Most accurate Targeting method?

[CassiousClay]

Originally Posted by Drakken

Are you playing with map contacts update on? I'd advise that you practice with these on first to learn the basics. There's no shame in baby steps. Another advantage of playing with map updates on is that you can actually see the target and the torpedo's projected course on the attack map.

When you feel comfortable and reliably sink targets with updates on, then you can then turn those off.

1. Speed: The cornerstone of any firing solution. Unless you're spotted or she starts zig-zagging, it is the only data point that remains constant throughout the attack. Practice by using the map to mark the target's distance travelled in 3:15 minutes, and compare with other speed acquisition methods as you practice. I used to check the speed 2-3 times with different methods, but the constant bearing method and matching the target's course and speed are the historical ones (and quite easy to learn).

2. AOB: Trace the target's course on the map with the protractor, then create an angle from his middle to your bow. That's the AOB. Eyeball it, practice with the Attack disk to match both your and her course, her bearing, and the AOB. You could also use also a visual chart to eyeball and compare with the target's angle. Keep in mind that sharper the AOB is, the easier it is to eyeball; example, it is much easier to distinguish a 10- from a 20-degree AOB than a 60- from a 75-degree AOB.

3. Range: Measure range with a ruler on the map, then practice either with the stadimeter or, if you can use it, learn to handle the RAOBF with the tick marks. It may look complicated at first, but when you get the basics it becomes very easy to use. The shortest the range you fire from, the more error-tolerant your solution will be.

The ideal firing solution is, while keeping stealth, striving to fire from the shortest range possible (but never under 300 meters), at the lowest gyroangle possible (ideally 0 gyroangle from your bow), when the target offers itself the broadest (so 75-90 degrees AOB). This is not always possible and, sometimes, you may have to plot a firing solution from guestimates or positions that are not ideal. However, the more comfortable you will become the more informed your guesses will be in a pinch.

My point is, there is no single "most accurate targeting method". In time, you will acquire different methods in your toolset that you may use to acquire the data needed to fire and hit your target, dependent on the situation.

Thank you very much for this! Yes, I have map updates and all the map options on. The font of coordinates are too dim of a color for me to read so I have the tactical map option on although I'm clueless what the difference is other than one adds coordinates to the grid (that I can't see so they're frustrating and useless to have on anyway).

I've asked several times on several resources how to modify text colors and sizes in the game and am honestly frustrated that none of them have gotten even an "I don't know if there is a way to do that." reply.

Questions, if you'd please be kind enough to answer:

1. Why 3 minutes 15 seconds? For me that's a bit long of a period of time to wait. Is there some reason, besides the multiplier being a lot easier (10), that 3:15 is more accurate? I've been using the chart and 1 minute to figure out speed. Is there a fault in doing it with 1 minute?


2. The attack disk and RAOBF is the most confusing thing for me as of now, and still (I've only played 6 hours. I'll probably get it eventually.) I've been getting AOB with the protractor starting on my ship, drawing the first line to the target ship, then drawing the angle line straight off the target ship's bow center point and dragging the angle line out past my ship's path.
To get a 90° attack position I've then been using the protractor over the angle line again and drawing the angle line at a 90 to my ship, then plotting a course to that line so when I get there I'm really close to 90° from the target ship's side. If I'm not dead on a 90 by the time I get there I don't have to wait long until TDC zeros out (target lock and follow). I fire when TDC gyroangle and the other dial next to it zeros.
The times I've been successful in practicing it that's how I did it.
Is there an advantage to the way you explained to do it vs this way?


3. I don't know what the stadimeter is or where it is in the game to even consider using it. And as I said the attack disk and RAOBF (the dial thing in the periscope???) is waaaayyyyyyy beyond my understanding at this point. I am 100% clueless as to what either of those 3 things even do. I've watched videos on the attack disk and RAOBF and the videos confused me more because one person says this another person that posts a tutorial on it says that. Which is it???


Yeah. What I've been doing is a lot of guessing, trial and (mostly haha) error. I understand that's the most efficient and definitely not the best way to do targeting and course plotting but it's all I'm able to do.