Alright you Wiz Manual Targeting Kids!

[Syxx_Killer]

Rockin Robbins posted a great video here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...83&postcount=8

It answered all my questions and helped a ton!

[Sailor Steve]

Actually most of them do an excellent job of explaining it. Just because you don't get it...

I can say that because I don't either.:rotfl:

But most people do, so they must understand something we don't. I understand that the math involved was one of the great separators; a lot of officers ended up on surface ships because they never could get it right.

Download and watch OLC's video tutorial for his SH3 version. It may not help, but it's very intertaining.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Many, many ... "Thank you's" to you Midnight Hunter and to you Syxx Killer! Did I say "Thank You?"

Holy Smoke ! For a guy with 14,000 posts [almost], I always assumed you were one of those Wiz Kids and had this down to a science!

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Actually most of them do an excellent job of explaining it. Just because you don't get it...

I can say that because I don't either.:rotfl:

Today, Saturday, spouse has to work a 8-hour shift. Looks like I get a 8-hour tutorial lesson with me, myself, and I.

I was thinking of using one or more of the training sessions to teach myself manual targeting before accepting a mission. I have been playing at 72% - 77% realism ever since the day the game came out [13 months?]. Just got mad at myself and said to myself "How can you be that stupid? Other people get it; why not you". I have tried 2-3 miserable tries, but this time I have made up my mind to "get it - once and for all".

Looking forward to playing on 100% Realism from now on!

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction with these video clips - sure beats all that darn reading. :p

[Rockin Robbins]

For myself, I can and will do a lot better than that but I've had other irons in other fires, and another graphics card meltdown to deal with. I also like to set up with an unmodded game for tutorials, which means that I will be doing TMO and RFB tutorials as well. Unfortunately, the tutorial you watched shows a setup for a Dick O'Kane attack. I'm glad it helped though! Guess I'll have to get back to work.

I am also deep in the throes of an Operation Monsun U-Boat patrol and having too much fun with that. The Type IX sure makes you love your Fleet Boat! Once I'm on top of that situation I'll be eventually producing videos of U-Boat targeting procedures as well.

[gumbeau]

I have few missions I wrote in conjunction with a PDF guide that takes you through my method step by step. It is meant to be used together. If you are interested drop me a PM.

I use a variant of Dick O'kanes zero gyro method that doesn't require setting the TDC at all or identifying anything.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

Unfortunately, the tutorial you watched shows a setup for a Dick O'Kane attack. I'm glad it helped though! Guess I'll have to get back to work.

Well, believe it or not, that Dick O'Kane tutorial has help me the most!

Watched it 5-6 times between Saturday chores - we degress - replaced the mailbox that rusted out. Thing was 35 years old. Nuts and bolts rusted on. Thank God for mankinds best tool invented - Dremmel Drill using a Tungsten bit. Had them 4 bolts off in 20 minutes and the new mailbox on within 5 minutes.

Got distracted with changing the water on this old hobby of mine. It is been up and running for 10 days now:

http://learnabit.homeserver.com/fishtank

Here is my Microsoft Home Server that you just connected to that lets me do these things:

http://learnabit.homeserver.com/LaBserver

BACK ON TOPIC ......

I have written up paper notes on the Dick O'Kane method and tried using the Training Mission 3 - Torpedoe Attack. Things seem to happen WAY TOO FAST trying manual targetting on the Jap Cruiser. Also after 3 failed tries it seems like it is on a zig-zag course which makes it even harder for a first timer. I gave up on it.

I have decided to use the Training Mission 4 - Convoy Attack as my training ground for Manual Targeting. Seems more like a level playing ground for a first timer with this stuff. My only gripe is it seems like a lot of work to do in such a short amount of time.

Looking forward to what you come up with, Rockin Robbins, when things settle down for you.

So many women ... so little time, egh?

[jfarrow]

I was in the same boat about 2 weeks ago. Have been playing with auto targeting for all of SH3 and up until now in SH4. Mainly avoided it because I thought it would take too much time and make the game feel like more work than fun. After my 7th patrol the game just started to feel too easy so I finally decided to give it a shot. I just completed my 8th on manual and now I'll never do auto again. Much more satisfaction from manual. Would feel like cheating if I went back to auto.

I find that more than 90% of the time I'm using the Dick O'Kane attack method. Was a natural transition for me since I always tried to get a 90 degree angle even on auto. I surprised myself when I managed to sink 2 & damage one using this method for a convoy attack. Thanks to Rockin Robbins for the excellent tutorial I learned it from:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...6&postcount=67

A couple more patrols and I think I may be ready for Trigger Maru.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Originally Posted by jfarrow

I find that more than 90% of the time I'm using the Dick O'Kane attack method. Was a natural transition for me since I always tried to get a 90 degree angle even on auto.

I, too, have been a Dick O' Kane method fan @90 in auto, FIRE!

Good News !!!!!!

I got this manual targeting down straight after 3-4 tries. I used the Training School to work out the basics.

MY FIRST REAL TRY:
Then I used my last saved game as a testing ground. Made an approach to an escorted convoy. Lined things up and FIRED two fish! Lowered the scope.

Within 20 seconds, BOOM - Torpedeo Impact, another 5 seconds - BOOM! Had external camera and event camera OFF. Raised the scope - was saying to self - "what was that? Them fish should have take 90 seconds to get to the target".

Looked in the scope, WTF? I was not aiming at that - an escort - Sinking fast - she raised herself perfectly up & down going down stern first real fast. My intended target, a freighter got off Scott Free. Fired two more at the freighter. Same thing Boom!, Boom, - Target destoyed! WTF!!! Sunk yet another escort. Man something is wrong. I am hitting stuff ... but not at the target I intended.

So back to the drawing board. Watched one more time this:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...83&postcount=8

Then it dawns on me. I have been setting the AOB WRONG!!!! Not the number [or degrees] ... the idiot here [me] was setting the Port vs Starboard the opposite of what it should be!!! What a dip stick! I got it right now.

If you are shy, about asking questions on how to determine AOB, this flick:
http://files.filefront.com/SH4+Fleet.../fileinfo.html

took the hardest thing to understand and made it SO SIMPLE!!!

Today ALONE, I have sunk one 20-ton cruiser and 3 freighters on my first maunual targeting only patrol. Right now I am cheating - SORRY. Got the event camera and external cameras on so I can see what mistakes I am making.

Bottom line:
Auto Targetting is for girls.

Finally understanding this has put a new and exciting dimension to this game.

I just downloaded the GWX 2.1 update, gonna switch to manual targeting in that game too!

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Monica Lewinsky

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction with these video clips - sure beats all that darn reading. :p

I think that's the true advantage of classroom instruction: you read the books and then you have a guy who knows his stuff explain it for you; plus you can ask him questions in real time, while you play with models of the real thing.

@ jfarrow: WELCOME ABOARD!