how to build subs

[Crustacean]

ive never made it past 1915 due to update killing old saves but i keep unlocking more and more sub tech but no option to build subs ever appears. how do you do this?

[Ninjafroggie]

at the top of the screen there's a tab for submarines (far right). Click it to open the subs list, and there's a button to order construction of subs in there. Personally I don't find most subs all that useful, they hardly ever inflict any meaningful losses on enemy warships or TRs on their default setting, and setting them to unrestricted can spike tensions with countries and drag you into a war against multiple nations that never ends since every time once makes peace it immediately goes back to war with you because you're fighting their friends. Minelaying subs are probably the most useful of the lot IMO, but even then I just dont find it worth the cost, I'd rather invest in more DDs that attack enemy convoys much more reliably

[cyan027]

Mostly I use minelayer subs for port defending.

Although they can't really sink anything, they do send everything home for repair when enemies approaching, thus stop naval invasion against your port.

Very useful imo.

Of course, DD with minelaying ability can do same thing.

[Ninjafroggie]

It just occurred to me that the first few sub techs dont actually give you the ability to build any subs and that might be what OP is talking about...IIRC there's like 6 or 7 levels of 'submarine experiments' tech that needs to be unlocked before you can research your first submarine hull.

Also, every now and then, I actually do sink enemy ships with mines. It's rare, but once in a while I see '100% damage, 100% crew loss' on a ship that got hit by mines. Doesnt award any VP tho

[cyan027]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2930204985

ugh, you are right. Now I learned a new way to use my submarine.

[Ninjafroggie]

How?!? My subs at sea almost never engage anything, and when they do the enemy frequently only gets light damage! Were these subs deployed at sea, or were they sitting in port? Were they set to restricted, or unrestricted?

[Ninjasquirrel]

Originally posted by cyan027:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2930204985

ugh, you are right. Now I learned a new way to use my submarine.

Except you can't get subs in 1891.

[ruecker-schleiden]

1) Submarines need to be developed first.
Your initial technology gives you "submarine experiments". Each tech invents one component you need to make a sub work. Once you have unlocked all of them two new technologies pop up to the right. One is for submarine hulls ( coastal, normal, cruiser, mine-layer) and one is for further tech to improve them.
Once you have developed a hull you can start building them under submarines. if you build one it will appear in a similar manner like your ships ( building, commissioning etc)

2) using them.
a) keep them in port (defend)-> means they will operate close to the port, attacking enemy TFs in range.
b) send them out as TFs. They appear in their respective ports. pick "move submarines". In the beginning max is two. They can only operate in a red range circle.
Once in position, they will get "submarine" missions at times, attacking convoys or TFs. If the enemy has low ASW capability, they can be very devastating (think Aboukir, Hogue, Cressy against U 9).

[ZiggyDeath]

Originally posted by Ninjasquirrel:

Except you can't get subs in 1891.

Savegame editing.

[cyan027]

I wanna test submarine right away so I changed some values. for example, change tech budget to 10,000 ....

Originally posted by ZiggyDeath:

Originally posted by Ninjasquirrel:

Except you can't get subs in 1891.

Savegame editing.

[Ninjasquirrel]

You can't get an accurate test that way since you're using subs in an era where ships have no way of detecting or attacking your sub, making your sub basically invincible.

From my experience so far, its usually safe to attack BBs and BCs if they have no escort. You can expect to sink or heavily damage them without getting damaged yourself. Any other kind of warship will have a decent chance of damaging or sinking your subs depending on their equipment. Fast ships are harder for your subs to damage, this is a big reason why you sank so many ships in 1891.

[cyan027]

I know that result is not accurate. But it is a possibility that I can working for.

[ZiggyDeath]

Originally posted by cyan027:

I wanna test submarine right away so I changed some values. for example, change tech budget to 10,000 ....

Unless something has drastically changed, this will not produce the effect you want.

Start a 1940 campaign in a different save slot. Open it up, grab the relevant section for subs and edit into a 1890 savegame.

Also just a note, you might as well copy most things because 1940 subs cost more than your typical 1910s dreadnoughts.

[cyan027]

To be frankly, Even I copy all 1940 techs to 1890 campaign and start fight right away, most of the enemy ships will just take light damage, only 1 or 2 will be sunken. That screenshot was an extremely lucky one.