A few questions from a first timer.

[ed3r]

Hey fellas, just got SH4 and its my first subsim so naturally I would have a couple of quick questions.
Does radar work? if so, how?
Can I go deeper than what the gauge on the interface allows? (without sinking of course :P)
Whats the difference between torpedo types?
and last of all - around what time will I be able to upgrade my sub? (or get a new one)
The rest of my queries Im sure will be answered by practice.
Thanks - see you round on the forums.

[Capt. Shark Bait]

first sub sim here too, not counting the BF42 subs . anyway, nope radar no workie, altho i found on my boat that it isn't available for that class, so i don't know what the real story is. go to deep you is . mk14 better than mk10. dunno

[Karl-Heinz Jaeger]

Hey Ed3r,

Welcome to Subsim Shipmatey! Congrats on buying SHIV, despite the flaws it's still a good solid game and once the modding chaps here get their hands on it, it will be even better.

To answer your questions:

Does radar work? if so, how?

Radar does work, but even though you have 2 crewmen manning the Radar station, your sub might not actually have Surface Radar installed. I too wondered why I had a Radar station if it didn't work. Turns out the Station is there even if you don't have the Radar installed. You may have to upgrade your sub since most done come pre-installed. The Ship Radar is different than the SD Air Radar, which doesn't seem to have it's own station. You can check what is installed on your sub in the Damage Control screen in game, or click on the model submarine on the desk when you are in port between patrols.

Can I go deeper than what the gauge on the interface allows? (without sinking of course :P)

You can is the short answer, but not very much and it tends not to agree with the pressure hull! In SHIII the modders had it so actual crush depth varied each patrol, but as far as I can tell with SHIV there isn't too much leeway with how deep you go under the limit.

Whats the difference between torpedo types?

Just earlier and later designs, historically accurate to what was available to US Sub captains at that time. As to how they perform, from what I can tell the Mark 10 is more reliable than the Mark 14 which had performance issues and occasionally will circle around and head for your sub after you fire it. The Mark 10 has a smaller warhead aswell, which in theory means more fish per target, unless you hit the sweet spots

and last of all - around what time will I be able to upgrade my sub?

You can upgrade your sub at the beginning of every career, and between patrols provided there are upgrades available and you have enough 'Renown' stocked up to be able to 'buy' them. Renown is earned for succesful sinkings and completing missions, and is also used to 'buy' more experienced and higher ranking crewmen to fill up any empty slots on your boat. Remember that depending on the date, most or all of the later technologies will not be available. A tip which I and a few others have found to be very handy:Grab the 4.5 Inch Stern mounted arty gun as soon as you can. Really, REALLY handy for shooting at those pesky escorts that are chasing you as you Ahead Flank out of the area after bopping some juicy tankers. I've nabbed more than one Jap Destroyer this way as generally your crew will be more accurate in their firing.


Hope this helps you get started. Let us know how you get on, Captain

[ed3r]

Thanks alot Jaeger , Will do.

[ed3r]

So I still havnt figured out how to go deeper than 45 meters unless im sinking, little help?

[Karl-Heinz Jaeger]

45 meters? Thats definitely dodgy. I've not heard of this being an issue before now. Have you been damaged prior to this? If so maybe it wasn't repaired properly, something which has been reported before as a bug. If not, I would suggest uninstalling the game, deleting all trace of it from your hard drive, cleaning the registry and trying a reinstall and patching to 1.2. This definitely shouldn't be happenning.

[John Channing]

Originally Posted by ed3r

So I still havnt figured out how to go deeper than 45 meters unless im sinking, little help?

Underneath the depth gauge there is a buttton. Click on it and you will be able to select greater depths.

JCC

[mookiemookie]

You can also use the "D" button to dive. You boat will continue down until you tell it to stop at the current depth by pressing the "A" key.

[Herr Karl]

I thought the A button (maintain depth) caused CTD's?

[joea]

Originally Posted by Herr Karl

I thought the A button (maintain depth) caused CTD's?

Fixed by patch 1.2 mate.

[Herr Karl]

Gotcha! Thx