Tactical Sonar [beta]

Tactical Sonar is a rework of the navigation terminal and sonar system, created for more atmospheric, informative, and tactical submarine control.

The mod replaces the standard sonar interface with a new screen featuring improved visualization, different pulse modes, a spectrogram, a mineral scanner, an updated docking system, new sounds, and multiplayer support.

This is not just a new visual style. Tactical Sonar changes the feeling of control: active sonar now looks and sounds like a proper detection system, rather than just a green circle on the screen.

Attention! This mod is in the beta state and will be constantly updated. It utilises a lot of game's mechanics and thus can sometimes lead to bugs, performance issues and other errors. If you find any, please report them!

This mod requires LuaCsForBarotrauma, otherwise it will not work. Don't forget to activate LuaCsForBarotrauma and set C# in the Lua settings to "Enabled" (check the Lua mod description how to do it).

Main Features

• Completely reworked navigation terminal interface.
• New main sonar screen with improved visualization of the seabed, walls, objects, creatures, and explosions.
• New spectrogram for analyzing the environment and minerals.
• Mineral scanner with categorized mineral detection.
• Several active sonar modes: short pulse, long pulse, and frequency-modulated mode.
• Support for directional and omnidirectional emission.
• Automatic sonar with switchable intervals.
• Improved explosion visualization on the sonar screen.
• Updated docking system with separate button states.
• New sonar ping sounds.
• Support for submarine control through the new terminal.
• Bot and multiplayer support.
• Compatibility with the Real Sonar mod; this part is still not fully finished.

Sonar Modes

Short Pulse

A quick single signal for briefly scanning the surrounding area. Useful for cautious navigation when you need information without keeping active emission constantly enabled.

Long Pulse

A stronger and longer signal. Better suited for long-range detection, finding passages, reading the shape of the seabed, and tracking large objects.

Frequency-Modulated Mode

A special scanning mode that creates a more complex image on the screen and spectrogram. Designed for more careful environmental analysis.

Mod priority

Place this mod above Real Sonar mod or any other mod that overrides sonar logic or navigation terminals.

Spectrogram

Tactical Sonar adds a separate spectrogram that visually displays activity and signals from the surrounding environment.

It helps distinguish ordinary noise, dense objects, active sources, suspicious signals, and minerals. It is not required for basic control, but it adds more depth for captains who prefer reading the screen instead of simply watching markers.

Mineral Scanner

The mod adds improved mineral display and separates detected minerals into categories:

• Metals
• Non-metals
• Radioactive materials
• Anomalous materials

Minerals are displayed on the sonar and spectrogram in a more informative way, making mining missions easier and clearer.

Warning

The mod contains bright flashes, active visual effects, and loud sonar sounds.

If you are sensitive to flashing lights, sudden sounds, or high-frequency signals, use this mod with caution!

Credits

Thanks to the users "КАТИОН", "Huskich" on Russian Barotrauma discord server and everyone who tested the mod, reported bugs, and helped bring the system to a working state.

Special thanks to the creators of Real Sonar for the inspiration and for one of the most atmospheric approaches to active sonar in Barotrauma.

Tactical Sonar Discord server - https://discord.gg/KK3KqFPGEW

Support

If you want to support me or simply say thanks here: https://ko-fi.com/endeavourxj / https://boosty.to/endeavourxj