Realism question: Auto or manual targeting?

[jimmyjam25]

I see a lot of discussion on here about people trying to make their gameplay as realistic as possible. I saw a post on here once and someone was saying they think its unrealistic to man the deck gun or flak gun yourself as the Kaleun would never have done so. In that case wouldn't auto targeting be more realistic as the Kaleun would never have been inputting the data into the TDC but telling someone else to do it... Hope I made sense. What do you guys think?

[Mittelwaechter]

You can't order some crew or officer to input YOUR data collection into the TDC, so you have to do it yourself, but you can order your crew to work the deckgun.

[palatum]

It depends on how YOU like to play. If you find it interesting and challenging to calculate the necessary data for the TDC, then that's what you do. If not, let the crew do it for you.

My take is that you may choose to play multiple roles in the sub, not only the Kaleun. You are also the navigator, weapons officer, quartemaster etc, and can do parts of their jobs as well

-Palatum

[Sailor Steve]

Yes and no. In reality the captain has a crew to help with all the work to be done. Unfortunately auto targeting is perfect, which is something no human ever is. I have mine set to Manual Targeting, but use Weapons Officer Assitance for regular updates. The WE is also perfect, but his solutions are only good for that moment and must be updated regularly. This in turn means raising the periscope more often, which gives the enemy a better chance, which to me feels better. I also use the Assisted Plotting Mod http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1328, which allows only the targeted ship on the map.

[Vince82]

Would not even want to play the game with auto targeting on. I like the challenge and it's just great if you manage to sink a ship doing the calculations/guesswork yourself. Don't know what weapon officer assistance is and I'm not even interested in knowing that to be honest.

[Sailor Steve]

That's cool, but then why mention it at all? :sunny:

[u crank]

I have been playing SH3 on and off since it was released, but have only started manual targeting in the last few months. I'm using OLC's GUI 1.2.7 which I really like. For an old guy like me it wasn't easy to learn but I was determined to up the realism and this was one sure fire way. OLC.s video tutorial was a great help and I spent a lot of time in the training mission but I finally got it. I am also using the Assisted Plotting Mod Steve mentioned. That really ups it some more. Both force you to use your scope as much as a real skipper would.

Of course the real key in realism is your imagination, but I gotta say all the great mods available at Subsim have made my enjoyment of this sim better than ever. And there's still more I will eventually try. It's all good.

Good hunting mates. :salute:

[jimmyjam25]

Is the video tutorial on youtube?

[Captain Nemo]

I'm with Sailor Steve on this one. I also use Weapons Officer Assistance I find this the best method for me. Having said that, if you like doing all the calculations yourself that manual targeting requires, then I take my hat off to you. For me it's all down to what makes the game enjoyable for the individual.

Nemo

[u crank]

Is the video tutorial on youtube?

Hi jimmy. I couldn't find it on youtube but it is included in the download.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1616

There are separate files for the video and a quick reference guide if you want to check them out. There are two videos, the short one is an update for the Gold version. Hope this helps.

Good hunting. :salute:

[jimmyjam25]

Thanks fellas. Good to hear some different opinions. Gonna give it a go.

[Platapus]

Then there is the issue of associating "realistic" with a video game.

Nothing we do playing a video game is realistic when compared to what actually happened.

SH3 is a game and as such should be played as the player desires.

If playing the game with manual targeting entertains you, gopher it. If playing the game with auto targeting entertains you, gopher it also.

[Rudolph Schnappes]

A real u-boat commander would probably use a mix of both inputting targetting himself and delegating those duties to an officer in certain conditions, as far as AA and deck guns, one could also reasonably assume that in certain conditions the commander would be present on deck, giving very specific instructions to the gunners where and when to fire(more than you can achieve with the sh3 interface), and under different conditions would delegate the task to an officer.