Default setting for Torpedo pistol selector?

[Uboat-48]

Is it possible to change the default setting for my Torpedo pistol selector?
I'm probably using 90% Impact and maybe 10% Magnetic but my Torpedo pistol selector always defaults to Magnetic when selecting a tube!?
I would like to change it to Impact as default but I don't know if this can be done.

Just to clarify:

- Magnetic is only used for below the boat (below keel detonation), correct?
- Impact is used for side of the boat (fuel, engine, ammo, propulsion), correct?

Any examples where the above rules do not apply?

Thanks so much!

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by Uboat-48

Is it possible to change the default setting for my Torpedo pistol selector?
I'm probably using 90% Impact and maybe 10% Magnetic but my Torpedo pistol selector always defaults to Magnetic when selecting a tube!?
I would like to change it to Impact as default but I don't know if this can be done.

Just to clarify:

- Magnetic is only used for below the boat (below keel detonation), correct?
- Impact is used for side of the boat (fuel, engine, ammo, propulsion), correct?

Any examples where the above rules do not apply?

Thanks so much!

Don't know about changing the default game setting, but:

Impact pistols require a direct physical impact as their name implies, and the angle of impact is also a crucial factor. If they run too low in the water you risk them hitting the lower part of the ship where the hull curves inward towards the keel and they can glance off at a downward angle without detonating. Same thing with the angle at which they approach the target, which should be as close to 90 degrees as possible. Ideally, like this:

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It doesn't have to come in perfectly perpendicular to the target, but the farther off from that you get the less likely you are to get a clean impact and the more likely it is that the torpedo will glance off the side of the target without detonating.

Magnetic pistols do not require direct physical impact, they should be set off by the electromagnetic field generated by the target's hull and so only need to pass through it to be detonated (duds notwithstanding). However my understanding is that magnetic pistols can also be set off by a clean impact, or perhaps using one for an "impact" shot also puts it within the necessary E/M field and results in detonation. At any rate I've had magnetics that detonated both on contact and without contact while under the keel.

Some people here swear by magnetics, some people rarely use them and stick to impacts most of the time, some people use both but limit the use of magnetics during certain periods of the war for the sake of historical accuracy.

I have seen it said that in rougher weather magnetics can detonate prematurely before reaching the target, altho I've not had much trouble with this myself. Maybe it's because in really rough seas I don't mind putting one impact shot into a boat and waiting to see if the weather will do the rest of the work for me. But generally speaking, unless there's a very good reason *not* to choose a magnetic pistol, that's my first choice. More bang for the buck IMO.

[Uboat-48]

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation of the two types of pistols.
Much appreciated.

[frau kaleun]

You're very welcome!

Basically knowing which type of pistol you want is just knowing how each one works and what type of shot you are setting up, or what kind is available. One nice thing about the magnetic fuses is they are still an option when it's impossible or very difficult to get in the kind of position necessary for a good clean impact detonation. The angle is not so crucial, since they don't need a physical "hit" to make them work. I usually set them to run 1 meter below the keel, or even a bit higher if the seas are rough enough to make the target pitch up and down. If they run too far below they don't pass through the E/M field and you get nothing but IME even if they are high enough to hit the keel when they actually get to the target it doesn't matter since they're already passing through the E/M field and probably detonating before they actually hit it.

[GoDeep]

I use both magnetic and impact triggers, but I use them depending on the situation.

In bad weather, rough seas, I rarely set the torpedoes to magnetic trigger. I've had enough detonate prematurely that I now avoid it. Except when I'm really close to the target, between 500 and 800 metres, maybe. Then I sometimes run the risk of a premature detonation.

In good weather, I tend to use magnetics a lot, especially when I can't get a good angle on the target. Magnetics work better the longer they spent under the keel, so shooting them at a greater or smaller angle than 90 degrees works well because it takes them more time to travel underneath the target. I almost always set the running depth to a metre below the targets draught. This tends to work very well for me.

So bad weather: impact. Good weather and/or bad angle: magnetic.

[gt_magnus]

However my understanding is that magnetic pistols can also be set off by a clean impact, or perhaps using one for an "impact" shot also puts it within the necessary E/M field and results in detonation. At any rate I've had magnetics that detonated both on contact and without contact while under the keel.

When you set it to magnetic pistols it use both magnetic and impact pistols. When you set it to impact pistols it use just the impact pistols.

[BigRich]

In my experience, I find that one or two magnetic hits can cripple and on rare occasions even sink a battleship. I have also witnessed battleships/battlecruisers sail on after taking up to four contact hits (albeit with a heavy list). With magnetic pistols, a depth setting of one metre under keel depth usually succeeds, in heavy seas I set depth to around two metres under.
When targeting merchant ships, I tend to stick with contact pistols. The greater damage a magnetic hit inflicts outweighs the fact that most merchants don't survive two contact hits anyway.

[soopaman2]

This discussion kind of inspired this question.

Is there a particular situation you should use a differing detonation method? I am distrustful of magnetic because I do alot of my sinking in northish latitudes and am wary to how realistic the magnetic north pole screwing with torpedoes is simulated here.

[1480]

Originally Posted by soopaman2

This discussion kind of inspired this question.

Is there a particular situation you should use a differing detonation method? I am distrustful of magnetic because I do alot of my sinking in northish latitudes and am wary to how realistic the magnetic north pole screwing with torpedoes is simulated here.

You will get differing opinions from different Kaleuns. Magnetic pistol always for a down the throat shot at an charging escort. As Frau said above, trying to get as close to a 90-60 degree angle for an Impact pistol. A lesser AOB is where the Magnetic is better suited. Magnetic also comes in when attacking a convoy, ships of lesser importance usually get the outside picket positions, the juicier targets are on the inside. Their draft is usually a bit deeper than the lesser ships, bypassing those in hopes that the eels will bite the bigger targets.

Not sure if the magnetic's are as realistic in the Nord see as in real life. Cannot remember correctly if the cheerful psychopaths otherwise known as the GWX team messed with it or its hard coded.

[Sailor Steve]

We're much luckier than the real kaleuns were. They didn't have a switch that could give you one or the other. To change the torpedo warhead had to be physically removed and the pistos switch out. The operation took about an hour.

[Hinrich Schwab]

In my experience, mag pistols are really sensitive to heavy seas and are increasingly likely to detonate prematurely after a run of about 900 meters. Impact pistols are equally weird about the angle of impact. Ensuring a 90 degree Angle-on-Bow is extremely important. Mag pistols are best with short range shots and impact is best (from my observations) at long and extreme range. Even in calm waters, the longer the torpedo runs, the likelihood of a mag pistol misfire increases.

[andwii]

the thing I like about megs is they are fantastic in last ditch efforts to save your skin when a destroyer is comin right for you. The thing that sucks about T1's is they can somehow see the steam bubble wake a mile away even in rough seas and pitch black skies (figures) and they will avoid it, usually causing a miss or dud. It does not make much sense they would see it. Didnt otto get into the middle of convoys on the surface? if so then why can they see me so easy! lol

[Osmium Steele]

Otto went in decks awash.

Though, one time, fire his forward tubes, reloaded all 4 tubes, fired them, and brought his externally stored torpedos into the boat while in the middle of the convoy!

Betcha there was no moon that night.

[desirableroasted]

[QUOTE=andwii;1759915]the thing I like about megs is they are fantastic in last ditch efforts to save your skin when a destroyer is comin right for you. The thing that sucks about T1's is they can somehow see the steam bubble wake a mile away even in rough seas and pitch black skies (figures) and they will avoid it, usually causing a miss or dud. It does not make much sense they would see it/QUOTE]

But that is a different issue (T1 vs T2). Whether you are using stock or GWX makes a lot of difference here, too. In stock, if they see you, they might simply stop (or go to warp speed). In GWX, as far as I can tell, some basic rules of physics apply.

[Fish In The Water]

Originally Posted by Osmium Steele

Though, one time, fire his forward tubes, reloaded all 4 tubes, fired them, and brought his externally stored torpedos into the boat while in the middle of the convoy! .

Much like the thin line between genius and insanity, there's also a thin line between nerves of steel and foolhardiness. I guess the outcome determines which side of the line you were on.