Questions about game mechanics and realism settings in Career Mode

blubalou · 10-14-19, 04:56 PM

First off, I'm looking to determine the correlation between Gameplay (Realism) Settings and Career Mode difficulty (Easy, Normal, Hard, Very Hard.) I want Manual Targeting but also prefer getting map contact updates from visual or sonar contacts.

The first time I started a career, I chose 'Normal', then after a 3,000 mile Pacific cruise, I figured out Normal did not allow me to make TDC entries, so I started over with Hard as my selection. Now I'm required (and able) to generate my own targeting solution, but I'm not sure if I'm getting map contact updates. (Last night, while playing my career, I engaged a convoy in light fog, and received only gray contacts...., but I'm thinking that was because of the poor visibility? But then why didn't radar or sonar provide the red contacts?)

A couple of other items that seem to behave differently in Career Mode as compared to Quick Missions where I can control the Realism Settings....

1. Control over the direction of the hydrophone. In Career Mode I seem unable to control that, whereas I would like to be able to move it around the boat to hear for myself what's out there in all directions. What determines how that works?

2. Locking a target ('L' key) is a handy helper that I like (albeit not realistic) but this also did not work for me during my convoy encounter. Is this possibly also related to the poor visibility? i.e. do I need a red contact in order to lock it?

BTW, I played SH III for a while a long time ago (could it be 10 years ago already?!) but I'm more or less a Noob to the game and the subsim forums. So thanks in advance for any help!!!

-blu

KaleunMarco · 10-14-19, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blubalou

First off, I'm looking to determine the correlation between Gameplay (Realism) Settings and Career Mode difficulty (Easy, Normal, Hard, Very Hard.) I want Manual Targeting but also prefer getting map contact updates from visual or sonar contacts.

The first time I started a career, I chose 'Normal', then after a 3,000 mile Pacific cruise, I figured out Normal did not allow me to make TDC entries, so I started over with Hard as my selection. Now I'm required (and able) to generate my own targeting solution, but I'm not sure if I'm getting map contact updates. (Last night, while playing my career, I engaged a convoy in light fog, and received only gray contacts...., but I'm thinking that was because of the poor visibility? But then why didn't radar or sonar provide the red contacts?)

A couple of other items that seem to behave differently in Career Mode as compared to Quick Missions where I can control the Realism Settings....

1. Control over the direction of the hydrophone. In Career Mode I seem unable to control that, whereas I would like to be able to move it around the boat to hear for myself what's out there in all directions. What determines how that works?

2. Locking a target ('L' key) is a handy helper that I like (albeit not realistic) but this also did not work for me during my convoy encounter. Is this possibly also related to the poor visibility? i.e. do I need a red contact in order to lock it?

BTW, I played SH III for a while a long time ago (could it be 10 years ago already?!) but I'm more or less a Noob to the game and the subsim forums. So thanks in advance for any help!!!

-blu

Blu,
welcome to subsim and SH4.
Career Mode Difficulty and Realism are related with one being a title. Career Mode Difficulty will pre-set many of the Realism settings. When you generate your boat under a Difficulty, click on Radio (left side of screen), and you can totally customize your Realism.

hydrophone control is usually handled by the "H" key and you can use the mouse wheel to control direction....assuming you are playing Stock. not sure what else can be said.

the lock target key may not work with Manual Targeting. i, myself, am an Auto-Target Kaleun, and the lock key works without fail. however, if you are shooting manually, things may be different. i am going to step aside here and allow others to reply on the lock key and manual shooting.

good luck. and good hunting.

propbeanie · 10-14-19, 06:16 PM

... and if you're in a Gato-related boat, you might need to apply CapnScurvy's Gato Sonar Bearing Fix_Stock, else you are stuck with the Stock's "click the handle", which takes forever.

The radio console that KaleunMarco is referring to is found in the Captain's office that you are in while between patrols, or at the beginning of the career mode.

The "Lock" is affected by 'visibility' (or lack thereof). Think of the "Lock" as your XO following the target while you look at the chart. You can sometimes come up a pinch above PD and get a better Lock...

Welcome to SubSim!

blubalou · 10-14-19, 07:07 PM

I clicked around the office before starting my mission, but did not land on the radio.

But now I know!

And I should have told you that I am playing SH 1.5 with THEBERBSTERS Mega Mod. As for whether or not that works with the 'H' key, I don't know. I just logged out, but will try again this evening.

Yes, I am in a Gato boat, and probably was not when playing the quick missions, so I will also look at Gato's Sonar Bearing fix.

Lastly, the part about the lock not working due to visibility makes sense, but even there, good advice to come up a few feet to get better clearance for my periscope in heavy seas.

Thanks you guys! Subsim seems like a great community!

KaleunMarco · 10-14-19, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blubalou

And I should have told you that I am playing SH 1.5 with THEBERBSTERS Mega Mod. As for whether or not that works with the 'H' key, I don't know. I just logged out, but will try again this evening.

it is always a best practice to include your mod list when posting your question(s). Use JSGME, Tasks - Export Activated Mods to Clipboard. then paste it with your question(s).
for example:
Generic Mod Enabler - v2.6.0.157
[C:\Ubisoft\Stock\MODS]

RFB_LocNames
Medals Fix IV for v1.5 - STOCK by CapnScurvy

propbeanie · 10-15-19, 06:07 AM

... and the Sonar Bearing Fix - Stock does work with Webster's GFO, which is what the Berbster's package is - and is a good place to start with using mods. THEBERBSTER really documents his package, and numbers the different options for excellent ease-of-use.

10-14-19, 04:56 PM	#1
blubalou Swabbie Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 6 Downloads: 17 Uploads: 0	Questions about game mechanics and realism settings in Career Mode First off, I'm looking to determine the correlation between Gameplay (Realism) Settings and Career Mode difficulty (Easy, Normal, Hard, Very Hard.) I want Manual Targeting but also prefer getting map contact updates from visual or sonar contacts. The first time I started a career, I chose 'Normal', then after a 3,000 mile Pacific cruise, I figured out Normal did not allow me to make TDC entries, so I started over with Hard as my selection. Now I'm required (and able) to generate my own targeting solution, but I'm not sure if I'm getting map contact updates. (Last night, while playing my career, I engaged a convoy in light fog, and received only gray contacts...., but I'm thinking that was because of the poor visibility? But then why didn't radar or sonar provide the red contacts?) A couple of other items that seem to behave differently in Career Mode as compared to Quick Missions where I can control the Realism Settings.... 1. Control over the direction of the hydrophone. In Career Mode I seem unable to control that, whereas I would like to be able to move it around the boat to hear for myself what's out there in all directions. What determines how that works? 2. Locking a target ('L' key) is a handy helper that I like (albeit not realistic) but this also did not work for me during my convoy encounter. Is this possibly also related to the poor visibility? i.e. do I need a red contact in order to lock it? BTW, I played SH III for a while a long time ago (could it be 10 years ago already?!) but I'm more or less a Noob to the game and the subsim forums. So thanks in advance for any help!!! -blu

10-14-19, 06:16 PM	#3
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 10,098 Downloads: 451 Uploads: 2	... and if you're in a Gato-related boat, you might need to apply CapnScurvy's Gato Sonar Bearing Fix_Stock, else you are stuck with the Stock's "click the handle", which takes forever. The radio console that KaleunMarco is referring to is found in the Captain's office that you are in while between patrols, or at the beginning of the career mode. The "Lock" is affected by 'visibility' (or lack thereof). Think of the "Lock" as your XO following the target while you look at the chart. You can sometimes come up a pinch above PD and get a better Lock... Welcome to SubSim! __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna

10-15-19, 06:07 AM	#6
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 10,098 Downloads: 451 Uploads: 2	... and the Sonar Bearing Fix - Stock does work with Webster's GFO, which is what the Berbster's package is - and is a good place to start with using mods. THEBERBSTER really documents his package, and numbers the different options for excellent ease-of-use. __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna

10-14-19, 07:07 PM	#4
blubalou Swabbie Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 6 Downloads: 17 Uploads: 0	I clicked around the office before starting my mission, but did not land on the radio. But now I know! And I should have told you that I am playing SH 1.5 with THEBERBSTERS Mega Mod. As for whether or not that works with the 'H' key, I don't know. I just logged out, but will try again this evening. Yes, I am in a Gato boat, and probably was not when playing the quick missions, so I will also look at Gato's Sonar Bearing fix. Lastly, the part about the lock not working due to visibility makes sense, but even there, good advice to come up a few feet to get better clearance for my periscope in heavy seas. Thanks you guys! Subsim seems like a great community!