Recommended mods for a realistic playthrough?

[Silamon]

Title.

[Dewgle]

Is there any particular experience you're looking for? Realistic can be a bit subjective depending on who you ask.

If you want to completely get rid of the map icons (including your own icon) then I would recommend the Real Navigation mod. This mod forces you to plot your own course and take regular position fixes either by performing a dead reckoning fix or a sextant fix.

Greatly slows down gameplay and adds quite the challenge, especially when infiltrating a convoy as you try to keep track of all the escorts around you. The Compass Navigation mod and Custom Actions mod are required to use the Real Navigation mod. Read description.

The Iron Coffins mod makes almost any leaks fatal if you're not careful, definitely not for beginners. But offers a unique challenge and adds in a few new features such as a more realistic decks awash and the ability to blow your tanks using your diesels.

There's also the Sinking Physics Overhaul mod which adds more thematically-pleasing physics to the way merchants and other ships sink as they go down. Work with me here chief, I could throw mods you all day to see what sticks but it'd be easier if you could tell me if there's something you're looking for.

I've got two collections here to help you get started though. The first is a collection of basic mods no Uboat player should be without in my opinion and none of the mods in this collection require a new game, they can be added to an existing save no problem.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2505070212

This collection is a bit more advanced and contains some of the mods I've already listed. Many of the mods in this collection do require a new save in order to function.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1984078352

And if you're new to modding, some quick words of advice. If the mod says Outdated! in your mod launcher, that doesn't mean the mod doesn't work, that just means the creator of that mod hasn't gotten around to changing one line of text that tells the mod launcher what version of the game the mod was made for.

And lastly, if you encounter any bugs or issues while using mods, please assume the mods caused it and run through this Troubleshooting Guide.

If you have any more questions, try joining the Discord server. There's tons of experienced players willing to help. We even have a dedicated modding community on there.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2791395931
You can find the Discord server in your game launcher as shown here
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2784810551

[Silamon]

Those look good, I was looking at some of them and was not sure if they would still be working, since some of them have not been updated in some time.

As far as realism, I would like to get the game closer to the old Grey Wolves mod for SH3.

[Dewgle]

I've never played a modded version of Silent Hunter. I think the last time I played SH3, EB Games was still in business right next to the Smarter Image store in the mall xD

Anything in particular you remember about the Grey Wolves mod that differs from your experience Uboat? Aside from the TDC mod and Real Navigation, I'm not sure what to recommend.

[Silamon]

Originally posted by McDewgle:

I've never played a modded version of Silent Hunter. I think the last time I played SH3, EB Games was still in business right next to the Smarter Image store in the mall xD

Anything in particular you remember about the Grey Wolves mod that differs from your experience Uboat? Aside from the TDC mod and Real Navigation, I'm not sure what to recommend.

Grey Wolves made submarine ranges more realistic, torpedo mechanics more realistic, added more extreme weathers and effects, improved sound effects for depth charges, made Destroyers significantly more aggressive and better at hunting you, etc.

It was basically a complete overhaul of the game and it was glorious.

The mods you mentioned look like a good start.

http://thegreywolves.com/gwx3/legacy.php

[Dewgle]

Playing Uboat with the torpedo flaw setting at "semi-realistic" or "realistic" is pretty challenging and fairly realistic based on what I've learned about German torpedoes.

When using the impact setting on your torpedo pistols, they will dud if the impact angle is greater than a certain degree. There's a gauge on the TDC mod that will actually tell you what the impact angle of your torpedo will be before you launch it, which is handy.

When using the magnetic setting on your torpedo pistols, they will behave like an authentic German torpedo and explode before they reach the target lol! Early variants of the German pistols are prone to early detonation when using the magnetic setting but as you research better torpedoes (and better pistols along with them), they become less sensitive and less likely to detonate prematurely.

I've been running around trying to tell new players that they don't need to put magnetic torpedoes undernearth ships to make them work (although doing so will cause more damage to the target), just like in real life the magnetic torpedoes will detonate shallow or deep so long as they come into close proximity to the ferrous hull of a ship.

There is a mod though that improves the behavior of the acoustic-homing T5 torpedoes including in the must-have collection. Gives them that signature 'wiggle' as they approach the target and prevents the from steering vertically as the vanilla T5s do. Other than that I'd say the vanilla torpedoes are fairly realistic (so long as you use the semi or full realism torpedo flaw setting). Lots of new players skip past the difficulty settings screen when starting a new career.

I don't know of any mods that add more extreme weather or depth charge sounds but we are do for more improvements to weather in the upcoming patch.

[Silamon]

Honestly after looking at the planned features coming in October I think I will wait for that update before jumping in

[link]

*sketchy dude walks in*
Would you like a historical recreation of all of world war II convoys, ship production, uboat patrols, and missions.

I swear it won't melt your PC.