Cant sink capital ships?

[bradshawja]

Hello everyone I am relatively inexperienced when it comes to SH4 but decided to play it recently. First couple of patrols with a Gar Class went well, sunk a destroyer and about 30000 tons. Last patrol I was around Japanese home waters, happened upon a large task force. Singled out a Maya Heavy cruiser, and hit it with 4 torpedoes. Lit up like a firecracker appeared to be sinking but just stayed there half submerged flaming. So I hit it with 6 more torpedoes and still the same thing. Anyone know what is happening? Ten direct torpedo hits and its still flaming and half submerged but wont sink.

[fireftr18]

Welcome aboard bradshawja! :salute: With a name like that, you can only be in charge of battle play by play. So dust off your mike and have at it.

There are several things we need to know. Are you playing stock? If so, what version? Or, are you playing modded? Are you using auto-targeting or manual targeting? Are you using realistic torpedoes?

Now for a general answer. It normally takes a lot of torps to sink a capital ship. I remember one time I emptied my entire supply trying to sink a heavy cruiser. You also need to make sure to target different parts of the ship. If you shoot in the same spot, you're just shooting at the hole, not making a new one.
:Kaleun_Periskop:

[merc4ulfate]

Simply depends on how the coding is for that particular vessel. It might be coded with an elite crew and damage control repair at some level to keep her from going down. Also your fish at that time were not as powerful as later in the war so the points damage while extensive may not have been enough to sink it. I have sunk capital ships with as few as two fish and with as many as 12.

[Armistead]

Can't remember if it's a stock issue, but something doesn't sound right. A CA should easily sink with 4 torps. Is it possible it was in shallow water and bottomed out?

Each ship has numerous damage zones. If you totally destroy a zone, 100% damage, it won't take any more damage. However, there is also splash damage that can spread to other zones. As stated, spread the damage out if possible along the length of the ship. Still, I think the ship bottomed out or you have a issue...Most CA's in the game will sink with a few torp hits.

[torpedobait]

I hate to give away a secret, but with the configuration I use (and I "cheat" using auto-targeting because I HATE math), one torpedo set about 8' up from the bottom of the target or 5' down from the water line (using the draft from the manual) aimed right under the main forward turret will explode the magazine and light up a CA (and many light cruisers) like a huge sparkler progressing from stem to stern. Sink or not, you will get credit for the kill. All CA's I've encountered have this weakness. Of course, if they are moving at high speed as they will when they are unescorted, it gets a bit dicier to hit a particular spot. But if you find one in port, give it a try. The fireworks are spectacular.
:D