What is the best way to attack the enemy?

[Ed112]

Hey, so I bought this game yesterday and did my first patrol earlier today which to be fair was a bit of a disaster as I ran out of torpedos so am just wondering what the best way to attack is.

My main problem is that I hit the first target with my torpedoes while I had the element of surprise but then after that all my other torpedoes missed, probally because the enemy were now alert and doing evasive manouvers so I assume its important to hit as many cargo vessels as possible in the first volley with 1 - 2 torpedos a boat?

Secondly I am not too familiar with U-Boat tactics and I assumed that once a U-Boat had identified a target they would submerge and attack targets at periscope depth, but when I tried this I found the convoy I was looking to engage quickly escaped my range even at quite high speed. So I am wondering if you are meant to attack while on the surface then retreat underwater to make your escape?

Also another problem I was having is that my discipline tanked once I actually got into combat with the Alarm debuff, but also something about normal lighting and I was trying to figure out how to go to change the lights but could not find an obivous option?

[Waxton]

The best way to intercept a convoy or a single ship is to stay surfaced out of their viewing range, go flanking speed and get well ahead of her travel path and set up an ambush. Now, during the day, slightly before you reach your ambush position, submerge the sub or you will be spotted. Historically, U-boats usually attacked during the night. There, they could stay on the surface if they liked. So if you wanted to do that, you'd have to shadow the convoy or single ship until nightfall, then get in position.

Now, usually a cargo ship will go down with one or two torpedoes. You don't need to fire a full salvo at them or anything. Use T1 (Steam) torps during the night since they leave a visible wake and will be easily spotted during the day. T2 (Electric) torps are best used during the day since they are wake-less and the ship won't see it coming. When it comes to hitting multiple targets in a convoy, you'll want to time your torpedo launches to hit each ship at roughly the same time. If you hit one before the others, they will be alerted and do everything they can to evade any other fish you send at them. So, again, make sure each torpedo will hit each target at roughly the same time.

Also, leave corvettes and destroyers alone. Don't ever fire at them unless you absolutely need to. Firing a torpedo at them first is the last mistake you'll ever make. Cargo ships are a U-boat's main objective. A warship is given highest priority ONLY if it's something big and juicy like a carrier, battleship, cruiser, etc.

To keep your discipline high, make sure your cook has more than one food type in the galley. Having four will raise your discipline refresh at 60/min. Really useful! To change the lighting, the switch is above the left hatch in the center compartment. Change it to red during the night (better for the crew's eyes and increases their viewing range) and blue when you want silent running while submerged (it'll lower oxygen consumption by 15% I think).

[Skyliner]

Nah, i just sank 2 corvettes and one destroyer escorting 10+ cargo ships. I hit only one with torpedo and it didnt sink, so i decided to own them with my 88mm cannon, and then i proceeded to machine gun-down the merchant ships to conserve ammo. Firing torpedos is not really satisfying like it was in cold waters, i wish there was easy mode to fire if at xyz direction graphic thinky like in cold waters. Also i think it doesnt matter where you hit them, its like they have invisible health bare, after yo udeplete it it sinks. And that sux very much, i was trying to hit the bottom where the waterline is, but that doesnt seem to matter. Correct me if im wrong, but im testing it right now as im slowly picking off mercant ships. It doesnt seem to matter.

[Mikey]

Originally posted by Skyliner:

Nah, i just sank 2 corvettes and one destroyer escorting 10+ cargo ships. I hit only one with torpedo and it didnt sink, so i decided to own them with my 88mm cannon, and then i proceeded to machine gun-down the merchant ships to conserve ammo. Firing torpedos is not really satisfying like it was in cold waters, i wish there was easy mode to fire if at xyz direction graphic thinky like in cold waters. Also i think it doesnt matter where you hit them, its like they have invisible health bare, after yo udeplete it it sinks. And that sux very much, i was trying to hit the bottom where the waterline is, but that doesnt seem to matter. Correct me if im wrong, but im testing it right now as im slowly picking off mercant ships. It doesnt seem to matter.

When using the AA gun or the 88 you should fire at their water line to poke holes in it. I have found the AA gun to be quite effective against MTBs and merchants compared to the unwieldy 88, but requires you to go full auto to do any damage for some reason.

There are 2 health bars for the ship, it's general condition and it's buoyancy.
General condition is the bright green, it is basicly a morale bar and once it disappears the ship will be abandoned by it's crew.
Buoyancy is as the name suggests the ability for the ship to float. As long as it has buoyancy it will not sink but any holes that aren't plugged when the ship is abandoned will eventually make the ship visit davy jones

[Mikey]

Originally posted by Ed112:

Hey, so I bought this game yesterday and did my first patrol earlier today which to be fair was a bit of a disaster as I ran out of torpedos so am just wondering what the best way to attack is.

My main problem is that I hit the first target with my torpedoes while I had the element of surprise but then after that all my other torpedoes missed, probally because the enemy were now alert and doing evasive manouvers so I assume its important to hit as many cargo vessels as possible in the first volley with 1 - 2 torpedos a boat?

Secondly I am not too familiar with U-Boat tactics and I assumed that once a U-Boat had identified a target they would submerge and attack targets at periscope depth, but when I tried this I found the convoy I was looking to engage quickly escaped my range even at quite high speed. So I am wondering if you are meant to attack while on the surface then retreat underwater to make your escape?

Also another problem I was having is that my discipline tanked once I actually got into combat with the Alarm debuff, but also something about normal lighting and I was trying to figure out how to go to change the lights but could not find an obivous option?

Shooting in the general direction of the enemy seems to be the better approach really.
On a more serious note. If the enemy ships do not have escorts or guns go in full burn next to them and use your deck gun or AA gun to sink them (yes, that machine gun will nuke a merchant ship). HE shells are more likely to start fires while AP shells do more overall damage I have found.
For torpedoes, try and get a volley off while undetected and if possible get in next to them, don't try and fire from the front or back as it is a smaller target from there. You want them broadside. Once detected you can adjust their general speed down by 1-2 knots to account for the evasive maneuvering, but they will remain on their original course just swirving from side to side. Depending on range you will want to fire as they start their turn towards or away from you in their maneuvering so that your torpedoes reach them when they reach the other end of their turn bringing them broadside to you.

[Ruby]

Originally posted by Mikey:

There are 2 health bars for the ship, it's general condition and it's buoyancy.
General condition is the bright green, it is basicly a morale bar and once it disappears the ship will be abandoned by it's crew.

HI,

degree of damage (green), and flooding (light green invers)

Cheers Ruby

[FvJ]

Hey, great tips here, thank you all, especially for pointing out the differences between T1 and T2 torpedoes

[EinherjarKind]

thanks for your short lecture. additionally I would like to observe ship smokes, I hope.

[tmtc]

YT and search TMTC1 and I pretty much cover most things

[FvJ]

Originally posted by tmtc:

YT and search TMTC1 and I pretty much cover most things

Wow!!! 77 videos, which most are a few HOURS long, covering one year and half of development of this game, I think you can really say that ;-) many thanks for the tip and great job!

[jamesglen7]

Stealth is a subs greatest tool so I'd use that to my advantage. I didn't want to spend hours on YouTube learning but that's exactly what happened. Now I love to go on missions and return to home port out of ammo and almost out of fuel. However, I better start going home with one last T5 loaded for an unexpected event instead of duck & cover.

[El Rushbo]

The low profile of a U-boat made them difficult to see during the day, at night they were practically invisible. This especially worked out since the Allies were confident they could deal with the U-boat threat thanks to ASDIC (sonar) Thing is while ASDIC is a powerful tool used to detect U-boats underwater, it's practically useless for targets on the surface. Same thing with hydrophones. In many circumstances a U-boat was more difficult to find on the surface rather than submerged. Obviously the introduction of Radar was a game changer as night might as well be day, especially when dealing with aircraft.

[Folgore]

With a Kaiser Blade. Some people call it a Sling blade.

[EmotionallyBroken]

Originally posted by Ed112:

Secondly I am not too familiar with U-Boat tactics and I assumed that once a U-Boat had identified a target they would submerge and attack targets at periscope depth, but when I tried this I found the convoy I was looking to engage quickly escaped my range even at quite high speed. So I am wondering if you are meant to attack while on the surface then retreat underwater to make your escape?

Are you using the 5th gear? you should be able to barely outrun them submerged at about 8 knots