Some torpedo help here

[BROJD]

I've searched and can't find it, but is there a good guide out there about firing torpedoes (I'm not using manual entry) -- what depths are good in what situations, how to minimize duds, when to use magnetic versus impact, different spread angles for spreads?

Vielen dank!

[GoldenRivet]

MAGNETIC TORPEDOES:

The purpose of magnetic torpedoes is to cause a massive explosion below the keel of the ship without ever actually striking the ship's hull. The idea is that the creation of a sudden "void" beneath the ships keel will cause the ship to crack in half, or cause a greater amount of damage than an impact detonation.

To properly use a magnetic torpedo you must first determine the "DRAFT" of the target ship. the Draft of the ship is basically how deep the ship sticks down beneath the water. Look in the SHIP IDENTIFICATION BOOK in the periscope view. each ship class will have a listed "draft" for example "DRAFT: 9.9 METERS"

Next you will want to set your torpedo running depth to approximately 1 to 1.5 meters DEEPER than the target draft. so if your target draft is 9.9 meters... set the running depth to about 11 - 11.5 meters.

Hopefully the resulting explosion below the ship will crack the ship in half or cause a great deal of damage.

WHEN TO NOT USE MAGNETIC SETTINGS:

Early in the war particularly. It is possible that the magnetic firing mechanism will fail. also you should attempt to avoid firing magnetic torpedoes at small ships as they mey not be large enough to activate the magnetic pistol and the torpedo will pass harmlessly beneath the ship. Also be aware that the magnetic pistols will be sensative to northern lattitudes and the magnetic field of the earth causing premature detonation.

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IMPACT TORPEDOES:

Impact torpedoes are meant to slam into the hull of a target ship and activate the explosive warhead via contact with the ships hull. Initially impact torpedoes will be more relaibale than magnetic torpedoes.

to minimize the risk of failure of the impact pistol you should always try to fire at a ship at a 90 degree angle. the shallower the angle at which the torpedos strikes the hull of the target the greater the chance that it will just bounce off.

for example:

GOOD ANGLE

ship

[]
[]
[]<------torpedo path 90 degrees---------
[]
[]

Remember - the longer a torpedo is running in the water the greater the odds that it will eventually fail. so if you take a shot at a ship 3000 meters away, dont be surprised if the torpedo detonates prematurely or stops running altogether.

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FIRING WITH A SPREAD:

Spread shots should only be used when you are firing at a maneuvering ship such as a zig-zagging destroyer closing in on you. OR when you are in close proximity to a ship which requires a large number of hits like a battleship.

the good thing about firing a spread angle is that you increas your odds of hitting something.

the bad thing about firing a spread angle is that the torpedoes get further and further apart from one another as they travel so firing a large spread angle at a battleship 2500 meters away from you - every torpedoe in the spread might pass him astern and ahead of the target and you just wasted 2, 3 or 4 torpedoes!

the best strategy when dealing with a spread is to keep the spread angle at 0 to 3 degrees and only use a spread when you are in doubt of scoring a hit, OR if you are close to a target that requires multiple hits ti ensure a sinking.

[Ryan9118]

Magnetic torps will also resort to impact detonation, IF the magnetic cap doesn't work, correct?

And to think I've been firing all my magnetic torps at 4-5m depth at C2 and C3 cargo ships.... :oops:

[Redshirt]

Yep even when set to magnetic the impact trigger is still active

[abel29a]

Also, as opposed to using impact triggers, it is beneficial for magnetic trigger shots to be offsett from the 90 degree angle, as the longer the torpedo is travelling under the hull, the better chance of a detonation.

[Mush Martin]

In US torpedos it was advantageous to use offset angles with impact
triggers as well as a perpendicular impact tended to jam the firning pin
in the exploder. these difficulties I think were not unique to the USN,
both magnetic and impact exploder issues were had by most navies but the issue lingered in the USN where it was dealt with more quickly in German and British and Japanese navies.

[BROJD]

What about torpedo speeds?

Assuming I'm within range, is there any reason not to use the FASTEST speed?

[antikristuseke]

Well unless you are taking your shot from more than 5000m away there is no reason not to use fast, as far as i can tell. Besides when using manual entry it would be bloody difficult to pull off a shot from 10000m

[looney]

Huh? As far as I know, you should always use the fastest speed possible, only exception is convoy attack where you want to hit multiple targets at approximately same times.

I use the fastest speed cause when the enemy is zigzagging it has less time to make evasive manouvres.