A few questions from a newbie | Forums

[Django333]

Hello,

I'm new to SHIV and I have some questions. I'm having problems staying undetected while trying to intercept ships. When I close to about 5k yards the escorts seem to make a bee-line to my position and the convoy scatters.

What is the avg distance an enemy ship can detect you? About how close can I get before I need to dive and rig for silent running? Is the speed that is set automatically when I switch to silent running slow enough to be undetected?
Will I be detected if I travel at periscope depth?

If I do manage to get close enough to attack without being detected I usually get spotted when I raise my periscope to attack. How long can I keep my periscope up and not have to worry?

When I ping an enemy ship it gives away my position correct? So whats the point of pinging enemy ships? I'll be honest, I don't really understand the way the sonar works.

Ok, so thats more than a few questions. Pointing me to a guide would be helpful. I read the stickyed posts and learned alot. However, they didn't have alot of info on staying undetected. Thanks in advance.

[Django333]

Hello,

I'm new to SHIV and I have some questions. I'm having problems staying undetected while trying to intercept ships. When I close to about 5k yards the escorts seem to make a bee-line to my position and the convoy scatters.

What is the avg distance an enemy ship can detect you? About how close can I get before I need to dive and rig for silent running? Is the speed that is set automatically when I switch to silent running slow enough to be undetected?
Will I be detected if I travel at periscope depth?

If I do manage to get close enough to attack without being detected I usually get spotted when I raise my periscope to attack. How long can I keep my periscope up and not have to worry?

When I ping an enemy ship it gives away my position correct? So whats the point of pinging enemy ships? I'll be honest, I don't really understand the way the sonar works.

Ok, so thats more than a few questions. Pointing me to a guide would be helpful. I read the stickyed posts and learned alot. However, they didn't have alot of info on staying undetected. Thanks in advance.

[Yooperbacker]

Hello Django, Have you looked over the SHIV Guide. It should answer some of your questions.
To go to the Guide, click Here

[tenakakhan_1981]

1. Being detected by escorts - enemy ships have passive sonar that will detect you if you travel above a certain speed. This is typically anything above 3kts (submerged) or Standard (surface), though it is relative to distance. It's far better to anticipate the position of a target, chase ahead out of visual range, and lay in wait silent for them to cross your path.

2. Depending on surface conditions and your speed, military units will detect you as early as 10,000yds. Merchants tend to be around 7,500-5,000yds. However these numbers are not set, and it requires game time to get a "feel" for variances. You will be detected at periscope depth at very close range or when travelling above 3kts (by military), again this is relative to conditions.

3. I've never had my periscope detected so long as I'm within a range of 800-1,200yds. Having said that, it is possible, so it's best to limit exposure to brief checks on position before taking the final shot/s.

4. Excessive pinging, and pinging at close range can give away your position to military targets, as can checking your depth under keel (which uses active sonar). I use ping only once, usually to determine whether a target is close enough to warrant a chase.

As stated though your job becomes a lot easier when you anticipate your target position, flank or full speed ahead of them, then cut in and wait silent. Chances are you'll not be detected until it's too late and the confusion will allow you time to depart on a zig-zag course at 2kts or lower, on silent running.