Manual Targeting

[capt_frank]

I posted a new discussion over at UBI regarding the above and a recommended MOD. See it here:

http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/t...5/m/2631066785

Sure would appreciate some input from yous folks!

[Rockin Robbins]

We already have the WO identify target function activated in Trigger Maru, or you can do it yourself by modifying the command.cfg file. With patch 1.3 we have the auto-calc speed and course function which auto-updates the TDC. Of course you need two accurate range and bearing sights to do that. It seems to me that's a lot of help. It means no timing positions for speed, no AOB estimations, no ship identification.

If you want even less than that I'd recommend just turning off manual targeting. Am I missing something?

[capt_frank]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

We already have the WO identify target function activated in Trigger Maru, or you can do it yourself by modifying the command.cfg file. With patch 1.3 we have the auto-calc speed and course function which auto-updates the TDC. Of course you need two accurate range and bearing sights to do that. It seems to me that's a lot of help. It means no timing positions for speed, no AOB estimations, no ship identification.

Getting there.

Then is there a way to MOD the Weapons Officer to provide the "two accurate range and bearing sights" so that the TDC can be updated? That might be it.

Again, as Captain of this (fill in the blank) vessel, I want to be responsible for all war functions, position the sub within striking distance of the target and then allow the Weapons Officer to then earn his staples and "stripes", i.e., to finish the sub's positioning so that a "kill" is feasible.

That's what I'm alluding too.

[odjig292]

I've agreed with your suggestion over at Ubi. I'm new to SH4 and manual targeting but I'm finding it tough to stay alive. I'm still on the Quick Missions and vanilla 1.3 getting practice against destroyers. I find that if I'm targeting the Yamato or a tanker and spot a DD heading for me at 20 knots, I don't have time to change all the settings for a "snap shot" before it has run over me. I've been told that I should hit the crash dive and hard rudder keys, get out of there and go after the DD later.

I'm suggesting that it should be easier to get off a snap shot. There needs to be a simple key push (or mouse click) that transfers the bearing from the periscope to the TDC, resets TDC ship speed to zero, sets one torpedo to FAST, CONTACT and SHALLOW, opens the doors and fires it down that bearing. O'Kane and Morton could do that in RL because they had a crew that did the work for them. If some modder can give us that, I (and I'm sure that hundreds of other people) will be eternally grateful.

[capt_frank]

Another dileage for why there should be a definate division between the Captain and Weapons Officer's roles...

Modder's?

Can IT be done?

[Rockin Robbins]

Pretty much, that is already done. Your default setting, which you should set the TDC to after every shot is to return the speed to zero. That eliminates the necessity to have a special function for that.

The contact switch in either position will explode the torpedo on impact, and if you have one that is defective and runs deep the magnetic exploder might just save your behind. Torpedo speed should already be set in advance for fast. I do that before I am ever in a combat situation.

So all that stuff can be done long before you get that DD snarling toward you at 20 or 30 knots and you with your pants down around your knees.

Now, the piece de resistance, the "point and shoot" button. It's already there, but not documented! Assuming that you have the above stuff already preloaded into the TDC at your leisure, a simple press of the red "send range/bearing" button without even touching the stadimeter will set the bearing for the torpedo at any bearing the scope is pointed to.

Even with point and shoot, a down the throat shot at an elite destroyer is a chancy one. I shot a 1º spread of three torps at a charging elite and he danced around all three casually and didn't even hesitate in his attack. Evasion saved my tail.

I'm not a big fan of the go deep strategy any more. I've had great success at staying at periscope depth and evading. You retain the initiative to try the one shot that works most of the time vs elites. That is the up the poop chute shot. You'll find they charge overhead at high speed, drop their love notes and then let off the throttle and hesitate for a minute after the run. So you let them attack, evade at periscope depth, up scope and tag em at the end of their run. It at least doubles your chance for a hit.

Good luck! HAVE FUN!