Where do you start?

Alice · 06-09-08, 10:59 PM

Ok, so I've been spending way too much time on uboat.net and I decided to get SH3. I know I'm in way over my head but I would like to eventually learn how to play with 100% realism and GWX and all that good stuff. But right now I'm still at rank HN 3 (Hardcore Noob, 3rd class).
I've mostly been playing the naval academy and trying to get used to stuff.

So my question is how did everyone start out? Did you just jump right into a career and learn from trial and error? Did you turn the realism settings down until you figured things out? Did you play the naval academy over and over again?

Yes, I have been reading the newbie guides and the community manual, but I'm wondering how different people approached the game when they started out. Also what settings are considered "standard"? I kind of assume that most people play with 100% realism as sort of the way to play. Is that right?

SeaWolf U-57 · 06-09-08, 11:07 PM

yes i kept playing the naval academy untill i passed all the tests

richardphat · 06-09-08, 11:17 PM

Yup i did training and exam but im still a noob. I cant believe i havent progress at all since 1 year and half

headcase · 06-10-08, 12:18 AM

I started the acadamy. Got aggravated, and jumped into a career. Died a few times without hitting anything. Pulled out pencil, paper, compass and protractor. Went back to the Acad. missions and slowly figured out what I was doing. And I still get crews killed more often than I would like. But not as often, and with much better tonnage to show for it.

melnibonian · 06-10-08, 12:47 AM

I never bothered with the academy. I just got a boat and hit the high seas. Especially in the begining of the war you can try different tactics without much danger and get to know the potential of your boat.

HW3 · 06-10-08, 03:02 AM

I hate to say it but, I still do not play at 100% realism. I like the external view for watching my victims going down, and to just admire the graphics in GWX 2.1. If I were you, I would start a campaign with the realism settings you want to try and then adjust them till you find the setting that suits you. Remember, there is no one set correct setting to play this sim, just what works for you.

KeptinCranky · 06-10-08, 03:17 AM

I learned watching a friend try to play 100% realism right away, he did use tutorials and such but after 5 patrols he still wasn't able to identify a C3 cargo at 5km at night where I could....

so then I started playing SH3 myself, started out with all the realism on, except for manual targeting and external camera (for screenies

)

bookworm_020 · 06-10-08, 03:22 AM

Naval Acadamy was the go for me, so I could learn the basics and learn all the commands that I needed to survive. I then tried a couple of the single missions to give me experience in dealing with escorts and air patrols.

I then moved on to a career, but starting with the stock version for awhile and then moving on to GWX (that will sort the men from the boys

)

Have a look at the FAQ sticky at the top of the page for more help and suggestions.

BTW Alice, Welcome aboard!

rifleman13 · 06-10-08, 03:46 AM

First the Naval Academy to get the 1500 renown.

THEN install GWX. I found out the hard way when I tried the FlaK Training. Dead in the Water!

Darn those planes, in stock they were like mindless drones. In GWX, they actually put the pilots inside!

Sailor Steve · 06-10-08, 06:52 AM

Learn at the Academy, then play some single missions. 'Happy Times' is good for convoy attack practice.

Don't install any supermod until you're comfortable with what you're doing.

downunder · 06-10-08, 07:29 AM

Like all things the best place to start is at the beggining, the Acadamy is a good place to learn the basics and build confidence with the controls. As for realisim i wouldnt try and start playing at 100% straight off, its not much fun being killed in the first 5 min of every game, the novelty wears off fast. I play at 54% and that is real enough for me. Live a little, Die a little.

Cheers

Downunder

Red Heat · 06-10-08, 08:11 AM

The Naval academy its a a very good start for the first "touch" to play SH3...specialy for those with never play games as "Ace of the Deep", or "SH1" and dont understand as a submarine works yeath.
I start to play "SH1"...some years a go and i never stop since, and all this years playing i only can play with 84% of realism only. One of the main reason its only a game (its not a really U-boat and im not commanding a human crew) so i try to put the things between a good play and fun and good graphics, BECAUSE ITS ONLY A GAME!

danurve · 06-10-08, 09:27 AM

Well, if you plan to roll with GWX I recomend starting by reading the manual.
At least the parts on understanding how the ASW works in the game.

looney · 06-10-08, 12:18 PM

I started with the Naval academy (I read you got reknown for it) then started a patrol in a Type VII no convoy's just loners wich where easy pickings either with gun or torps. Then got into GWX

Murr44 · 06-10-08, 01:27 PM

I played enough of the Naval Academy tutorials to get 1500 points then I moved on to the "Happy Times" mission & finally started playing in campaign mode. I've had the game for over a year & still don't play at full realism; my math just isn't that good.

Got GWX a month or so ago & I haven't looked back since.

Play it at whatever realism scale that you're comfortable with. Remember that it's just a game & there is no sense in making it so hard for yourself that it puts you off.

Hope that you have many hours enjoying your SH III experience.

I can almost guarantee that you will quickly lose track of time, stay up all night & end up always late for appointments, school, work, etc...

P.S. When or if you decide to get the GWX add-on, be sure to read the 600-odd page manual. It's very well done & will definitely answer many of your SH III questions.

06-09-08, 10:59 PM	#1
Alice Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Where do you start? Ok, so I've been spending way too much time on uboat.net and I decided to get SH3. I know I'm in way over my head but I would like to eventually learn how to play with 100% realism and GWX and all that good stuff. But right now I'm still at rank HN 3 (Hardcore Noob, 3rd class). I've mostly been playing the naval academy and trying to get used to stuff. So my question is how did everyone start out? Did you just jump right into a career and learn from trial and error? Did you turn the realism settings down until you figured things out? Did you play the naval academy over and over again? Yes, I have been reading the newbie guides and the community manual, but I'm wondering how different people approached the game when they started out. Also what settings are considered "standard"? I kind of assume that most people play with 100% realism as sort of the way to play. Is that right?

06-10-08, 12:18 AM	#4
headcase Sparky Join Date: May 2007 Location: The wrong side of the tracks, Neverland Posts: 157 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	I started the acadamy. Got aggravated, and jumped into a career. Died a few times without hitting anything. Pulled out pencil, paper, compass and protractor. Went back to the Acad. missions and slowly figured out what I was doing. And I still get crews killed more often than I would like. But not as often, and with much better tonnage to show for it. __________________ It's like the Blues. You can't play em if you haven't lived em. GWX 3.0 DID

06-10-08, 12:47 AM	#5
melnibonian Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Reading UK Posts: 3,473 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I never bothered with the academy. I just got a boat and hit the high seas. Especially in the begining of the war you can try different tactics without much danger and get to know the potential of your boat. __________________ http://www.thegreywolves.com/ http://wolvesatwar.com/ Download GWX and other goodies: http://hosted.filefront.com/melnibonian

06-10-08, 03:02 AM	#6
HW3 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gresham Oregon Posts: 6,574 Downloads: 458 Uploads: 0	I hate to say it but, I still do not play at 100% realism. I like the external view for watching my victims going down, and to just admire the graphics in GWX 2.1. If I were you, I would start a campaign with the realism settings you want to try and then adjust them till you find the setting that suits you. Remember, there is no one set correct setting to play this sim, just what works for you. __________________ "Some ships are designed to sink...others require our assistance." Nathan Zelk

06-10-08, 03:22 AM	#8
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Naval Acadamy was the go for me, so I could learn the basics and learn all the commands that I needed to survive. I then tried a couple of the single missions to give me experience in dealing with escorts and air patrols. I then moved on to a career, but starting with the stock version for awhile and then moving on to GWX (that will sort the men from the boys) Have a look at the FAQ sticky at the top of the page for more help and suggestions. BTW Alice, Welcome aboard! __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

06-09-08, 11:07 PM	#2
SeaWolf U-57 Ace of the Deep Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,231 Downloads: 92 Uploads: 0	yes i kept playing the naval academy untill i passed all the tests

06-09-08, 11:17 PM	#3
richardphat Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 682 Downloads: 17 Uploads: 0	Yup i did training and exam but im still a noob. I cant believe i havent progress at all since 1 year and half

06-10-08, 03:17 AM	#7
KeptinCranky Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,050 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	I learned watching a friend try to play 100% realism right away, he did use tutorials and such but after 5 patrols he still wasn't able to identify a C3 cargo at 5km at night where I could.... so then I started playing SH3 myself, started out with all the realism on, except for manual targeting and external camera (for screenies )

06-10-08, 03:46 AM	#9
rifleman13 Grey Wolf Join Date: May 2008 Location: Depth-charged to Kingdom Come Posts: 927 Downloads: 28 Uploads: 0	First the Naval Academy to get the 1500 renown. THEN install GWX. I found out the hard way when I tried the FlaK Training. Dead in the Water! Darn those planes, in stock they were like mindless drones. In GWX, they actually put the pilots inside!

06-10-08, 06:52 AM	#10
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Learn at the Academy, then play some single missions. 'Happy Times' is good for convoy attack practice. Don't install any supermod until you're comfortable with what you're doing. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

06-10-08, 07:29 AM	#11
downunder Electrician's Mate Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Victoria. Australia Posts: 135 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Like all things the best place to start is at the beggining, the Acadamy is a good place to learn the basics and build confidence with the controls. As for realisim i wouldnt try and start playing at 100% straight off, its not much fun being killed in the first 5 min of every game, the novelty wears off fast. I play at 54% and that is real enough for me. Live a little, Die a little. Cheers Downunder __________________ May your hatches be tight, and your smokes dry.

06-10-08, 08:11 AM	#12
Red Heat Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portugal Posts: 1,093 Downloads: 267 Uploads: 0	The Naval academy its a a very good start for the first "touch" to play SH3...specialy for those with never play games as "Ace of the Deep", or "SH1" and dont understand as a submarine works yeath. I start to play "SH1"...some years a go and i never stop since, and all this years playing i only can play with 84% of realism only. One of the main reason its only a game (its not a really U-boat and im not commanding a human crew) so i try to put the things between a good play and fun and good graphics, BECAUSE ITS ONLY A GAME! __________________ "There is three kinds of man: the living, the death, and those who are at Sea." Plato Last edited by Red Heat; 06-10-08 at 08:23 AM.

06-10-08, 09:27 AM	#13
danurve The Old Man Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 1,481 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 3	Well, if you plan to roll with GWX I recomend starting by reading the manual. At least the parts on understanding how the ASW works in the game. __________________

06-10-08, 12:18 PM	#14
looney Commodore Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sneek, The Netherlands Posts: 635 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	I started with the Naval academy (I read you got reknown for it) then started a patrol in a Type VII no convoy's just loners wich where easy pickings either with gun or torps. Then got into GWX

06-10-08, 01:27 PM	#15
Murr44 Grey Wolf Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 913 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 0	I played enough of the Naval Academy tutorials to get 1500 points then I moved on to the "Happy Times" mission & finally started playing in campaign mode. I've had the game for over a year & still don't play at full realism; my math just isn't that good. Got GWX a month or so ago & I haven't looked back since. Play it at whatever realism scale that you're comfortable with. Remember that it's just a game & there is no sense in making it so hard for yourself that it puts you off. Hope that you have many hours enjoying your SH III experience. I can almost guarantee that you will quickly lose track of time, stay up all night & end up always late for appointments, school, work, etc... P.S. When or if you decide to get the GWX add-on, be sure to read the 600-odd page manual. It's very well done & will definitely answer many of your SH III questions.