Destroyer tactics

deepboat · 01-04-08, 01:15 PM

Help! While cruising innocently by Scapa Flow, Sept 39, I've been pounced on by a couple of DD's. Any tactics I should use for a zig-zagging DD? I 've read the tactics link on the home page but it doesn't describe this scenario. My only guess would be to try a down- the- throat manually set shot, zero angle, zero bearing, close range, steamer set to fast and low depth. Make sense?

GoldenRivet · 01-04-08, 01:26 PM

this depends heavily on your realism settings.

if you are using manual targeting, i would fire a snapshot spread (bearing to target as you view through the scope... zero everything else like speed and range etc.) spread maybe 2, 3 or 4 fish at him at close range with about a 1- 2 degree spread... thats a lot of fish to fire at one DD but if life depends on getting away from this joker you havnt much choice.

Option two - which is the best option IMHO - is to dive deep and just not tangle with him. but you mentioned being near scapa flow so im assuming the water is shallow.

assuming you survive this encounter let this serve as a lesson which has been echoed here at subsim hundreds of times since SH3 was initially released.

STAY OUT OF SHALLOW WATER hahah

deepboat · 01-04-08, 01:35 PM

Yes Im using manual targetting but I'll try a spread of three, saving some for his friends.

Sigurd · 01-04-08, 01:38 PM

If you have two DD's after you, all I can say is run as deep as you can go (I'd say a few meters above the ocean floor, but keep an eye on the depth under you, you can run into shallower waters fast), stay as quiet as you can, and pray. Always keep a low aspect ratio, and watch the destroyer's movements.

If there's a single one, I wouldn't recommend going after it either. My experience with DD's has shown me that if they've seen you, the only way you're going to sink them is with luck. You mentioned that you're in '39, so I think you only have a choice of 2 U-Boats, the Type II, or the Type VII (I believe the Type IX is also avaliable, but depending on renown you have, I'd wager that you're not in one).

If you've got the Type II, sneak away. You dont have enough eels to waste on trying to sink a zig-zagging destroyer, while its attacking you.

If you've got the Type VII, you do have stern torpedos, so attacking is an option, but my advice would be sneaking away.

If I'm just wrong, and you do have a Type IX, I'd say attacking would be your best bet honestly. Its so big that being in shallower waters would be bad. Its still dumb luck if you actually hit it though, as I've found destroyers like to circle above me until they hear me, then DC me.

deepboat · 01-04-08, 02:38 PM

Ok, I launched a salvo of 4 which did the trick on the first one. He immediately started a turn but was to late for 2 of the 4. His friends however aren't so pleased and are about to dance on my head. News at 11!

GoldenRivet · 01-04-08, 02:40 PM

how far to the nearest deep water?

how far away are his "friends"?

How deep is the water where you are?

and are you able to bring your stern tube around in time for a shot?

deepboat · 01-04-08, 02:48 PM

too far-too close-too shallow-in line but torp 3min from reload

deepboat · 01-04-08, 02:56 PM

Unbelievable! While setting up my manual stern shot stern shot in the F6 screen I saw a torp sink the bugger! 2 down and 1 to go, woo-hoo!

01-04-08, 01:15 PM	#1
deepboat Gunner Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In an Octopuss' Garden Posts: 99 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	Destroyer tactics Help! While cruising innocently by Scapa Flow, Sept 39, I've been pounced on by a couple of DD's. Any tactics I should use for a zig-zagging DD? I 've read the tactics link on the home page but it doesn't describe this scenario. My only guess would be to try a down- the- throat manually set shot, zero angle, zero bearing, close range, steamer set to fast and low depth. Make sense? __________________ Smoke on the horizon captain!

01-04-08, 01:26 PM	#2
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	this depends heavily on your realism settings. if you are using manual targeting, i would fire a snapshot spread (bearing to target as you view through the scope... zero everything else like speed and range etc.) spread maybe 2, 3 or 4 fish at him at close range with about a 1- 2 degree spread... thats a lot of fish to fire at one DD but if life depends on getting away from this joker you havnt much choice. Option two - which is the best option IMHO - is to dive deep and just not tangle with him. but you mentioned being near scapa flow so im assuming the water is shallow. assuming you survive this encounter let this serve as a lesson which has been echoed here at subsim hundreds of times since SH3 was initially released. STAY OUT OF SHALLOW WATER hahah __________________

01-04-08, 01:35 PM	#3
deepboat Gunner Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In an Octopuss' Garden Posts: 99 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	Yes Im using manual targetting but I'll try a spread of three, saving some for his friends. __________________ Smoke on the horizon captain!

01-04-08, 02:38 PM	#5
deepboat Gunner Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In an Octopuss' Garden Posts: 99 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	Ok, I launched a salvo of 4 which did the trick on the first one. He immediately started a turn but was to late for 2 of the 4. His friends however aren't so pleased and are about to dance on my head. News at 11! __________________ Smoke on the horizon captain!

01-04-08, 02:40 PM	#6
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	how far to the nearest deep water? how far away are his "friends"? How deep is the water where you are? and are you able to bring your stern tube around in time for a shot? __________________

01-04-08, 01:38 PM	#4
Sigurd Electrician's Mate Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 140 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	If you have two DD's after you, all I can say is run as deep as you can go (I'd say a few meters above the ocean floor, but keep an eye on the depth under you, you can run into shallower waters fast), stay as quiet as you can, and pray. Always keep a low aspect ratio, and watch the destroyer's movements. If there's a single one, I wouldn't recommend going after it either. My experience with DD's has shown me that if they've seen you, the only way you're going to sink them is with luck. You mentioned that you're in '39, so I think you only have a choice of 2 U-Boats, the Type II, or the Type VII (I believe the Type IX is also avaliable, but depending on renown you have, I'd wager that you're not in one). If you've got the Type II, sneak away. You dont have enough eels to waste on trying to sink a zig-zagging destroyer, while its attacking you. If you've got the Type VII, you do have stern torpedos, so attacking is an option, but my advice would be sneaking away. If I'm just wrong, and you do have a Type IX, I'd say attacking would be your best bet honestly. Its so big that being in shallower waters would be bad. Its still dumb luck if you actually hit it though, as I've found destroyers like to circle above me until they hear me, then DC me.

01-04-08, 02:48 PM	#7
deepboat Gunner Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In an Octopuss' Garden Posts: 99 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	too far-too close-too shallow-in line but torp 3min from reload __________________ Smoke on the horizon captain!

01-04-08, 02:56 PM	#8
deepboat Gunner Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In an Octopuss' Garden Posts: 99 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	Unbelievable! While setting up my manual stern shot stern shot in the F6 screen I saw a torp sink the bugger! 2 down and 1 to go, woo-hoo! __________________ Smoke on the horizon captain!