How to intercept?

[Zosimus]

Originally Posted by maillemaker

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadimeter

There are markings inside the periscope that allow you to determine range to the target based on the apparent height of the masts of the target - if you know the height of the masts.

I've got custom optics (Hitman) so I don't even know if they work for me. Anyway there are so many ships in the recognition manual for GWX I don't bother trying to hunt them down to find their specs.

I just eyeball for range, or ask my WO if we are on the surface.

Both periscopes have a magnification switch. The actual zoom factor depends on what mods you have installed. I think the Hitman optics gives you a 6X zoom.

That's pretty darn good shooting. How are you measuring target speed? Do you have map contacts on?

This is correct, though there is a mod that gives you bearing with binoculars. I've been tempted to find and install it as if you are standing on the bridge you would have some spacial perception as to which direction you were facing, which you completely lack in the stock view of the binoculars.

Depending on which mods you have, in the corner of the map screen you will see a little tab, which is the corner of some "maps".

One of them is a convoy/ship route map (the one that comes in the box with the box version of the game). Another shows friendly port mine fields and sub nets. Another shows time/knot/distance conversions. Some people have a "flags" overlay. Now that I think about it, maybe the flag overlay is only visible in the scope screens?



Since I've started using no map updates, pretty much everything I do is bye guesstimation. A calculator would be of little use to me as I don't have inputs to put into it.

My primary keyboard key on the keyboard for driving the sub is the "=" key which means "Head thataway!". I usually use a default target speed of 6 knots and fire from 500-700 meters. I have probably an 80% hit rate.

Steve

Yes, I use map updates. If I didn't, I'd just use the four bearings method. Speed can easily be determined by measuring how far a ship has moved in 6:29. If I cannot get a visual sighting on the ship, I'll measure it using the hydroscope for 9:43. Most of the time you kind of know the speed of the ship already. If the contact shows "slow" (either by hydrophone or on the map) then that's max 7 knots. So if you calculate an intercept at 6 knots and the ship arrives before you, then he must be going at 7 knots. If you arrive before him, he must be going 4-5. If you both arrive on time, he must be going 6.

The = key doesn't work for me, but I have the integrated orders mod that lets me click on the helmsman and order him to come to bearing.