Questions about type IX etc

Ahoy!

Being newly registered to this forum, but I've been a reader for a while trying to gather tips here and there.
However there are some stuff that I wonder about, that I either haven't found a complete answer to or no answer at all, so bear with me

1. I'm into my 2nd SHIII career campaign, last time around I used a type VIIC till the save got lost in a computer crash, and so this time I would like to try out the Type IX. However...

- which base do I have to relocate to? I'm currently stationed in Brest, but the IX does not seem to be available there.
Don't tell me I have to go to Lorient and the 2nd Flotilla; slowish to manouver out of that harbour...

-I'm in April 1941, is it worth it to wait until 1942 for the next version of the type IX? If one consider that I'm quite "new" to the game and still only play at 29 % realism...

-With a type IX well in hand, I should decide to change bases again, to a base that normally don't support the type IX, would I lose it then?



2. As previously mentioned, I'm something of a newbie to the game still, with 29 % realism, but I'm getting a bit interested in trying something new, like a mod. What is best to start out with then? I read that "everybody" seems to use GWX, but isn't that quite a step up if one is used to play at a rather...arcadish realism level?

If I simply were to start out with upgrading the core/vanilla game with some extra units/ship models or generally add more detail to the game (more ports and traffic for instance), tips on were to start out?


Hopefully I don't display a shocking level of ignorance or blindness if these questions recently got answered!

Last, but not least, its amazing that such an "old" game still has such an active fan base! Very helpful for us who were slow to discover the game

[ralphnader23]

Welcome aboard!

I can't give you a good answer for #1, except that I know that if you start in 1941 at one of the French bases you can start with a type IX, I'm pretty sure.

As for #2 I think almost everyone plays GWX here. It adds a ton of content, and you get to see alot more convoys. I switched to GWX when I was still about around 60% realism (I'm up to 83% now)

There is an SH3 Commander mod that is also wildly popular which I haven't started using yet.

[Gerald]

Type IXB is available from December 1939,

[Herr-Berbunch]

Originally Posted by Mannesmann

Ahoy!

Being newly registered to this forum, but I've been a reader for a while trying to gather tips here and there.
However there are some stuff that I wonder about, that I either haven't found a complete answer to or no answer at all, so bear with me

1. I'm into my 2nd SHIII career campaign, last time around I used a type VIIC till the save got lost in a computer crash, and so this time I would like to try out the Type IX. However...

- which base do I have to relocate to? I'm currently stationed in Brest, but the IX does not seem to be available there.
Don't tell me I have to go to Lorient and the 2nd Flotilla; slowish to manouver out of that harbour...

-I'm in April 1941, is it worth it to wait until 1942 for the next version of the type IX? If one consider that I'm quite "new" to the game and still only play at 29 % realism...

-With a type IX well in hand, I should decide to change bases again, to a base that normally don't support the type IX, would I lose it then?



2. As previously mentioned, I'm something of a newbie to the game still, with 29 % realism, but I'm getting a bit interesting in trying something new, like a mod. What is best to start out with then? I read that "everybody" seems to use GWX, but isn't that quite a step up if one is used to play at a rather...arcadish realism level?

If I simply were to start out with upgrading the core/vanilla game with some extra units/ship models or generally add more detail to the game (more ports and traffic for instance), tips on were to start out?


Hopefully I don't display a shocking level of ignorance or blindness if these questions recently got answered!

Last, but not least, its amazing that such an "old" game still has such an active fan base! Very helpful for us who are slow in discovering the game

Welcome aboard

I can't answer your first question with much certainty, but when do the Type IXs become available and do you have enough renown to 'buy' the type?

Your second question is simpler for me. GWX (and others such as LSH, WAC and NYGM) are super-mods, they replace the whole gaming situation and improve it an incredible amount - what they are is what Ubisoft should have done - but why when the modders will toil for free?

As they are like this then I can see no reason not to pick one and start playing it from the off, the manual for GWX comes in at some 600 pages - how many came with the original SH3? Edit: Don't be put off, you don't have to read it all (but I'd recommend it - saves asking questions later, I should know!) and some of it is background info. And it's quite large type on A4.

Improvements are no end, and once you've got your super-mod sorted then you should try other smaller (but no less great) mods, but what mod really depends on you. You mention more ships, get the Merchant Fleet Mod, harbours - get the Aces' sub pen mod. You want it you got it, improved visibility, improved water, improved seabed, improved map tools, improved icons, improved weather, improved exhaust smoke, beards - no beards, hats - no hats, uniform - no uniform, the list is quite long...

Install your mods with JSGME to make them trouble free, and I'd thoroughly recommend SH3Commander (and Ships Names) for crew managment and patrol reporting.

And you can still adjust your realism!

I'm sure somebody will have replied by the time I've typed all this so I hope it's not too duplicated. Edit: Vendor

Happy hunting Herr Kaluen

[HW3]

#1

Don't tell me I have to go to Lorient and the 2nd Flotilla

Yes you do. The 1st and 7th both use the type VII from Brest and St. Nazaire.

I'm in April 1941, is it worth it to wait until 1942 for the next version of the type IX?

If you want to take part in "Operation Drumbeat", you will need one in December 1941

With a type IX well in hand, I should decide to change bases again, to a base that normally don't support the type IX, would I lose it then?

I'm not sure on that one. I have taken a type IX from Lorient to Bergen, when Lorient was abandoned near the end of the war, and was able to keep it.

#2 I run GWX but, any of the super mods would be a very worthwhile step up from stock. I would recommend starting with a super mod, and getting used to it, before trying out other mods. You can always use the easy realism settings with a super mod to help you get used to it.

[Red Heat]

Welcome to the "wolfpack" sailor!

Thanks for replies and greetings!

As of now, I'm some 250-300 renown points away from "buying" a type IX (it available at Lorient all right), so I have to wait at least one patrol before changing. I'll probably need more points to buy the best upgrades; how is it, can the type IX have two deck guns or is it just extra flack?

Is Operation Drumbeat simulated in the vanilla version of the game though?

I'm probably kidding myself playing the game without mods ain't I?
Maybe I should start out with SH3Commander and then move on to some of the "super-modes" you mentioned?
I have one concern though, adding mods with much more content and details, isn't that bound to slow the game down? My computer is not..eh..up to date
Nevertheless, the GWX manual sounds interesting all by itself!

Again, thanks for helpful replies

[timmy41]

the game is nowhere near its worth without GWX3 or a supermod!

[krashkart]

Originally Posted by Mannesmann

how is it, can the type IX have two deck guns or is it just extra flack?

One larger 105mm deck gun, up to two light 20mm flak mounts, and a choice between one heavier 20mm Flakvierlig or a 37mm airburst flak. Go for the twin-barrel 37mm as soon as you can get your hands on one. They are quite effective.


edit: That almost reads like a dinner menu.

[Gaz360GT]

Originally Posted by Mannesmann

I have one concern though, adding mods with much more content and details, isn't that bound to slow the game down? My computer is not..eh..up to date

I am running SH3 with GWX on my 4yr old inspiron laptop and it runs fine, only the odd slow down when ships are exploding (i'm using GWX enhanced damage effects though which is probabily the culprit)

I'm using intel core2 1.73GHz, 2GB RAM, ATI mobility Radeon X1400 (256MB I think?).

So you don't need a super computer to run GWX and the graphical improvements are amazing!