Why is everyone using torpedo speed at fast?

[MCM]

Hi,

in every video I see that everyone is using fast torpedo speed. But I read somewhere that with fast torpedo speed the chances are higher to have a dud. Is this true only for magnetic or for impact too?

What advantages has the fast torpedo speed? That the ships can't outrun them?

With e.g. middle speed I would have a lot more time to shoot some torpedos at a convoy and sneak away. Because they hit later I would have made more distance, would me more far away then with fast speed.

[THEBERBSTER]

Hi MCM
Logically you could say the faster the torpedo speed the less chance of the target being able to take avoiding action.
With the G7e type you only have a slow speed anyway, I always carry a few of these for daylight attacks and for attacking merchants in escorted convoys.
Other advantages with the slower speeds is setting up another target and having that extra bit of time to be able to move, or take up a better defensive position.
Peter

[Rockin Robbins]

With every shot you take there is an error envelope that can be expressed as an angle of a certain number of degrees.

There are some variables we have control of and some we do not. We can get closer and we can pick our torpedo speed. Let us suppose that our target is five degrees long. You can't slow him down.

But you can pick your torpedo speed. A faster torpedo, taking a shorter time to get to the target works exactly like decreasing the range to increase the accuracy of your shot. It makes your error envelope a small percentage of the length of the target instead of either a large fraction of the length or sometimes even longer than the length of the target. The fast torpedo is always the most accurate.

And the things said earlier about less time for the target to maneuver are also valid. Additionally, your most error tolerant shot is to shoot when you are perfectly abeam of your target (American analysis, don't use this information if you want to be historically plausible) with the torpedo striking the target at about a 110º to 120º torpedo track angle(that depends on target speed). Since your torpedo is approaching the target from slightly behind, the difference between fast and slow torpedoes is exxagerated.

[dashyr]

Personnally I do that because I dont want my target to dodge it. And since usually you attack from close range (<1500m usually) it is really worth it. The only reason id use slow speed is when I want to hit a target close right after shooting fast torpedoes at a target that is a bit farther. Mostly in an attempt to have them explode on target about at the same time. But those situation are rare for me.. Maybe less uncommon for experienced players.

[MCM]

AH ok I totally understood the explanation of Rockin Robbins, very nice!!! THX!

Does someone know if it is true that faster torpedos have more duds then slower ones? Or this only true for magnetic ones? And I read that electric torps are not as reliable as steam ones: Is this correlated to magnetics too or what is not so reliable? Because electrics are very usefull at daytimes like you guys said but noone uses them.

[GT182]

One advantage of a faster torpedo is to take out convoy Escorts. When they find you and come after you, once they're within 600 to 500 meters, you're "fast" speed torpedo set on magnetic and depth just below the Escort's keel will sink them 90% of the time.

Once you clear off the closest Escorts the convoy is easier to fire on. I usually load all the Steam torpedoes I can and only carry a couple of electric torpedoes in reserve.

As for Duds, I'd say part of that depends on your Game Options, and/or torpedo mods if you use any.

Steam torpedoes set to their lowest speed will give you the longest travel distance.

Magnetic and Impact are, in my thoughts, a crap shoot. I've found that either has the same chance to be a dud. Especially in the early war years.