Perspective from a complete newbie :(

[Gerald]

It tends to stop when you get the message, or very close to the land or other ships in the vicinity

[poetic hunter]

Yeah, I understand that it slows down when I encounter enemy ships etc.

I'm talking about it just not working anymore. Like I would try to increase it, and it won't go past 4X, and everything would be crawling like molasses. As I said, this (bug?) usually happens on the map screen.

[Gerald]

you can get settings there for TC,

[Tessa]

Originally Posted by poetic hunter

Thank you for the responses, guys. And I'm glad that Tessa brought up mods.

Ok.

Are there any mods that are strictly bug fixes? You mentioned UI mods that help to improve performance. That sounds like something I would definitely want to try out.

So if you guys could recommend mods that are strictly bug fixes, or a good UI mod, that would be very helpful.


----------------------------------
I am a bit wary about the supermods like GWX for two reasons:

1) I'm still learning the game, and mods usually add more complexity. I don't need more complexity yet.

2) The Grey Wolves mod affects performance, and my computer isn't that powerful. If there was a way to install that mod without the graphics improvements, that would be cool.

Long as you've got down basic navigation and torpedo shooting (recommend using the Weapons Officer until you're the game starts becoming second nature) continuing to use the stock game will only start to hold you back. GWX may seem intimidating, but you can still take it easy without getting into major trouble. Think of it as a car with a manual transmission but no clutch, you just change gears when you want; once you're confident in your skills you can start using the clutch and get a wider gaming experience.

The basic GWX install has several mods that are aimed to improve game performance like the lite harbor traffic among others. Manos/MEP is one to improve graphic performance, though don't think it causes a major hit on system resources despite the major improvement it makes. SHC and its ability to start patrol at sea removes a lot of annoyances and possibility of running into your own subnets/minefields by leaving port manually (believe this is only a major risk at Salamis where you have to follow a tugboat out of the harbor in order to avoid the minefields); only place it is a hinderance can be Kiel as you won't be about to use the canal to go through Denmark on your way out, you're stuck going around (which I prefer anyways, there's too many ships and other stuff that slows you down in the canal that can make it slower (timewise) or a collision hazard to use, fuelwise it saves you a considerable amount) the long route, unless you want to risk the English channel most usually go around Scottland to get into the Atlantic anyways so isn't a major detour.

Also need to use a skin mod for your boat, camouflage gives you a 10% boost in coolness

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by poetic hunter

Yeah, I understand that it slows down when I encounter enemy ships etc.

I'm talking about it just not working anymore. Like I would try to increase it, and it won't go past 4X, and everything would be crawling like molasses. As I said, this (bug?) usually happens on the map screen.

Can you post the contents of the file:

(My)Documents\SH3\data\cfg\Main.cfg

Just the [TIME COMPRESSION] block will suffice. That way we can see what event might be holding back time compression. Though you probably have default settings, I can't remember what was at level 4.

[poetic hunter]

^I think I figured it out !

The "Hunter State" refers to when an enemy ship is nearby and I'm trying to shoot it, correct? If so, then I see why it won't go past 32 when an enemy is near and I'm trying to chase it down.

Here's my Time compression setting:


[TIME COMPRESSION]
TimeStop=0
RealTime=1
LandProximity=4
CriticalDamage=1
CrewEfficiency=1
AirEnemyDetected=1
SoundEffects=2
CharacterAnim=4
EnemyDetected=8
RadioReport=8
Particles=8
PrayState=8
HunterState=32
3DRender=32
Maximum=2048

----------------------------

32 runs almost as slow as 1 on my computer (on the map screen), and I wonder if your graphics card affects time compression. My graphics card is weak, so...

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by poetic hunter

^I think I figured it out !

The "Hunter State" refers to when an enemy ship is nearby and I'm trying to shoot it, correct? If so, then I see why it won't go past 32 when an enemy is near and I'm trying to chase it down.

Here's my Time compression setting:


[TIME COMPRESSION]
TimeStop=0
RealTime=1
LandProximity=4
CriticalDamage=1
CrewEfficiency=1
AirEnemyDetected=1
SoundEffects=2
CharacterAnim=4
EnemyDetected=8
RadioReport=8
Particles=8
PrayState=8
HunterState=32
3DRender=32
Maximum=2048

----------------------------

32 runs almost as slow as 1 on my computer (on the map screen), and I wonder if your graphics card affects time compression. My graphics card is weak, so...

so I do not exceed 128 TC,potential increases are not directly at high TC, and also can cause undesirable effects.

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by poetic hunter

^I think I figured it out !

The "Hunter State" refers to when an enemy ship is nearby and I'm trying to shoot it, correct? If so, then I see why it won't go past 32 when an enemy is near and I'm trying to chase it down.

Yes, but you also said it happening at TC level 4. This would imply that you are over dangerously shallow depth. (LandProximity)

32 runs almost as slow as 1 on my computer (on the map screen), and I wonder if your graphics card affects time compression. My graphics card is weak, so...

In my experience the map is much more easy to draw for your graphics card because it is just 2D. I allways get framerates up in the 100, versus 20-30 in 3d, like on the bridge. But I have a modern laptop. Eitherway, those are the numbers that you can tweak to set the TC limits. 3DRender defines the TC level at which your crew is still rendered in 3D views, but also the level at which the crew's fatigue levels are no longer updated. I haven't got a clue what 'PrayState' means.

[poetic hunter]

Alright then. I will take the plunge and install GWX 3. Perhaps I will get better overall performance with that mod, and time compression would be less of an issue.

*Deep breath* Hope my laptop doesn't blow up after installing the megamod.

[poetic hunter]

UPDATE: (If anyone still cares)

*sigh* I'm about to give up on this game and call it "wasted potential." I really really did enjoy what I saw in the scenarios in the training mode, but career mode is not enjoyable for some reason.

Let me try to explain:

I did install the Grey wolves expansion. Just the base expansion with no extra mods or anything. While the UI has improved, the career mode is still the same confusing mess.

There are just so many little things that are frustrating me about career mode, and they add up.

Number one: Boring objectives. I get two mission objectives...every single patrol so far. Go to Grid X. Patrol Grid X for 24 hours. Is this what career mode is all about?



Number 2: Having to travel out of port to get to your objective and having to return to port is annoying.

In GWX, The starting port at Kiel gets frustrating. I have to dodge through traffic, and go all the way around a country to get to grid AN 81. This is tedious as it takes a long time, and then my crew starts gettign tired. Which leads to number 3.

Number 3: There is possibly a bug involving tired crew members. After they get tired, there seems to be no way to replenish their energy. I stop the boat, put everyone in deck or stern quarters, and just sit there for days. But as soon as I put them back on duty ...red exclamation mark, and they're all tired again.

Number 4: No way to indicate what ships I should sink. In the vanilla game, enemy ships showed up as red. After installing GWX, all the merchant ships I encounter are blue. Are these allies or enemies? I haven't ran into one red ship yet.

Number 5: I'm still confused about how to end a patrol after completing the mission objectives. I can't go back home to port, because at that point, my crew is tired,and no amount of resting gets them back (see number 3). If I press the "escape" button and click on "exit patrol" the patrol ends, but I'm not sure if I get credit for it or not. It just starts patrol two where the objectives are almost exactly the same as patrol one: 1. Go to Grid X. 2. Patrol Grid X for 24 hours. *sigh*

Number 6: I got a radio message from GWX stating that all ships in Konigsberg should go back to Konigsberg. My sub was far away from Konigsberg when that radio message appeared. Did it still apply to me?

[Jimbuna]

If you haven't already, might I suggest you read the comprehensive manual that came with GWX.

[Draka]

"Number one: Boring objectives. I get two mission objectives...every single patrol so far. Go to Grid X. Patrol Grid X for 24 hours. Is this what career mode is all about?"

In real life, that is exactly what the vast majority of orders were. Although it was supposed to be for the entire patrol - other posts will tell you that the 24 hour thing is a left-over from early dynamic campaign model that was never fully developed. What it means is that BdU is sending you to what they think is a strategic location - after the 24 hours you are free to use your own judgement as to exactly where to go to best add to the war effort. THAT takes a lot of study as to the convoy routes, best chokepoints, etc - all that historical stuff MOST of us play to simulate. Add in SH3 Commander, and you can set your OWN patrol location.

"Number 2: Having to travel out of port to get to your objective and having to return to port is annoying.

In GWX, The starting port at Kiel gets frustrating. I have to dodge through traffic, and go all the way around a country to get to grid AN 81. This is tedious as it takes a long time, and then my crew starts gettign tired. Which leads to number 3."

Can't really help you on this one - as a real life ex-sailboat owner I ENJOY the maneuvering aspects - I actually leave from the wharf and return to same - backing in as was done in real life. Again - this is an immersion factor and adds to the enjoyment FOR ME.

"Number 3: There is possibly a bug involving tired crew members. After they get tired, there seems to be no way to replenish their energy. I stop the boat, put everyone in deck or stern quarters, and just sit there for days. But as soon as I put them back on duty ...red exclamation mark, and they're all tired again."

SH3 Commander will help here as well - you can choose various different fatigue models including turning it off. But the basics are these: Only have as many crew in the needed compartments to make that bar green (about half way) and leave all others in quarters. In addition, the higher TC (Time Compression) settings turn off the fatigue. Only fully man all compartments during battle of other emergency situations. I actually use the "No fatigue" model - as in real life "Nummer eins" - the bosun - would run the crew roster, along with the IWO - that is not the duty of a Kaleun, aside from ensuring that the other two are in fact doing their duties.

"Number 4: No way to indicate what ships I should sink. In the vanilla game, enemy ships showed up as red. After installing GWX, all the merchant ships I encounter are blue. Are these allies or enemies? I haven't ran into one red ship yet."

Again - immersion factor. Remember that stock is still somewhat gamish - the supermods attempt to go closer to reality. In real life, the only way to know if a ship's state is to get close enough to see thier flag - and know which countries you are currently at war with. There is a pull-out menu that lists what the exact state of each country modelled is at variuos points in the timeline - I just happen to know as I am a serious military history buff. Others will tell you how to look it up.

"Number 5: I'm still confused about how to end a patrol after completing the mission objectives. I can't go back home to port, because at that point, my crew is tired,and no amount of resting gets them back (see number 3). If I press the "escape" button and click on "exit patrol" the patrol ends, but I'm not sure if I get credit for it or not. It just starts patrol two where the objectives are almost exactly the same as patrol one: 1. Go to Grid X. 2. Patrol Grid X for 24 hours. *sigh*"

Á patrol ends once you have returned to port and docked - or died! Having returned to port, you can now re-fuel (auto), re-arm (change out different loadouts depending on available munitions), upgrade equipment, etc. Then you go out again - and yes, that is the whole objective - sink 'em all!

"Number 6: I got a radio message from GWX stating that all ships in Konigsberg should go back to Konigsberg. My sub was far away from Konigsberg when that radio message appeared. Did it still apply to me?"

That is a feature of GWX - as that message only appears in Aug 1939. If you had read the orders, it told you that you were to only stay in the near area (AO98 IIRC) and run on the practice ships in that bay. GWX starts you on 1 Aug '39 - and the war doesn't start until 1 Sept. So what you do is shake down your boat, run practice runs until early morning 4 Aug - when you are told to return to Konigsberg, when your base will change to Kiel from that point on - and the next mission will be a real war patrol. Historically the 7.Flottille did move just before war start from those locations - again, an immersion factor.

Others will amplify these remarks - but the entire basis of this Forum and most of us is to as much as possible place ourselves in the place of a Uboat commander in this era - and there is a lot of things "under the hood" that are taken for granted - the entrrest in history, real specifications of the vessels and their equipment, the convoy system and how to defeat it - all of that. A very steep learning curve - but to us worth it in the end.

[Sailor Steve]

Well said, Draka!

Originally Posted by Draka

other posts will tell you that the 24 hour thing is a left-over from early dynamic campaign model that was never fully developed.

Actually it was a totally non-dynamic campaign that was rewritten after a major protest from the community.

[Mr_Kaizer]

Originally Posted by poetic hunter

UPDATE: (If anyone still cares)

*sigh* I'm about to give up on this game and call it "wasted potential." I really really did enjoy what I saw in the scenarios in the training mode, but career mode is not enjoyable for some reason.

Let me try to explain:

I did install the Grey wolves expansion. Just the base expansion with no extra mods or anything. While the UI has improved, the career mode is still the same confusing mess.

There are just so many little things that are frustrating me about career mode, and they add up.

Number one: Boring objectives. I get two mission objectives...every single patrol so far. Go to Grid X. Patrol Grid X for 24 hours. Is this what career mode is all about?



Number 2: Having to travel out of port to get to your objective and having to return to port is annoying.

In GWX, The starting port at Kiel gets frustrating. I have to dodge through traffic, and go all the way around a country to get to grid AN 81. This is tedious as it takes a long time, and then my crew starts gettign tired. Which leads to number 3.

Number 3: There is possibly a bug involving tired crew members. After they get tired, there seems to be no way to replenish their energy. I stop the boat, put everyone in deck or stern quarters, and just sit there for days. But as soon as I put them back on duty ...red exclamation mark, and they're all tired again.

Number 4: No way to indicate what ships I should sink. In the vanilla game, enemy ships showed up as red. After installing GWX, all the merchant ships I encounter are blue. Are these allies or enemies? I haven't ran into one red ship yet.

Number 5: I'm still confused about how to end a patrol after completing the mission objectives. I can't go back home to port, because at that point, my crew is tired,and no amount of resting gets them back (see number 3). If I press the "escape" button and click on "exit patrol" the patrol ends, but I'm not sure if I get credit for it or not. It just starts patrol two where the objectives are almost exactly the same as patrol one: 1. Go to Grid X. 2. Patrol Grid X for 24 hours. *sigh*

Number 6: I got a radio message from GWX stating that all ships in Konigsberg should go back to Konigsberg. My sub was far away from Konigsberg when that radio message appeared. Did it still apply to me?

As for number 2, you could use the Kiel channel to cut down travel time. I haven't actually tried it myself yet. I'm new to GWX myself, and I'm currently based at Wilhelmshaven (where the channel exits IIRC).

As for the tired crewmembers, they only get tired at TC speeds under...64 is it? And I believe that they only get rested at TC speeds below that as well.

[flag4]

Originally Posted by poetic hunter

UPDATE: (If anyone still cares)

*sigh* I'm about to give up on this game and call it "wasted potential." I really really did enjoy what I saw in the scenarios in the training mode, but career mode is not enjoyable for some reason.

Let me try to explain:

I did install the Grey wolves expansion. Just the base expansion with no extra mods or anything. While the UI has improved, the career mode is still the same confusing mess.

There are just so many little things that are frustrating me about career mode, and they add up.

Number one: Boring objectives. I get two mission objectives...every single patrol so far. Go to Grid X. Patrol Grid X for 24 hours. Is this what career mode is all about?



Number 2: Having to travel out of port to get to your objective and having to return to port is annoying.

In GWX, The starting port at Kiel gets frustrating. I have to dodge through traffic, and go all the way around a country to get to grid AN 81. This is tedious as it takes a long time, and then my crew starts gettign tired. Which leads to number 3.

Number 3: There is possibly a bug involving tired crew members. After they get tired, there seems to be no way to replenish their energy. I stop the boat, put everyone in deck or stern quarters, and just sit there for days. But as soon as I put them back on duty ...red exclamation mark, and they're all tired again.

Number 4: No way to indicate what ships I should sink. In the vanilla game, enemy ships showed up as red. After installing GWX, all the merchant ships I encounter are blue. Are these allies or enemies? I haven't ran into one red ship yet.

Number 5: I'm still confused about how to end a patrol after completing the mission objectives. I can't go back home to port, because at that point, my crew is tired,and no amount of resting gets them back (see number 3). If I press the "escape" button and click on "exit patrol" the patrol ends, but I'm not sure if I get credit for it or not. It just starts patrol two where the objectives are almost exactly the same as patrol one: 1. Go to Grid X. 2. Patrol Grid X for 24 hours. *sigh*

Number 6: I got a radio message from GWX stating that all ships in Konigsberg should go back to Konigsberg. My sub was far away from Konigsberg when that radio message appeared. Did it still apply to me?

its a shame you feel this way. i'll have a pop at a few of your problems.

boring objectives: you can go where you like. learn the hunting grounds: someone may throw up a list for you ie BF13/15 for incoming convoys.

having to travel: there is an option in SHCommander to start patrol at sea. switch to Williamshaven: you are on the north sea coast of Germany
start later in the war and go from the bay of biscay bases.

crew tired: they will - if new. you need to cycle them. check them, swop them around. (theres maybe something else here with tired crew but dont know what. maybe in SHCommander - you may have a fatigue model employed.)

which ships: check the flags. if they are neutral - dont sink. if they are allies, do. use outside camera to cheat if you dont want to wait and get close to check.

end patrol: click Esc. click 'save and exit.' if you are half way through and dont want to finish. when you come back load that save and you're back on that patrol. also, you have continue mission and return to base. self explanetary really - carry on or go home. if you go home your patrol is over. thats what i understand.

messages: messages are for immersion only - as far as i know. i think there are mods that make them more worth while though.


i think that when you get around these things you will be sailing!!
dont give up. its worth it. patience is a virtue here - you'll need alot of it. OR you can go to Single Missions and get stuck in straight away.

keep coming back and asking questions - there is never a silly one


....hmmm, have i made any silly mistakes