what am I doing wrong?

She-Wolf · 11-25-08, 05:06 AM

I have just been reading the thread asking how advanced folk are in their career, and wonder why it is that some of the folk who have posted have obtained such achievements in the same time frame travelling far afield in whizzy subs with awesome tonnage to their credit, all by early 1940, whereas I am still stuck with my IID Rotbile ( Rusty Old Tub But I Luv 'Er) by April 1940, and can only accrue modest amounts because all I get each patrol is five fish, one of which is certainly going to be a dud. As two torps are required for a decent sized merchant, that doesn't return me much renown, if both targets go down - which they don't always - before I have to trudge back to base for another patrol and my next miserable five fish.

I did have one patrol where I sunk five ships, but they were all small warships or coastal, so, although I got a medal for it, not much tonnage.

At present my renown is about 1300, and the next sub up requires 2500, so I am still looking at several more patrols before I can upgrade, yet other folks have achieved far greater results in less patrols and are off the coast of USA, have killed battleships and all sorts....... I know I am a rubbish kaleun, but WHAT is it that I am not doing that clearly others are?? :hmm:

subdude · 11-25-08, 05:26 AM

she wolf, bitte kommen!

i was wondering myself how amazing some captains are doing compared to my meager results so far. but it's an incentive to do better since it is obviously possible.

ende

subdude

Vacillator · 11-25-08, 05:37 AM

I know some folk love their ducks, but it seems to me that progression is far easier if you can start in a decent sized boat with more range and more munitions. Which reminds me I must get back to my Type IX off America some day...

badwolf · 11-25-08, 05:53 AM

Quote:

I know some folk love their ducks, but it seems to me that progression is far easier if you can start in a decent sized boat with more range and more munitions. Which reminds me I must get back to my Type IX off America some day...

Correct.

She-Wolf you'll find it a lot harder starting at the bottom and working yourself up. But I think its more satisfying having gone the whole hog.

She-Wolf · 11-25-08, 05:55 AM

subdude - so I am not the only one then

Tachy - hmm, sounds exciting.... I have sorta nosed around the odd port, but Halifax was patrolled, somewhere else had subnets, bloomin Elcos buzzing around in pairs don't help, and the water gets so shallow it makes I nervous - but I will give it a go next patrol. Ta

Vacillator, you are rubbing it in a bit here old chap, not to say smug, but a decided little smirk methinks. Pshaw!:rotfl:

She-Wolf · 11-25-08, 06:01 AM

badwolf - That's IT - that's the fun, that's the challenge - to work yourself up.

I thought everyone started from the same place and wondered how it could be I am lagging so far behind. However, from cabin boy to cap'n the hard way is fine by me if that is what the game requires.

11-25-08, 06:34 AM

She-Wolf,
If you pick the correct flotilla in September 1939, you can start out with a Type VII. IIRC, it is 2nd Flotilla out of Wilhelmshaven.

Tachyon · 11-25-08, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by She-Wolf

I have just been reading the thread asking how advanced folk are in their career, and wonder why it is that some of the folk who have posted have obtained such achievements in the same time frame travelling far afield in whizzy subs with awesome tonnage to their credit, all by early 1940, whereas I am still stuck with my IID Rotbile ( Rusty Old Tub But I Luv 'Er) by April 1940, and can only accrue modest amounts because all I get each patrol is five fish, one of which is certainly going to be a dud. As two torps are required for a decent sized merchant, that doesn't return me much renown, if both targets go down - which they don't always - before I have to trudge back to base for another patrol and my next miserable five fish.

I did have one patrol where I sunk five ships, but they were all small warships or coastal, so, although I got a medal for it, not much tonnage.

At present my renown is about 1300, and the next sub up requires 2500, so I am still looking at several more patrols before I can upgrade, yet other folks have achieved far greater results in less patrols and are off the coast of USA, have killed battleships and all sorts....... I know I am a rubbish kaleun, but WHAT is it that I am not doing that clearly others are?? :hmm:

I use this way to get renown early in the war... it's a bit risky but it pays off well. RAID PORTS! The Type II-C is even more better than the VII-C for raiding ports due to it's small size. Target some nice juicy merchants at the ports for easy renown so you can get a better sub quickly.

Sailor Steve · 11-25-08, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by She-Wolf

I ...my IID Rotbile ( Rusty Old Tub But I Luv 'Er)...

:rotfl:

Quote:

I thought everyone started from the same place and wondered how it could be I am lagging so far behind. However, from cabin boy to cap'n the hard way is fine by me if that is what the game requires.

I'm the weird one. I run several concurrent careers, one from each available base. My guy in the Type II never has a lot of luck, but I make it a point not to do unrealistic things like harbor raids. That said, I also stay in my assigned grid, and don't expect to get more tonnage than the real kaleuns did.

Of course I also never have music on the gramophone that they couldn't listen to, and enjoy the sights while leaving and entering my home port, and complain about the fact that the ports aren't laid out the way they really were, so...

Have you considered that some people play it to win the game, and some play it to imagine what it was like to be there. Which do you want to be?

FIREWALL · 11-25-08, 03:31 PM

Since I play at 100% in more ways than one, iirc when the war started II boots were relegated to training and close-in patrol.

@ She-Wolf

While I commend your perseverance, the natural and realism course is to transfer if the war has started, to get a VII boot to get more tonnage\renoun.

Other than that... Play it the way you see fit and have fun.

Regards, Firewall

Vacillator · 11-25-08, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

iirc when the war started II boots were relegated to training and close-in patrol

They were used for quite a while in the North Sea and later in the Black Sea so I suppose it's fine to be in one for a while in the early war years. Looking for a reference on service of IIs I found this (in a hurry so I expect there's a better one elsewhere):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._II_submarines

One which caught my eye was U-138, sunk off Spain on 18 June 1941!

Of course a lot of Kaleuns went straight out in the bigger boats without fighting in a II...

Edit: Read later that U-138 was on a mission to raid Gibraltar harbour looking for Renown and others. Never made it but at least all the crew were rescued.

11-26-08, 08:36 AM

Handling a bigger tub is easy, just as long it's at the pier.
The type II is only for the early years. Later in the war you have to run deep to evade the DDs. The IIs are fun though. Small, sneaky and if the occassion arises a pita for escorts (at least '39 - mid'41). Shame that they have nothing bigger than a 20mm. 'Tis fun sinking all the escorts and surfacing in the middle of a convoy. At least 'til '40...
She-Wolf, to you have any mods installed? Btw, harbour of choice: Hartlepool and if you stay about 40 to 50 km to the east of this harbour, you'll get plenty of traffic. Aim for the funnel

She-Wolf · 11-26-08, 09:23 AM

gmuno, I have 16k atmosphere, Das Boot, Full Circle splash screen, and today, but not tried yet, Lifeboats.

Thanks for the tip, next time I have a North Sea patrol I will do that

She-Wolf · 11-25-08, 03:45 PM

WOW. Kipparikalle.... my Hero...

SS, I do believe I have seen a piccy of you, and yes, you look the sort of chap that would cheerfully have a dozen pots boiling at once. How ever do you keep track of 'em all I wonder

To answer your question, I have to confess, I use time compression rather a lot, whereas the realists probably don't, and it takes 'em a week to get where ever they want to go, so I guess I am not a die-hard player. I play for the same reason I first played one of SH3's forebears on the Amiga - cos I just luv the bit where it is You against Them, whoever they may be, and you can hear the ship passing overhead, and you hear the depth charges, and you wonder if this is IT. Being able to outwit the hunters and sneak away after you have sunk a ship - that's why I play. It IS just a game, but it can be exciting ( or does that make me sound a bit 'sad'?)

Firewall, Sir, when I think I can actually handle a bigger tub, the way the real guys might have done it ( and Naval Academy tells me I got a loooong way to go) then I will feel ready and deserving. Until then, its me, Bernard and Rotbile dabbling about in the Kanal

11-27-08, 04:59 PM

Even playing 100% realism you can get real achievements taking IXD40 in January1942, 10th Flotilla, heading to quadrant GR52, or GR89. In Southern Hemisphere following the route Cape town – Freetown (see GWX rout map) you will meet big passenger ships such as old passenger ship about 20 000 BRT, and even the biggest GWX 2.0. passenger ship of 45 000 BRT.
Another good way to promote your career is to go to Caribbean Sea. Around Curacao you’ll meet lonely and sometimes armless tankers, no task forces, planes, and even single destroyers.
You can also try to evade Curacao harbor. Last time I countered there 8 US. tankers. No danger to approach to 1 000 meters or even less the Curacao docs ‘couse the island is volcanic origin attacked by trawler 700 meters in front of the docks I deepened my Boot to 120 meters.

11-25-08, 05:06 AM	#1
She-Wolf Watchdog Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hampshire UK Posts: 971 Downloads: 152 Uploads: 0	what am I doing wrong? I have just been reading the thread asking how advanced folk are in their career, and wonder why it is that some of the folk who have posted have obtained such achievements in the same time frame travelling far afield in whizzy subs with awesome tonnage to their credit, all by early 1940, whereas I am still stuck with my IID Rotbile ( Rusty Old Tub But I Luv 'Er) by April 1940, and can only accrue modest amounts because all I get each patrol is five fish, one of which is certainly going to be a dud. As two torps are required for a decent sized merchant, that doesn't return me much renown, if both targets go down - which they don't always - before I have to trudge back to base for another patrol and my next miserable five fish. I did have one patrol where I sunk five ships, but they were all small warships or coastal, so, although I got a medal for it, not much tonnage. At present my renown is about 1300, and the next sub up requires 2500, so I am still looking at several more patrols before I can upgrade, yet other folks have achieved far greater results in less patrols and are off the coast of USA, have killed battleships and all sorts....... I know I am a rubbish kaleun, but WHAT is it that I am not doing that clearly others are?? :hmm: __________________ Last edited by She-Wolf; 11-25-08 at 05:28 AM.

11-25-08, 05:26 AM	#2
subdude Sailor man Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kenya Posts: 43 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	beats me too! she wolf, bitte kommen! i was wondering myself how amazing some captains are doing compared to my meager results so far. but it's an incentive to do better since it is obviously possible. ende subdude __________________

11-25-08, 05:37 AM	#3
Vacillator Frogman Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK Posts: 307 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I know some folk love their ducks, but it seems to me that progression is far easier if you can start in a decent sized boat with more range and more munitions. Which reminds me I must get back to my Type IX off America some day... Last edited by Vacillator; 11-25-08 at 05:40 AM.

11-25-08, 05:55 AM	#5
She-Wolf Watchdog Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hampshire UK Posts: 971 Downloads: 152 Uploads: 0	subdude - so I am not the only one then Tachy - hmm, sounds exciting.... I have sorta nosed around the odd port, but Halifax was patrolled, somewhere else had subnets, bloomin Elcos buzzing around in pairs don't help, and the water gets so shallow it makes I nervous - but I will give it a go next patrol. Ta Vacillator, you are rubbing it in a bit here old chap, not to say smug, but a decided little smirk methinks. Pshaw!:rotfl: __________________

11-25-08, 06:01 AM	#6
She-Wolf Watchdog Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hampshire UK Posts: 971 Downloads: 152 Uploads: 0	badwolf - That's IT - that's the fun, that's the challenge - to work yourself up. I thought everyone started from the same place and wondered how it could be I am lagging so far behind. However, from cabin boy to cap'n the hard way is fine by me if that is what the game requires. __________________ Last edited by She-Wolf; 11-25-08 at 06:02 AM.

11-25-08, 06:34 AM	#7
von Zelda Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	She-Wolf, If you pick the correct flotilla in September 1939, you can start out with a Type VII. IIRC, it is 2nd Flotilla out of Wilhelmshaven.

11-25-08, 03:31 PM	#10
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Since I play at 100% in more ways than one, iirc when the war started II boots were relegated to training and close-in patrol. @ She-Wolf While I commend your perseverance, the natural and realism course is to transfer if the war has started, to get a VII boot to get more tonnage\renoun. Other than that... Play it the way you see fit and have fun. Regards, Firewall __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

11-26-08, 08:36 AM	#12
gmuno Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Handling a bigger tub is easy, just as long it's at the pier. The type II is only for the early years. Later in the war you have to run deep to evade the DDs. The IIs are fun though. Small, sneaky and if the occassion arises a pita for escorts (at least '39 - mid'41). Shame that they have nothing bigger than a 20mm. 'Tis fun sinking all the escorts and surfacing in the middle of a convoy. At least 'til '40... She-Wolf, to you have any mods installed? Btw, harbour of choice: Hartlepool and if you stay about 40 to 50 km to the east of this harbour, you'll get plenty of traffic. Aim for the funnel Last edited by gmuno; 11-26-08 at 08:46 AM.

11-26-08, 09:23 AM	#13
She-Wolf Watchdog Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hampshire UK Posts: 971 Downloads: 152 Uploads: 0	gmuno, I have 16k atmosphere, Das Boot, Full Circle splash screen, and today, but not tried yet, Lifeboats. Thanks for the tip, next time I have a North Sea patrol I will do that __________________

11-25-08, 03:45 PM	#14
She-Wolf Watchdog Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hampshire UK Posts: 971 Downloads: 152 Uploads: 0	WOW. Kipparikalle.... my Hero... SS, I do believe I have seen a piccy of you, and yes, you look the sort of chap that would cheerfully have a dozen pots boiling at once. How ever do you keep track of 'em all I wonder To answer your question, I have to confess, I use time compression rather a lot, whereas the realists probably don't, and it takes 'em a week to get where ever they want to go, so I guess I am not a die-hard player. I play for the same reason I first played one of SH3's forebears on the Amiga - cos I just luv the bit where it is You against Them, whoever they may be, and you can hear the ship passing overhead, and you hear the depth charges, and you wonder if this is IT. Being able to outwit the hunters and sneak away after you have sunk a ship - that's why I play. It IS just a game, but it can be exciting ( or does that make me sound a bit 'sad'?) Firewall, Sir, when I think I can actually handle a bigger tub, the way the real guys might have done it ( and Naval Academy tells me I got a loooong way to go) then I will feel ready and deserving. Until then, its me, Bernard and Rotbile dabbling about in the Kanal __________________

11-27-08, 04:59 PM	#15
Alex Schtolz Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Even playing 100% realism you can get real achievements taking IXD40 in January1942, 10th Flotilla, heading to quadrant GR52, or GR89. In Southern Hemisphere following the route Cape town – Freetown (see GWX rout map) you will meet big passenger ships such as old passenger ship about 20 000 BRT, and even the biggest GWX 2.0. passenger ship of 45 000 BRT. Another good way to promote your career is to go to Caribbean Sea. Around Curacao you’ll meet lonely and sometimes armless tankers, no task forces, planes, and even single destroyers. You can also try to evade Curacao harbor. Last time I countered there 8 US. tankers. No danger to approach to 1 000 meters or even less the Curacao docs ‘couse the island is volcanic origin attacked by trawler 700 meters in front of the docks I deepened my Boot to 120 meters.