How do you do it?

[EAF19_Aceman]

I have just finished my first mission in 41 with a IXc and only got 53000 tons.
How do you guys get 100000 plus, i ran out of torpedoes http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif. It was rubbish weather so i couldnt surface and deal with a large cargo loaded with hurricanes which i had disabled with a torp http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/bigtears.gif.
Tips please http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/winky.gif

[Michiel_88]

Tip 1: Keep on trying

Tip 2: Go only for the big, fat ships.

Tip 3: efficient use of your ammo (torpedoes & deck gun)

Tip 4: Keep on trying

The IXC is a more than capable boat, with a good loadout of torpedoes.

[AO1_AW_SW_USN]

If you're running the stock SH3 (unmodded), then achieving the covenant 100k mark while commanding an IX class U-Boat is fairly easy. Just as Michiel_88 said, you have to exercise torpedo management and be very selective. The concept is just like fishing, you don't want to keep the small fry when there's bigger fish in the pond!

If you running a mod like "The Gray Wolves", then it's a lot tougher. I've been running GW for about two months now, and I've reached the 100k plateau twice (attacking the ever present Task Force stacked with BB's near CG94 around 1941 helped to achieve those goals).

[TooFastForLove.]

I've never accomplished it myself. I'd like to point out that the 100k achievers did so using a little less than realistic settings. I play at 100% realism with the exception of the external camera sometimes (the graphics are just too pretty not to). The other point being that you can only go after large targets. I don't believe a Kaptain back then would have let that tramp steamer go on by in the name of saving a torpedo or two. Further more most of them probably wouldn't only fire one torpedo at a ship.

In the end its to each his own and SH3 is for all of us to enjoy however we wish. I personally don't see 100k as much of an accomplishment because you have to bend realism too much to get there. I felt a little bad the one time I exceeded 60K.

[Realjambo]

I have nearly 20 100k patrols to my record, so I'll throw in my penneth worth here.

It's easier early on in the war, when the Merchants aren't armed for a start.

Take advantage of good weather, when you can man your deck gun. As others have said, go for the larger vessels, leave Coastal Merchants and Steamers alone, even though they are tempting - look for C2 and C3's, Tankers and...Liner's (be careful, many Liners are neutral - check their flag before firing!)

Ideally aim for the waterline. Then use your Torpedo's when you can't use your deck gun.

Try Port raiding, you'll find some good tonnage there. Scapa Flow is good, but beware the Destroyers!

As for Patrol Grids, try AM53, BF 17 areas, the South Western approaches to Britain, below Southern Ireland.

Convoys - everyone plays this differently, there is no right or wrong, but if you can sink the Escorts, and the weather is good, surface and deck gun the Merchants, then revert to Torpedo's.

Are you using an aiming mod? i.e does your recognition manual show the vulnerable areas of the Merchants?

As in previous posts - patience patience patience my friend

Good luck!

[EAF19_Aceman]

Are you using an aiming mod? i.e does your recognition manual show the vulnerable areas of the Merchants?
Pleas can i have a link for one, it would help me loads.
Cheers
Dan

[Amnio]

You can get the full vulnerability manual mod here (http://www.subsim.com/subsim_files/patches2005.html). (about 1/4th down the list)

[stabiz]

Originally posted by TooFastForLove.:
I've never accomplished it myself. I'd like to point out that the 100k achievers did so using a little less than realistic settings. I play at 100% realism with the exception of the external camera sometimes (the graphics are just too pretty not to). The other point being that you can only go after large targets. I don't believe a Kaptain back then would have let that tramp steamer go on by in the name of saving a torpedo or two. Further more most of them probably would only fire one torpedo at a ship.

In the end its to each his own and SH3 is for all of us to enjoy however we wish. I personally don't see 100k as much of an accomplishment because you have to bend realism too much to get there. I felt a little bad the one time I exceeded 60K.

I totally agree.

[Manstein16]

Originally posted by TooFastForLove.:
I've never accomplished it myself. I'd like to point out that the 100k achievers did so using a little less than realistic settings. I play at 100% realism with the exception of the external camera sometimes (the graphics are just too pretty not to). The other point being that you can only go after large targets. I don't believe a Kaptain back then would have let that tramp steamer go on by in the name of saving a torpedo or two. Further more most of them probably would only fire one torpedo at a ship.

In the end its to each his own and SH3 is for all of us to enjoy however we wish. I personally don't see 100k as much of an accomplishment because you have to bend realism too much to get there. I felt a little bad the one time I exceeded 60K.


I totally agree.

I shall 3rd that. I just sank 28000 tons in a convoy in late '43 on 100% realism (somehow managing the grueling counterattack that had cans rocking my boat at 240m) and let me tell you, that put a bigger grin on my face than knocking out an entire convoy single-handedly ever could. Not to bash those who enjoy an arcade experience...it's just not the way I roll http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-wink.gif

But to answer the question, a few tips:

1) Go for keel shots with your mag torps
2) If the merchants are unarmed, try to take out their engine room, then finish them with your 88 after the escorts leave them behind
3) Never waste your fish on escorts
4) Tankers, tankers, tankers! (unless playing w/ GW)
5) Avoid C2s like the plague (again, unless playing w/ GW)

Good luck!

[schwarze_Katze]

Aceman, check PMs. I dropped off some hints for single shot kills (stock game).

[EAF19_Aceman]

Thank you kind sir, i shall try those tips out