Engagement tactics?

[SinStar87]

What's the best way to hit a pair of torpedo boats with the deck gun without getting sunk? I often come across this situation in the channel and don't want to waste torpedoes on them so I end up slinking by at depth avoiding engagement.

[Jimbuna]

Torpedo boats are fast and highly maneuverable and therefore hard to hit.

They aren't worth many renown points so it's usually best to submerge and wait till they move on.

[Dread Knot]

so I end up slinking by at depth avoiding engagement.

You just described the best tactic for engaging torpedo boats. :salute:

A submarine wasn't built for engaging MTBs any more than it was built for engaging shore batteries. However, like shore batteries MTBs have neither hydrophones, sonar or depth charges, so they can't touch you while submerged.

They're fast and nasty on the surface and often call in their friends to work in packs. They can decimate your crew and you don't get much renown for sinking one, so just avoid them altogether.

[SinStar87]

Yeah I know... Just sucks slinking away from such tiny pests.

[Dread Knot]

Yeah I know... Just sucks slinking away from such tiny pests.

I know the feeling. They're like little terriers of the sea that come out and yap and nip at you. When I play SH4, I'm somewhat thankful that the Japanese never bothered to build these annoying craft in any significant numbers.

[Brag]

Stay Aus der Kanal°

[PhantomLord]

Stay Aus der Kanal°

:woot:

damn, too slow... it was the first thing in my head when i read the initial post.

[the dark knight]

sometimes, especially the American PT boats in early 42, will be firing at you, but miss. If that is the case, I will let them close to around 1500m and put a shell in their bow by taking the deck gun over manually. They will either explode, or start sinking rapidly.

Personally, I avoid the channel when ever I can. I also am the only one on my boat that aims and fires the deck gun. The AI gunners are a bad joke.

[Rammstein0991]

I've never had any problems when I COULD engage them (too rough seas usually) but when I DO go after them with the deck gun (often when reloading torpedos) it usually takes 1 shot and they run with their tail between their legs, they dont get far though as I'm proud to say I'm a fairly good shot with the DG and almost always sink em.

:stare: you do NOT shoot holes in MY boot you silly english pig-dogs!:stare:

lol :har:

[SinStar87]

Really? Perhaps I'm shooting them wrong, last engagement with one, I hit it with 3 shells along the lower half of the hull there were scorch marks (holes?) from the windshield to the tail end and it still closed with me, made several passes with machine gun fire and killed my gun crew. It still didn't die so I dove and ran.

[Rammstein0991]

Probably some sort of RNG controlling their "decisions"

[the dark knight]

Really? Perhaps I'm shooting them wrong, last engagement with one, I hit it with 3 shells along the lower half of the hull there were scorch marks (holes?) from the windshield to the tail end and it still closed with me, made several passes with machine gun fire and killed my gun crew. It still didn't die so I dove and ran.

Yes, the scorch marks are supposed to represent holes. :salute:

Try hitting one on the bow just above the water line. Do not worry about hitting below the water line. The PT boats are plywood in the real world and are crammed with fuel and ammo. Hit the bow if it is headed head on at you, or hit under the command deck. There is an ammo bunker or a fuel bunker there that will make the things explode. And if you want a good laugh, ambush one while submerged and torpedo it. The explosion will send the pt boat flying through the air about 50 ft! :haha:

[SinStar87]

That sounds cool, they have what, a 1m draft? Torpedo default 5, can they run that shallow?

[Jimbuna]

Ingame yes.

[King_Zog]

Definitely not one for players who like to keep things realistic, but the AA armament works very well vs torpedo boats. (AA guns also work well against other types of small boats... fishing boats, motor launches, yachts etc...)

They can't take much punishment, especially if you've upgraded to a dual mount or better, and they seem to miss with their own guns a lot - at least in my experience. I keep my speed up, get in close and then shoot them as they circle, but better kill them quickly otherwise you'll start losing your deck crew.

I don't think I've ever managed to hit one with the deck gun, pretty hard when they are whizzing around you at 40kts, but I've always been a terrible shot with it anyway.

Probably still best to leave them alone though, I think if they spot you and if any of their aircraft or destroyer friends are nearby, they will alert them onto your last known position.

[Rammstein0991]

Definitely not one for players who like to keep things realistic, but the AA armament works very well vs torpedo boats. (AA guns also work well against other types of small boats... fishing boats, motor launches, yachts etc...)

They can't take much punishment, especially if you've upgraded to a dual mount or better, and they seem to miss with their own guns a lot - at least in my experience. I keep my speed up, get in close and then shoot them as they circle, but better kill them quickly otherwise you'll start losing your deck crew.

I don't think I've ever managed to hit one with the deck gun, pretty hard when they are whizzing around you at 40kts, but I've always been a terrible shot with it anyway.

Probably still best to leave them alone though, I think if they spot you and if any of their aircraft or destroyer friends are nearby, they will alert them onto your last known position.

Just a question of aiming where they WILL be is all.