Hints for Torpedo Strategy

Karl von Muller · 03-12-09, 11:18 AM

I have been ignoring the triangle for the reason that its position does not seem to vary for different ship types. For example a tanker's engines and fuel are aft, but a large freighter's are amidships. The triangle does not seem to care.

How does one "get rid of it"? Switch to manual targeting?

Otto Heinzmeir · 03-12-09, 11:59 AM

For freighters I like to aim at the stack. If you hit the stack, you will kill the engines, if you miss slightly forward you hit the fuel cell. If you miss slightly aft you will cause the engine compartment to flood and this will eventually kill the engines as well. For tankers I aim at the cabin for the same reasons. I used to split some medium cargos and tankers in two with a center placed magnetic in the stock game. But in GXW havn't split a ship yet with one torp, which is probably more realistic.

kdv · 03-13-09, 09:33 AM

I have managed to split a few with GWX3, mostly medium cargo's - and only with the magnetic exploding under their keel. Never seems to work with impacting the hull.

The 'lock' always goes to the center of the ship, which as stated above isn't the best spot to hit.

I go for engines, it's a no brainer - it's under the stack. Gauging where the fuel tanks are isn't as easy.

TheDudTorpedo · 03-13-09, 10:04 AM

Thanks for all the helpful hints guys

Tonight I had the chance to test the bow-shot theory. I was being chased (again!) by a V&W destroyer off the west coast of Ireland. I fired a stern torpedo at a magnetic setting 1m below her keel - I was a bit worried I hadn't selected a decent depth setting because the sea was very rough. Anyway, the V&W is steaming in at 15 knots and the torpedo actually impacts right on her prow as she dips into a wave! Well...she tried to dive just like my U-boat.....have a gander at these

On her way down....

It's all over....

The right bow-shot certainly delivers the goods. I love this game

Puster Bill · 03-13-09, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl von Muller

I have been ignoring the triangle for the reason that its position does not seem to vary for different ship types. For example a tanker's engines and fuel are aft, but a large freighter's are amidships. The triangle does not seem to care.

How does one "get rid of it"? Switch to manual targeting?

Yes.

When you go to full manual targeting, it will disappear.

You could also try manual targeting with WO assistance, I think it disappears then also (but I'm not sure).

Sharkley · 03-13-09, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puster Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl von Muller

I have been ignoring the triangle for the reason that its position does not seem to vary for different ship types. For example a tanker's engines and fuel are aft, but a large freighter's are amidships. The triangle does not seem to care.

How does one "get rid of it"? Switch to manual targeting?

Yes.

When you go to full manual targeting, it will disappear.

You could also try manual targeting with WO assistance, I think it disappears then also (but I'm not sure).

I would love to see more detail on this from those who have tried it. I want to be as "real" as possible but still have a crew that "works" I am not at the stage yet where I want to go full manual but I want to feel the next step of realism soon..

Henry Wood · 03-13-09, 01:56 PM

About the green triangle - I always understood it to be a guide as to how succesful your shot was likely to be and if not locked you could aim your shot using the crosshairs in the attack scope. I used to use it like that when starting out, no lock on the target and when the triangle turned green it meant I was just about certain of a succesful hit, then I'd move the crosshairs to the engine room, bow, midships or where I wanted the torpedo to strike. It always seemed to work.

Threesixtyci · 03-13-09, 03:54 PM

The three times I tried shots underneath the keel, relying on magnitics. All 3 times the torpedo sailed right under the targeted ship and just kept on going....
I guess, under keel shots just don't work when you are perpendicular, or near perpendicular, to the target....

Anyway... it's caused me to not even attempt setting torps to run below drafts, anymore.

Cool pic though... too bad, SH3 doesn't simulate bending metal. Would have been cool to see it break in half with that much stress.

Bosje · 03-13-09, 07:10 PM

yes, magnetic pistol can easily fail to explode if the torpedo runs at 90 degrees under a slender hull, which is why you will want to learn the various tactics at your disposal. magnetic is great when you are forced to shoot at, say, 30 degrees AOB. because the torpedo will spend a lot more time underneath the hull.

'critical' points besides the already mentioned engine room are: masts (specially forward) and guns. i sometimes get the huge secondary explosions and sinking because i got a torpedo in the ammo bunker for some gun (once took out an auxiliary cruiser with one impact shot right under her fore gun platforms. it made my graphics card go all laggy

WO assistance is a good way to upgrade your realism, you can start doing the calculations and 'check' them against your officer's solution

good luck

Threesixtyci · 03-14-09, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosje

WO assistance is a good way to upgrade your realism, you can start doing the calculations and 'check' them against your officer's solution

However.... you'll likely fall into that trap of not checking how close you were to the solution, because you'll likely quit trying to remember how close your calculations are from the AI's.

03-13-09, 07:10 PM	#9
Bosje Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 732 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 0	yes, magnetic pistol can easily fail to explode if the torpedo runs at 90 degrees under a slender hull, which is why you will want to learn the various tactics at your disposal. magnetic is great when you are forced to shoot at, say, 30 degrees AOB. because the torpedo will spend a lot more time underneath the hull. 'critical' points besides the already mentioned engine room are: masts (specially forward) and guns. i sometimes get the huge secondary explosions and sinking because i got a torpedo in the ammo bunker for some gun (once took out an auxiliary cruiser with one impact shot right under her fore gun platforms. it made my graphics card go all laggy WO assistance is a good way to upgrade your realism, you can start doing the calculations and 'check' them against your officer's solution good luck __________________ And when an 800-ton Uboat has you by the tits... you listen!

03-12-09, 11:18 AM	#1
Karl von Muller Swabbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 5 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have been ignoring the triangle for the reason that its position does not seem to vary for different ship types. For example a tanker's engines and fuel are aft, but a large freighter's are amidships. The triangle does not seem to care. How does one "get rid of it"? Switch to manual targeting?

03-12-09, 11:59 AM	#2
Otto Heinzmeir Weps Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wilhelmshaven Local Pub Posts: 361 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	For freighters I like to aim at the stack. If you hit the stack, you will kill the engines, if you miss slightly forward you hit the fuel cell. If you miss slightly aft you will cause the engine compartment to flood and this will eventually kill the engines as well. For tankers I aim at the cabin for the same reasons. I used to split some medium cargos and tankers in two with a center placed magnetic in the stock game. But in GXW havn't split a ship yet with one torp, which is probably more realistic.

03-13-09, 09:33 AM	#3
kdv Loader Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 85 Downloads: 37 Uploads: 0	I have managed to split a few with GWX3, mostly medium cargo's - and only with the magnetic exploding under their keel. Never seems to work with impacting the hull. The 'lock' always goes to the center of the ship, which as stated above isn't the best spot to hit. I go for engines, it's a no brainer - it's under the stack. Gauging where the fuel tanks are isn't as easy.

03-13-09, 10:04 AM	#4
TheDudTorpedo Machinist's Mate Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 128 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	Thanks for all the helpful hints guys Tonight I had the chance to test the bow-shot theory. I was being chased (again!) by a V&W destroyer off the west coast of Ireland. I fired a stern torpedo at a magnetic setting 1m below her keel - I was a bit worried I hadn't selected a decent depth setting because the sea was very rough. Anyway, the V&W is steaming in at 15 knots and the torpedo actually impacts right on her prow as she dips into a wave! Well...she tried to dive just like my U-boat.....have a gander at these On her way down.... It's all over.... The right bow-shot certainly delivers the goods. I love this game

03-13-09, 01:56 PM	#7
Henry Wood Sparky Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK Posts: 150 Downloads: 57 Uploads: 0	About the green triangle - I always understood it to be a guide as to how succesful your shot was likely to be and if not locked you could aim your shot using the crosshairs in the attack scope. I used to use it like that when starting out, no lock on the target and when the triangle turned green it meant I was just about certain of a succesful hit, then I'd move the crosshairs to the engine room, bow, midships or where I wanted the torpedo to strike. It always seemed to work.

03-13-09, 03:54 PM	#8
Threesixtyci Torpedoman Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: CC, Texas Posts: 114 Downloads: 20 Uploads: 0	The three times I tried shots underneath the keel, relying on magnitics. All 3 times the torpedo sailed right under the targeted ship and just kept on going.... I guess, under keel shots just don't work when you are perpendicular, or near perpendicular, to the target.... Anyway... it's caused me to not even attempt setting torps to run below drafts, anymore. Cool pic though... too bad, SH3 doesn't simulate bending metal. Would have been cool to see it break in half with that much stress.