making violent evasive manoeuvres.

Now you see, I must make the exception.

Whenever I have used them, I have never really manuvered, I've mostly used Flank speed for up to 3 minutes on a straight course then backed off to "Ahead Slow." This oftentimes allows me to have just enough distance to take a peek astern and hopefully be able to make a good stern shot of whatever is behind me. That is, unless there are three or more DD's there.

However, I have also found out that whenever I'm out of "fish," I can do the same thing and dive to 120 m "knuckle" right or left and sometimes avoid all detection. Not always, but sometimes this works.

And they definately have not worked when I've been running deep. Found that out also.

[1480]

Originally Posted by Cohaagen

It definitely does not mimic prop noise - it simply creates a cloud of bubbles which create a false ASDIC return. In real life, an experienced ASDIC operator would immediately spot the deception as the false return, being static, doesn't exhibit any doppler shift. In game, the decoys will work whatever your speed, it's just that there's little point in using them except when you've already been detected and are making violent evasive manoeuvres.

Sorry, I should have expounded a little: the decoy is designed to mimic cavitation noises (vaporization of water into gas bubbles) , which a boot would produce at full or flank speed. Distance and deception were the only friends to a boot. Yes, the BOLD is static, and an experienced soundman could detect the ruse given time because as you point out there is no movement of the source of the noise. That is why it is not a be all end all. It needs to be used in conjunction with course, depth and speed change. Like a sleight of hand trick. If it can buy you some time and distance then it has done its job, the rest is up to the Kaleun.

[Steve Gad]

I've seriously got to study the manual. I'm so busy enjoying this sim, I haven't read a thing, but having just had two hours playing cat and mouse with a destroyer, knowing I have decoys is more than handy.

There's so much I don't know, yet it's fun finding out, so for now I'm just gonna edge my way through - although I wish I could muster enough renown for a deck gun at least and someone who can load Torpedo's with a little enthusiasm, and within say an hour of being stalked with empty tubes. Failing that someone should make a "Throw that idiot over the side!" Mod.

Once again guys, and not for the last time, I thank you.