Choice of boat question..

[Capt. Badbrains]

Hi all, I'm new to SH3, been playing for about a week and I'm thoroughly disgusted with it.. It eats up all of my free time! Been avoiding friends and family so I can spend more quality time on the North Sea.. Simply the best sub sim ever, but you all knew that already!

Got a question about upgrading the boat.. I'm playing stock SH3, it's April 1940, 1st flotilla. I previously upgraded to a IID for the improved range so I wouldn't have to resort to using batteries on the long run back from the Orkneys.. But now I want better armament 'cuz I'm finding more targets than I have torps to deal with.. I can upgrade to a VIIB or VIIC.. From what I can tell, they're pretty much equal but the VIIB has slightly better underwater speed and the C dives a little faster. I'm inclined to go with the VIIB since it costs less reknown..

Does it make sense to go to a type Vll, or should I hold out for a type lX? -Badbrains

[Mooncatt]

well there are very mixed views on this and you will get many different responses. i stuck with the IID then changed flotilla coz i think 7th flotilla uses the IX series earlier in the war than th 1st flotilla. i waited till then and went for the IXB lots of fish for the firing there of

[hyperion2206]

Originally Posted by Capt. Badbrains

Hi all, I'm new to SH3, been playing for about a week and I'm thoroughly disgusted with it.. It eats up all of my free time! Been avoiding friends and family so I can spend more quality time on the North Sea.. Simply the best sub sim ever, but you all knew that already!

Got a question about upgrading the boat.. I'm playing stock SH3, it's April 1940, 1st flotilla. I previously upgraded to a IID for the improved range so I wouldn't have to resort to using batteries on the long run back from the Orkneys.. But now I want better armament 'cuz I'm finding more targets than I have torps to deal with.. I can upgrade to a VIIB or VIIC.. From what I can tell, they're pretty much equal but the VIIB has slightly better underwater speed and the C dives a little faster. I'm inclined to go with the VIIB since it costs less reknown..

Does it make sense to go to a type Vll, or should I hold out for a type lX? -Badbrains

Well, I would get a IX as soon as possible because you get to go to places a VII can't reach and a lot more torpedoes. But as soon as Operation Pukenschlag (operation drumbeat) is over ( ~ June '42) I would go to VIIc because they dive faster which is a big plus if you get attacked.

[Zero Niner]

IMHO, your choice of boat would depend on your playing style.
If you dig being sent to the western part of the Atlantice, or down the west coast of Africa, then a Type-IX is essential. Think of it as a B747 equivalent in terms of endurance.
The Type VII otoh, is like a medium haul aircraft like the Airbus A300. It carries less torps, but is more manoeuverable & dives faster than a Type IX.
If you choose to go for a Type VII, I'd suggest getting a VIIC rather than a B. I think the C gets better conning tower upgrades later on in the war which enable you to mount more flak guns - essential considering Allied aerial ASW capability gets better as the war progresses.
I can't advise you on the Type IX as I'm a Type VII person myself.

[LeafsFan]

Also,

If you are like me and prefer to sink merchants travelling alone, IX is better. If you love the convoy battles VIIC would be the way to go.

HB

[vodkavera]

Originally Posted by LeafsFan

Also,

If you are like me and prefer to sink merchants travelling alone, IX is better. If you love the convoy battles VIIC would be the way to go.

HB

So you mean that you find more alone target down Africa, coast of USA and the Carribean?

/VV

[melnibonian]

Originally Posted by vodkavera

So you mean that you find more alone target down Africa, coast of USA and the Carribean?

Yep especially in the Carribean and along the US and Mexico Coast there are plenty of lone merchants, especially tankers. To reach them you need an IX type boat.