Silent Service - Creeping Death scenario, hints?

[StellarRat]

Has anyone managed to win this one? I've tried everything I can think of and I always get detected by US ASW force. I've tried under the layer, over the layer, slow speed, medium speed, no periscope, etc... They always find me.

[Ancalagon451]

Inside the layer is the key, creep speed if you have the time, max no-cav if you don't, forget the periscope, you are hunting subs.

Also if you hear two or more active SB surrounding you; full stop until they start running out of battery.

Range detection against the Ohio is extremely short, no more than 20nm, you'll probably hear her escort first (anyone thought there wouldn't be one?) if you do, the boomer is near. Go to shallow depth, engage active sonar and go wild with SUBROCs.

If you do not receive the kill confirmation message search for her below the layer.

After the kill it's max no-cav inside the layer againg, keep it until you put something like 50nm from the kill point. Then creep all the way to the exit zone.

I was detected due to the active pinging but not identified (they where still searching for me at the kill zone when scenario ended), so I still got a major victory.

Ancalagon

[StellarRat]

Thanks for the good advice. I don't know why I didn't think/realize that you could travel within the layer. There is no radio button for that which could be part of the reason. I had to just set my depth with the slider instead. Anyway, I got MUCH further without being detected. I still lost on my first attempt, but I think I made a mistake somewhere with my speed. I'll try again tonight.

[StellarRat]

OK, I've won twice now. Once with SUBROCs and once with USET-85s. I also sunk two Los Angeles that got in the way as well, one in each win. I watched a video by a guy that goes by Jive Turkey. He said 50 feet below the layer is the best place to hide and he appears to know what he's talking about. He's made all kinds of videos about submarine warfare, good stuff. I recommend them.

[Ancalagon451]

Interesting, I've been repeadly hunted while going under the layer whenever I confront sonobuoys or TASS/VDS equipped ships, that's why I always go within the layer. But going at that exact depth It's some I've never tried, so I'll give it a try next try I play a sub centered scenario.

Glad to see you triumph, did you managed to do it fully undetected at either try?

Ancalagon

[StellarRat]

Just to be really clear: I moved the depth slider the top mark of the layer. That appears to be around 370 feet then added 50 ft. so I was cruising around at about 420 ft. most of the time. I was able to do about 20 knots in deep water that way without being found. Whenever a sonobuoy was dropped I went to full stop and waited until it went away. The other thing I did was to come to full stop occasionally and get the VLF messages and raise the UHF antenna just long enough to download the latest intel. That was very handy in fixing the position of the boomer. I just went my best guess intercept based on the intel reports and waited at 420 ft. dead stop until I heard it. Occasionally I'd rise above the layer and listen for while (zero speed always) then sink back below. The boomer pretty much drove right into my lap both times.

I was detected once and got away cleanly one other time. You do get points for sinking the Los Angeles's if that is necessary, but that will usually get you detected.