ALL THE MISSING FEATURES THAT A WWII SUBMARINE SIMULATION SHOULD HAVE

[Mister_M]

I understand your point of view. You have probably played this game before SH3 was created, so you are judging SH3 with AOD as a "reference". I do the same thing myself, but SH3 being my reference. Well, probably, deception is more influencing our judgment than joy for the improved features. So, you were so disappointed by SH3's AI that you state that AOD is a better "simulation", and I probably do the same. Yes, we can't stand a regression compared to what we have already played, so we get angry and leave.

I will try to play more missions with AOD, but I need to learn the game's "logic" (way of working), and also the keyboard shortcuts. For example, when a DD is coming for a DC attack, what are your options to increase your chance of survival (apart from praying ) ? By the way, it was very "anxiogene" when I heard DD's propellers coming over me, well done, i guess it's a main feature !

Else, the very first convoy mission I've played was disappointing. I didn't see any ship on the surface (even with bino), so I asked the Watch officer to give me contacts, and he said ennemy bearing 348°. So I looked with bino at 348 (of my sub) and saw nothing. So I sailed full speed on new course (south) but still nothing. Then, after several minutes, I went to the nav map and saw points north of me. Some time later, I discovered that it was in fact the COURSE of the convoy which was 348°. Is it a known issue ?

[John Pancoast]

Originally Posted by Mister_M

I understand your point of view. You have probably played this game before SH3 was created, so you are judging SH3 with AOD as a "reference". I do the same thing myself, but SH3 being my reference. Well, probably, deception is more influencing our judgment than joy for the improved features. So, you were so disappointed by SH3's AI that you state that AOD is a better "simulation", and I probably do the same. Yes, we can't stand a regression compared to what we have already played, so we get angry and leave.

I will try to play more missions with AOD, but I need to learn the game's "logic" (way of working), and also the keyboard shortcuts. For example, when a DD is coming for a DC attack, what are your options to increase your chance of survival (apart from praying ) ? By the way, it was very "anxiogene" when I heard DD's propellers coming over me, well done, i guess it's a main feature !

Else, the very first convoy mission I've played was disappointing. I didn't see any ship on the surface (even with bino), so I asked the Watch officer to give me contacts, and he said ennemy bearing 348°. So I looked with bino at 348 (of my sub) and saw nothing. So I sailed full speed on new course (south) but still nothing. Then, after several minutes, I went to the nav map and saw points north of me. Some time later, I discovered that it was in fact the COURSE of the convoy which was 348°. Is it a known issue ?

In terms of escort evasion, if I'm being chased I like to double back on them once submerged and try to go under them. I.e., if they're course is 90 degrees, I would turn to 270.
If already submerged and being hunted, depth is your friend, along with speed. However, anything past 180 meters allows water to seep in, which activates bilge pumps to get rid of it. Bilge pump/compressed air noise is detected in AOD, unlike SH3. Pay attention to your gauges via the G key. Silent running helps, but unlike SH3, you can't leave it always on as water will seep in the boat since silent running turns off the pumps.
Otherwise the usual tactics; keep your profile correct. I like to change depth, speed, and maybe course when depth charges are coming.

Depth charge noise will cover you in AOD, unlike SH3, so that's a good time for evasion too. Unlike SH3 where you can many times ignore the escorts and what they're up to while being hunted, in AOD one needs to pay attention to them.


Also, pay attention to the red spokes showing the escorts asdic. If they move fast, the escort is close and vice versa.
Going to take some experimenting to get the hang of things since you don't have a manual/cd.


I'm not sure I understand your ship finding example, sorry.

[John Pancoast]

I think I now understand your ship finding problem example. AOD bearings are usually the *true* bearing. I.e., in your example the ship was at 348 true, not 348 from your course.

[John Pancoast]

Another tip when on the surface. Unlike SH3 where all your watch crew does is notify you of a ship approaching/seen and you have to check yourself if it's an escort or something else, AOD's crew will tell you if such ship is an escort or not. Can help assessing danger or not.
However, all of the AOD crew's functions are dependent on crew quality; green crews aren't as good at them as elite crews, i.e.