Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: DiabloTX on January 30, 2008, 09:46:52 PM
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Lastnight I had one while playing Silent Hunter III. It's basically the only game I play now. Sub sims have always held a special place in my PC gaming heart. This one took it to a whole new level.
Date: Early March, '42, early afternoon. Square BE61, southeast corner. Skies clear, no fog, winds at 0.
I am at the end of a long deployment. I have 4 torpedoes left; one electric standing by in tube 4, the other 3 aft. One acoustic T4 in tube 5 ready, another in stand by, and an electric in the external storage. In my last patrol I found that the SE quadrant of BE61 is rife with tankers, the biggest and fattest of the normal ships you'll see. T3's, T2's and the occaisional small tanker. It's a primo hunting ground for sure. The only problem is it's under the umbrella of air cover that is condusive to the early end of a promising career.
It's early in the afternoon when my OOD reports a large convoy to the south-south east of us heading north-north west at 6 knots. I quickly tell the radio operator to get off a contact report and we head to periscope depth, turning towards where the convoy for interception. Normally, when I've attacked a convoy under ideal circumstances, I try to sneak into the path of the convoy preferrably down the middle having the ships go by me within 500 meters of my foretubes and the outer ships at about 600 meters from my aft tube. I've been very successful at this but the one variable that seems to work against me is the weather. More often than not when I find a large convoy it's in the worst possible weather and visibility is compromised to the point that I can't get good firing solutions. Not this time.
I managed to get my U-boat exactly where I want it. All I have is the electric torpedo waiting in tube 4. My plan is to wait until the biggest target comes by, shoot, turn 90 degrees to port and follow the convoy matching its speed. I have to wait about 10 minutes when a troop transport (7900 tons) passes by followed by a T3 tanker (11,400 tons). I'm close enough for a 1-shot, 1-kill. The T3 comes into view, I shoot and score my kill. I immediately become detected due to my periscope being seen by the ships passing behind me, mere 100 meters or so. I hit full speed, turn the rudder 35 degrees to to port follow the convoy hoping to hide in the noise of over 20 screws making a hell of a covering symphony. As I expect, after the 90 degree turn I angle my periscope aft and find a Hunt III destroyer from the rear vanguard making a run into the convoy to hunt me down. No problem as I've kept the rear acoustical homing torpedo just for this purpose. I let lose that torpedo, go to silent running, and dive down, hoping my torpedo will ignore the behemoths at 6 knots and go for the louder more pronounced noise of the Hunt III making 20 knots.
I'm comfortably cruising at 6 knots heading down towards my depth goal of 160 meters when I hear the unmistakable noise of a torpedo hit. The only problem is that it's way too early for it to make it to the Hunt III on my tail. It either exploded prematurely, as they all have for me, or it hit a merchant ship. I'm pretty sure it premied but that's the least of my worries now. How the **** am I going to get away from the convoy and past the escorts?
I follow the ships as best as I can and after a few minutes I decide to make my escape, trying to slowly get away at 3 knots and at a dept that I am hoping will throw off the sonar of the destroyers above me.
Boy was I wrong.
For the next real hour and a half I'm trying to escape the full-on ASW tactics of 2 Hunt III destroyers. Nothing is working. They are playing me beautifully. One will set up an attack run and I will react to it. After the first 45 minutes of doing this the AI gets really tough. Not only are they working as a concise team they are learning my moves. I spend the next 45 minutes literally going from flank speed to emergency reverse trying to throw off their attacks. I am literally sailing through a forest of depth charges, destroying my AA and deck guns. I am also having a bad case of the sweats. From a video game. I haven't had an experience like that in a long, long time. Finally, one of the escorts decides he's had enough and turns back to the convoy, slowly getting away to the north. The one that stays is determined to hunt me down. He does not let up. He does not leave. It's sub vs. destroyer...the classic matchup.
We start out pretty much doing the same thing. He acts, I react. After about another 10 minutes of this I decide I've had enough. His attacks are getting more and more accurate. It's only a matter of time until one of his depth charges finds it's mark and my career is done. I decide on a desperate plan of action and secure from silent running, giving my torpedomen time to load the next acoustic homing torpedo into the aft tube. I will come to periscope depth after the next attack and let loose with acoutic weapon.
Again the Hunt III bides his time. Then he makes his attack. I have to say at this point in time it didn't feel like I was playing against the PC, I felt like Moby Dick agianst Capt. Ahab. A battle to the death for sure. He makes his attack and passes over me. I hit flank speed and up diving planes trying to make for periscope depth. He then makes a broad, slow turn to port after passing over me. He obviously hears me go flank speed and coming to the surface. Maybe he thinks I'm surfacing to fight it out there but he doesn't know my deck gun is destroyed. I quickly get to periscope depth and can tell he is still sitting there off of my port quarter, waiting. I get about 500 meters ahead of him and hear the report that the destroyer has started moving. Here's my chance. I let lose with my torpedo and immediately race straight ahead, gambling my racing away will encourage him to follow me, hopefully attracting the attention of the acoustic torpedo. I got to the TDC, the torpedo data center, to see how the torpedo's reacting. I see the destroyer on the chart aft of me, well beyond the torpedo. Then I see the torpedo to 180 degree turn, coming right back at me. My gamble has failed. I truly have the feeling of being beaten by a real destroy skipper, not some AI in a game. I am coming to terms with it. It's been a great battle, the better man won. Suddenly I hear an explosion, the unmistakle sound of a torpedo explosion. The torpedo has prematured. Again. I figure what the hell, let me see my victor as he lays his coup de grace on me. I up periscope and swing it around to aft. I see the Hunt III bearing down on me, it's large bow wake like a huge white mustache. 100 meters. 90 meters. 80 meters. Getting ever closer. Suddenly, a sight I wasn't expecting to see. The bow of the Hunt III immediately goes up into the air. A large ball of black smoke rising from aft of the destroyer. Slowly, the ship cork screws around in a slow death dance, a macabre sight of a ship that just seconds before was on it's final track to kill me. I am stunned, astonished, surprised, and amazed. The torpedo waited for the destroyer to chase me, then it chased him, hitting the ship in the fantail and blowing it off.
I watch as the ship slowy sinks. I can't help but feel a little guilty, that the better captain didn't win, that I used a trick to win. But, in the end, I did win. Stunned and not knowing what to do I change speed down to 1/3 creeping away at periscope depth, not believing that the last hour and a half I was in the battle for my life. After about 30 minutes I see the other Hunt III come back to the area where the other ship had just went down. It circled the area for about 10 minutes then left.
My adrenalin was still coursing though me as I sat there looking at the monitor. What I thought was a unwinnable scenario, my own personal Kobayashi Maru scenario, and I found a way to win. It was a great, great feeling.
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i love subs...
I dotn get it..I htought u said ur torp prem'd?
I was a subscriber to "SharkHunters " for many years..you ever read that magazine?
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Originally posted by BiGBMAW
i love subs...
I dotn get it..I htought u said ur torp prem'd?
I was a subscriber to "SharkHunters " for many years..you ever read that magazine?
That's just the thing, I had thought it had premied too! I was wrong.
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Originally posted by DiabloTX
That's just the thing, I had thought it had premied too! I was wrong.
Sounds like you premie a lot. you should get that fixed
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Originally posted by C(Sea)Bass
Sounds like you premie a lot. you should get that fixed
Why, is your wife and/or gf complaining again?
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Originally posted by DiabloTX
Why, is your wife and/or gf complaining again?
HA! I havn't had a gf in years! so HA!
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Originally posted by C(Sea)Bass
HA! I havn't had a gf in years! so HA!
And now you know why!
:aok
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Good read Diablo.
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Yes. Well written!
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Why do you have acoustic fish in 42?
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Are you playing it with GWX 2.0 mod?
...-Gixer
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If there comes a Pacific SHIII patch where I can be a U.S. sub skipper I may feel the bite again.
Right now I'm patiently awaiting my "Full Canvas Jacket" patch for RBIII.
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Originally posted by Russian
Why do you have acoustic fish in 42?
T4, introduced in early '42.
And, no, I'm not playing the GW mod. Apparently my old PC won't run it smoothly.
Thanks for the compliments guys.
Arlo, there is a patch for U.S. sub skippers. It's called SHIV!! :D
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It's soooo dam easy to confuse Texans anymore... Dam near no longer an Okie sport.
try this:
Take an empty Lone Star long neck beer...replace the cap. Place it infront of a passed out Texan and turn on all the lights.
Yell out "Last Call"...
Bettin money is on how fast the Texan will be suckin wind outta an empty bottle.
:D
Mac
BTW great read Diablo
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Good AAR. Did you ever play Wolves at War?
I got involved there, but left it after I was sunk and killed off Cape Hatteras. Might be right up your alley though. There are different flotillas, commanded by real commanders, they assign you missions and you go out hunting, writing AARS when you're finished.
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Good report there and very very well written. Sounds like a good game to get. Are the new releases of SH3 free of the starforce crap?
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SH3 suddenly stopped working on my machine for some reason. I get a blue screen of death and something about a failure to write to memory.
I played it too much to be bothered trying to fix it. Maybe a reinstall will be in order in the future but for now...meh.
Good story though. :aok
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Dammit, you're going to get me to break down and buy that game with AAR's like that. :mad:
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I have SH2 and it's good... when it works. Doesn't sound anything like what you describe as, the AI in SH2 is about as intelligent as meatwad.
it doesnt have any of them fancy pants acoustic homing junk neither. Just point, shoot and hope.
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Sounds cool, but I don't have the patience for games like that. I'd get bored out of my mind on the first mission.
Sink some freighters for me will ya? :D
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Originally posted by Treize69
Sounds cool, but I don't have the patience for games like that. I'd get bored out of my mind on the first mission.
Sink some freighters for me will ya? :D
Freighters are for girls. I sink warships. Go into the enemy harbor and torp a pair of BBs maybe even a CV or 5.
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great read.:aok
ive had the same experiance in sh4 when i had to do a photo recon in a bay in japan with only 90m depth and destroyers patroling:eek:
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Thanks again for the compliments.
I downloaded SHIII straight from Ubisoft. I haven't enountered anything that has hung up other games or the burning of CD's or DVD's.
It IS a game that requires great patience but that lends itself to a big payoff when you have moments like I had. The acoustic torpedoes are great in theory but it's a real crapshoot if they're going to work or not. In my experience with them I got really lucky with that hit on the Hunt III.
Photo recon of a bay in Japan, eh? Sounds dangerous, count me in!
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ive always loved the silent hunter series.
whats latest patch of SHIII?
gonna install it again uve got me wanting to grow my beard :)
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Originally posted by swoopy
ive always loved the silent hunter series.
whats latest patch of SHIII?
gonna install it again uve got me wanting to grow my beard :)
1.4b, I think. I know there was a 1.4a but I'm pretty sure it's a 'b' now.
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thanks.:)
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Diablo,
Damn good write up! You should submit it to the various sub review sites.
I haven't played a sub sim since my Amiga days many, many years ago.
Now I'm going to have to try a sub sim again! (damn you!!) :D
Okay, now what's a good one to get along with what update(s)?
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For all the info on any Sub game just visit http://www.subsim.com for SH3 GWX 2.0 is a must, not only improves graphics but mainly it improves AI and historical details.
SH3 with GWX is close to perfect imho, very mature product now. I have SH4 but I find the Atlantic more interesting.
...-Gixer
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Played SH3, lost interest, too repetitive after a 2 year campaign.
Played SH4, had a great time, lost interest on the return trips because of the constant wait for night/ run surface / wait for night manually. Whished their was a way to auto that, or to autodive when radar sights a plane. The trip home from Japan is a pain with about 50 interruptions.
I'll buy the Uboat Addon off course. For now, back to Medieval Total War, awsome game, while waiting for "Empire". :aok
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I use RUB 1.45 and SH3 Commander. Although I haven't played in a couple months.
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Here are few pics of SH4 and Maru mod.
(http://x2c.xanga.com/60ec16fa20431161370073/w121485952.jpg)
(http://xfc.xanga.com/eb3c02f678130161370159/w121486023.jpg)
(http://xd5.xanga.com/b04c0bf6c7233161370118/w121485989.jpg)
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Originally posted by Russian
Here are few pics of SH4 and Maru mod.
where can i get that mod from russian?
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You can download the latest Trigger Maru mod here version 1.7.6
http://hosted.filefront.com/Ducimus554/
And visit subsim.com forums for latest mod information.
...-Gixer
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Good read Diablo. I can't run SH3 since I installed xp64. Anyone know if SH4 will run on xp64?
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Originally posted by AKIron
Good read Diablo. I can't run SH3 since I installed xp64. Anyone know if SH4 will run on xp64?
Runs fine on Vista 64
...-Gixer
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Can you use guns on those guys in the lifeboats?
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Originally posted by Gixer
Runs fine on Vista 64
...-Gixer
Maybe it'll run on xp64 then. WTH, I can always do another side by side install of xp.
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Originally posted by AKIron
Maybe it'll run on xp64 then. WTH, I can always do another side by side install of xp.
It works just fine on xp3200+ and XP pro.
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Originally posted by Russian
It works just fine on xp3200+ and XP pro.
I usta run it on my old xp machine. Last time I upgraded my hardware I made the mistake of installing Windows XP 64 bit. SH3 will not run on it. I'll try SH4, if it doesn't run I'll do a side by side install of xp 32 bit.
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Downloading SH4 now.
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IS that an online game or is it a single player game. sounds rather interesting.
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Originally posted by Cypher
IS that an online game or is it a single player game. sounds rather interesting.
Both.
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3.81GB d/l, 89%
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Originally posted by SFRT - Frenchy
Played SH3, lost interest, too repetitive after a 2 year campaign.
Played SH4, had a great time, lost interest on the return trips because of the constant wait for night/ run surface / wait for night manually. Whished their was a way to auto that, or to autodive when radar sights a plane. The trip home from Japan is a pain with about 50 interruptions.
I'll buy the Uboat Addon off course. For now, back to Medieval Total War, awsome game, while waiting for "Empire". :aok
Crap Frenchy, sorry, meant to respond to this earlier.
I understand your disappointment in what you have to go through in a Pacific sub campaign. I'll tell you what...I'd give anything to have 6 tubes foreward, 4 tubes aft, and 12 to 14 reloads to go with them!
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Originally posted by AKIron
3.81GB d/l, 89%
I hope you enjoy it. I really wish I had the rig to play it. Maybe next year, C-Hog's getting my excess fund spending this year!
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This is the current list of mods I have installed. First three are needed rest improves graphics and ship traffic.
1_TMaru_Trigger_Maru_1.7.6
2_TMaru_Sound
3_TMaru_GFX-ROW_Version_5
ROW NEW SeaFoam from Jaketoox
ROW NEW Clouds from Kriller2
(ROW Sound optional)
(ROW Loading Screen optional)
RSRDC_P2_TM_v221
...-Gixer
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Originally posted by Gixer
This is the current list of mods I have installed. First three are needed rest improves graphics and ship traffic.
1_TMaru_Trigger_Maru_1.7.6
2_TMaru_Sound
3_TMaru_GFX-ROW_Version_5
ROW NEW SeaFoam from Jaketoox
ROW NEW Clouds from Kriller2
(ROW Sound optional)
(ROW Loading Screen optional)
RSRDC_P2_TM_v221
...-Gixer
cheers gixer
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Hooray! It runs. Now to get the suggested mods.
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I've been thinking of picking up one of these SH sims, but I remember hearing about Starforce DRM crap. Is there a way to get it legally without the Starforce?
I ****ing hate DRM malware rootkit-type programs.
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Originally posted by Engine
I've been thinking of picking up one of these SH sims, but I remember hearing about Starforce DRM crap. Is there a way to get it legally without the Starforce?
I ****ing hate DRM malware rootkit-type programs.
I believe the downloads are Starforce free. I just bought SH4 for $19.95 and downloaded it.
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Cheap! Thanks, I'll download one tonight. Probably SH3... Can't resist the call of the Atlantic. :)
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Originally posted by DiabloTX
Crap Frenchy, sorry, meant to respond to this earlier.
I understand your disappointment in what you have to go through in a Pacific sub campaign. I'll tell you what...I'd give anything to have 6 tubes foreward, 4 tubes aft, and 12 to 14 reloads to go with them!
Oh yeah, especially since those Jap carriers group have at least 4 carriers. I had one that was reported to me heading straight at my position. It was night, heavy seas. I dived to 150ft, picked them on the earphones after a while. I moved to place myself straight in their path on silent, 3kts speed.
I kept track of their movement.
When I had contacts from all directions, I periscoped straight up engine off, hoping not to be run over. The placement paid off, I was straight in between the task force, with a carrier straight ahead couple hundred yard, with another one following. I didn't even computed speeds, shot 3 straight up, shot 3 more to the trailing carrier, shot all 4 rear to an another carrier.
I dove back down right away to max death. The 2 first CVs went down, the third one got hit but survived, 1 torp missed but hit a tanker that broke in half.:huh
I tracked and hid under the lumbering CV, while escort got nuts. I made my escape about 30 min later. One escort got my number, but still managed to escape.
On the top of the torpedo tube numbers, the other awsome thingy about the pac is the radar that allows you to detect incoming aircrafts, giving u plenty of time to dive. :cool:
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Originally posted by Curval
Can you use guns on those guys in the lifeboats?
Ah....yes you can :t
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Originally posted by Engine
I've been thinking of picking up one of these SH sims, but I remember hearing about Starforce DRM crap. Is there a way to get it legally without the Starforce?
I ****ing hate DRM malware rootkit-type programs.
Just don't install it, if you purchase from DVD when it reaches the Starforce Install part just hit cancel. For the download version no idea.
...-Gixer
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I thought the whole problem with Starforce DRM was that it installs itself and runs in the backround without permission. It's not an issue if you just don't need to install it. Also not very useful as copy protection. :)
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Thanks for the heads up on the GWX2.0 mod - SHIII been lying dormant off my hardrive and in the closest for the past year.
What a piece of work by the community - am das booting all over again.
And as regards Diablo's initial post - that's the difference between games and sims.
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Forgot to add a plug for shoot.exe
Net freeware that enables voice coms for sub control. (plus other games)
Anyone want a command_en.cfg file and a shoot profile just post - will try to comply.
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Alright, I've downloaded SH3, and ran through the first tutorial successfully. Already I can tell I'm going to need to go out and buy a corncob pipe.
I'm assuming there's no ingame options to change resolution or apply anti-aliasing?
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There are some graphic options but not many. It's either all on or all off, I forget to what extent.
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According to uboat.net and wikipedia the Falke torpedo was introduced in march 1943. Mission not valid, you should repeat it. :D
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Originally posted by Arlo
If there comes a Pacific SHIII patch where I can be a U.S. sub skipper I may feel the bite again.
Right now I'm patiently awaiting my "Full Canvas Jacket" patch for RBIII.
is there a way to get RB3 to work?