Tips for identifying ships?

echohead · 08-10-09, 01:27 PM

Hi all,
I just got this game and have fallen in love with it, but unlike most people here I am not a big naval buff and I am having a terrible time identifying ships, mostly merchant ships.

The tutorial videos on these forums have been extremely helpful. I cannot wait to take this game online and play with more experienced players than myself.

Inner Sound · 08-10-09, 01:33 PM

Not sure it'll help you in the hurly burly of online, but for solo I've just discovered I can open the ident book, pause the game, and flick through the pages with the game paused.

HTH

echohead · 08-10-09, 02:19 PM

Wow, you guys work fast!

That basically solves my only problem with the game

Of course I still am a terrible sub captian, but at least I have fun.

HMCS · 08-13-09, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by echohead

Wow, you guys work fast!

That basically solves my only problem with the game

Of course I still am a terrible sub captian, but at least I have fun.

If you think that you're having fun now, wait until something like THIS is in your sights

Frederf · 08-10-09, 02:24 PM

Identification method:

1. Identify major class: warship, escort, merchant, or coastal.

I feel this is best done with hydrophones and comes with the most "feel." Merchants chug, warships pitter, and very small craft buzz or even have no sound (sampan, junk). Warships with a distinct mechanical whine are a good indication that they are big, juicy targets like carriers and cruisers. Escort warships tend to just have a plain engine noise.

2. What does the funnel look like?

Most ships have smoke funnels for engine exhaust. Is it in the middle? Is it at either end? A funnel at an end means tanker. Cargo merchants have them between the masts. Also take note if the funnel is tall and skinny or short and wide.

3. How many masts does it have?

Most small or medium merchants have 2 masts. The large ones have 3. Pay attention if the masts are single or doubles. There are a few ships with arches instead of single mast poles and that is a good feature to note.

4. What does the rigging look like?

Some ships have what I call "down rigging" like /_|_\ while others have "up rigging" like \|/. These are excellent features to note.

5. What is the shape of the superstructure?

Is it one piece and large? Is it 2-3 small structures? Does the funnel sit on top of the superstructure or does it sit on deck? Large, long, even superstructures can mean personnel transport.

With the above 5 rules you should be able to identify any stock merchant with a question to spare. Warships can be a lot harder but you see those a lot less. Guns and superstructure are the primary reference for cruisers and battleships. Make sure to look at the 45° angle view for a good second perspective on the ship.

Once you think you have a target identified by taking visual characteristics and comparing them against the book... do it in reverse! Pick something distinct on the picture and see if the target has it. I've caught several recognition mistakes this way.

echohead · 08-10-09, 02:32 PM

Thanks for the detailed post Fred
I once I get a basic feel for getting a ship ID I will use your method instead of pausing. So far I am playing on 88% realism (only have the updated map markers on). I hope to move upto 100% with no pausing soon.

Joe S · 08-11-09, 12:36 AM

Do not get overly concerned about ship ID. The main thing is to recognize the major ship types so you know a destroyer when you see one and get pick out the most valuable merchants as targets. The main reason for ship ID is to get the range, which is the least important of all TDC data. I take the average mastheight for each type of ship and enter that number on the TDC dial for purposes of using the periscope to estimate the range. I do that to simulate what a real skipper would do. However, a shortcut is to simply pre-set the range in the tdc to the distance that approximates the range at the time of firing .Thats up to you . I have also prepared two sheets of average mastheights (one for warships and one for merchants)to go with the printable recognition manual, if you are interested send me a pm and I will send them to you. I have sent them to someone else whom I hope will post them on this forum so everyone can copy from there. For some reason I cannot post attachments, anyone know why? I hope this helps, Joe S

Joe S · 08-11-09, 08:23 AM

Here's a link to the mastheight sheets:http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/m...09/mastheight/

I hope you find them useful. Joe S

08-10-09, 01:27 PM	#1
echohead Nub Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Tips for identifying ships? Hi all, I just got this game and have fallen in love with it, but unlike most people here I am not a big naval buff and I am having a terrible time identifying ships, mostly merchant ships. The tutorial videos on these forums have been extremely helpful. I cannot wait to take this game online and play with more experienced players than myself.

08-11-09, 08:23 AM	#8
Joe S XO Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 409 Downloads: 28 Uploads: 0	mastheight Here's a link to the mastheight sheets:http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/m...09/mastheight/ I hope you find them useful. Joe S

08-10-09, 01:33 PM	#2
Inner Sound Sparky Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 152 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	Not sure it'll help you in the hurly burly of online, but for solo I've just discovered I can open the ident book, pause the game, and flick through the pages with the game paused. HTH

08-10-09, 02:19 PM	#3
echohead Nub Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Wow, you guys work fast! That basically solves my only problem with the game Of course I still am a terrible sub captian, but at least I have fun.

08-10-09, 02:24 PM	#5
Frederf Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 665 Downloads: 79 Uploads: 1	Identification method: 1. Identify major class: warship, escort, merchant, or coastal. I feel this is best done with hydrophones and comes with the most "feel." Merchants chug, warships pitter, and very small craft buzz or even have no sound (sampan, junk). Warships with a distinct mechanical whine are a good indication that they are big, juicy targets like carriers and cruisers. Escort warships tend to just have a plain engine noise. 2. What does the funnel look like? Most ships have smoke funnels for engine exhaust. Is it in the middle? Is it at either end? A funnel at an end means tanker. Cargo merchants have them between the masts. Also take note if the funnel is tall and skinny or short and wide. 3. How many masts does it have? Most small or medium merchants have 2 masts. The large ones have 3. Pay attention if the masts are single or doubles. There are a few ships with arches instead of single mast poles and that is a good feature to note. 4. What does the rigging look like? Some ships have what I call "down rigging" like /_\|_\ while others have "up rigging" like \\|/. These are excellent features to note. 5. What is the shape of the superstructure? Is it one piece and large? Is it 2-3 small structures? Does the funnel sit on top of the superstructure or does it sit on deck? Large, long, even superstructures can mean personnel transport. With the above 5 rules you should be able to identify any stock merchant with a question to spare. Warships can be a lot harder but you see those a lot less. Guns and superstructure are the primary reference for cruisers and battleships. Make sure to look at the 45° angle view for a good second perspective on the ship. Once you think you have a target identified by taking visual characteristics and comparing them against the book... do it in reverse! Pick something distinct on the picture and see if the target has it. I've caught several recognition mistakes this way.

08-10-09, 02:32 PM	#6
echohead Nub Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the detailed post Fred I once I get a basic feel for getting a ship ID I will use your method instead of pausing. So far I am playing on 88% realism (only have the updated map markers on). I hope to move upto 100% with no pausing soon.

08-11-09, 12:36 AM	#7
Joe S XO Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 409 Downloads: 28 Uploads: 0	Do not get overly concerned about ship ID. The main thing is to recognize the major ship types so you know a destroyer when you see one and get pick out the most valuable merchants as targets. The main reason for ship ID is to get the range, which is the least important of all TDC data. I take the average mastheight for each type of ship and enter that number on the TDC dial for purposes of using the periscope to estimate the range. I do that to simulate what a real skipper would do. However, a shortcut is to simply pre-set the range in the tdc to the distance that approximates the range at the time of firing .Thats up to you . I have also prepared two sheets of average mastheights (one for warships and one for merchants)to go with the printable recognition manual, if you are interested send me a pm and I will send them to you. I have sent them to someone else whom I hope will post them on this forum so everyone can copy from there. For some reason I cannot post attachments, anyone know why? I hope this helps, Joe S