Targeting with the AA guns

Wow thanks for the quick replies. I Will use the suggested lead method next time
follow up questions...
Can you order your AA gunner to fire at surface targets?

[switch.dota]

Originally Posted by simonb1612

Can you order your AA gunner to fire at surface targets?

No, but surface targets shouldn't be much of a problem for you to hit manually

[Captain Scribb]

Not that I know of, but from what I can tell AA fire doesn't really do anything to surface targets, guns, or personnel - with the exception being that it will set a junk or fishing boat's sails on fire. Plus it wastes a lot of ammo, which is precious if you plan on dealing with more than a couple aircraft on your patrol.

[cali03boss]

you can take out gun crews and passengers with the AA guns. I've done it. Its sometimes hard, but its possible.

The reason I wanted to know how to target was because when it comes to surface gun battles I believe I am a better shot than my gunners and the Japanese IN and Merchant fleet. However, as it is alway better to aviod any damage I wish to ensure that I am hitting the enemy as soon as possible, thus some long range shots before his gunners zero in on me. This is easy with the main deck gun as you can zoom in on targets through the aiming scope. However, with the 40mm cannons the targeting rings obscure the view so it is hard to know where your shots are striking.

As for AA guns being ineffective, as I said earlier, the 40mm cannons are IMHO more effective against merchants than the main deck gun. Try straffing the decks of any merchant with a 40mm and see the effect - explosions everywhere and a very quick "enemy destroyed message" This may not reflect RL but that is how the game runs.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by simonb1612

The reason I wanted to know how to target was because when it comes to surface gun battles I believe I am a better shot than my gunners and the Japanese IN and Merchant fleet. However, as it is alway better to aviod any damage I wish to ensure that I am hitting the enemy as soon as possible, thus some long range shots before his gunners zero in on me. This is easy with the main deck gun as you can zoom in on targets through the aiming scope. However, with the 40mm cannons the targeting rings obscure the view so it is hard to know where your shots are striking.

As for AA guns being ineffective, as I said earlier, the 40mm cannons are IMHO more effective against merchants than the main deck gun. Try straffing the decks of any merchant with a 40mm and see the effect - explosions everywhere and a very quick "enemy destroyed message" This may not reflect RL but that is how the game runs.

Once your crew get a few ranks in gunnery they become crack shots indeed.

[Snuffy]

Originally Posted by Captain Scribb

Not that I know of, but from what I can tell AA fire doesn't really do anything to surface targets, guns, or personnel - with the exception being that it will set a junk or fishing boat's sails on fire. Plus it wastes a lot of ammo, which is precious if you plan on dealing with more than a couple aircraft on your patrol.

Two nights ago I took out a DD with the single 40 mounted on the tower as I was making a surface escape because of severe flooding!

I spent a good deal of the 40's shells but ultimately the DD bought it.