Rating the single missions from easiest to hardest

[valenti_scott]

Hello-
I played the first single mission ("Duel"), and was able to complete the task without too much difficulty. So I went on to the second mission ("In the Presence of Wolves") and found it to be very difficult.

I managed to sink one submarine, but then my boat was attacked and sunk pretty quickly. So I feel like there was a learning gradient issue here; maybe my assumption that the missions are in approximate order of difficulty was incorrect, or maybe the campaign provides a smoother gradient? Or maybe someone has a list of the single missions, graded by difficulty.
-Scott

[Naruto 607]

It's kinda difficult to determine which mission is easy or hard, depending on the situation. It's generally trial and error; you have to figure it out yourself.

Also, I forgot to mention that there's a slider to adjust difficulty in Options menu, and changing default commander's name to something that can enable "cheats" internally. If you found missions too hard, reduce the difficulty.

If you want a list of missions sorted by difficulty, it's kinda difficult and will take a long time, and every people's perspective on a mission is different. I'll get back to you when I have a lot of time to discuss about it.

[valenti_scott]

Thanks; next time I'll look for the difficulty slider.

I think part of the issue in the "Presence of Wolves" scenario, at least for me, was the Soviet aircraft you would see occasionally, and they'd drop devices into the water. That was not covered in the tutorials, and I guess I need to look into that more. Any pointers you have would be appreciated.

[rokvam]

Originally posted by valenti_scott:

Thanks; next time I'll look for the difficulty slider.

I think part of the issue in the "Presence of Wolves" scenario, at least for me, was the Soviet aircraft you would see occasionally, and they'd drop devices into the water. That was not covered in the tutorials, and I guess I need to look into that more. Any pointers you have would be appreciated.

The second you introduce weapons into the water all enemy contacts have a bearing to you.

They will procede (within seconds) to send weapons your way.

Layers means diddely poo, and beeing quiet after producing launch transients is futile.

Depending on how far away the enemy is, you might have to clear datum in a hurry, or you might have time to do it slowly, and maintain weapons control...

If you have time to consider keeping the wires to your weapons, move away with minimum use of rudder and planes (never more than 10 degrees) , and don't exeede a speed of 15 kts.

Aircraft (MPA) are lethal. If they have you pegged, they can deliver depth charge attacs with god like pressision.

If at any time you suspect they have you in their scopes, go deep, go flank, and when you hear them closing above, turn 90 degrees to avoid the depth charges. (do this until they are out of weapons).

Helos are mainly a threat when yo operate near the surface.

- Dolphin 38

[valenti_scott]

I'll keep these things in mind; thanks.

[The Inept European]

First time I played Presence of Wolves I was overwhelmed by the difficulty. I failed on multiple attempts. It is one of the 2-3 hardest scenarios I think.

I think rokvam / Dolphin38 is correct that it's due to having multiple underwater opponents. That is more dangerous than multiple surface opponents in this game. The only thing that is worse is a combined-arms enemy with surface, sub and air hunting for you.

Sub targets are the hardest for you to acquire and probably amongst the most lethal to you. As a simplification, if you're not careful in sub vs sub, you kill the first sub you see, and then all the other subs you didn't see, kill you.

Ideally you wait until you are tracking all enemy subs before you fire on any of them, and ideally you fire on all of them at the same time. Even if some of your shots are just to drive them onto the defensive, not to kill.

[valenti_scott]

Ah, good ideas.