Deck Gun Tactics

cleverusername · 12-18-08, 12:22 AM

Does anyone have advice on how to best use the deck gun? I'm running RFB and sometimes merchants are only disabled and don't sink. I don't want to waste too many torpedoes so the deck gun is a good way to finish them off.

Problem: Nearly every ship is armed with one or two big naval guns, and several smaller machine guns. The machine guns eat up my crew and the bigger guns punch right through the hull of my sub. How do I sink a disabled enemy merchant without being sunk by the return fire?

LukeFF · 12-18-08, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleverusername

How do I sink a disabled enemy merchant without being sunk by the return fire?

Use a torpedo.

Aramike · 12-18-08, 02:08 AM

Anyone know if there are ANY instances of a deck gun ACTUALLY being used to assist in sinking large targets?

A Very Super Market · 12-18-08, 02:11 AM

You'd have to define "large" cargo ships definitely, the sub would wait for the men to clear the boat then surface to destroy it. It was part courtesy-part not get radio reported.

The ship would have been torped first, of course

Aramike · 12-18-08, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Very Super Market

You'd have to define "large" cargo ships definitely, the sub would wait for the men to clear the boat then surface to destroy it. It was part courtesy-part not get radio reported.

The ship would have been torped first, of course

Me's thinking anything over, say, 5k tons...

Good answer though.

Orion2012 · 12-18-08, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeFF

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleverusername

How do I sink a disabled enemy merchant without being sunk by the return fire?

Use a torpedo.

Agreed. In the stock game where you could take a few hits, engaging from long range might work, but with RFB, it only takes a single shot from a merchant to have critical damage, and some dead crewman. Like Luke said, a close up torpedo shot is what I would do. I always try to hit the opposite end and side from my previous attack.

LukeFF · 12-19-08, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orion2012

Like Luke said, a close up torpedo shot is what I would do. I always try to hit the opposite end and side from my previous attack.

Yep, and that's where the stern tubes come in especially handy. One doesn't have to "waste" a torpedo from your "main" forward-firing tubes in order to get a crippled ship to sink. (After the war, the general consensus in the USN was that stern tubes weren't worth the trouble to install).

A Very Super Market · 12-19-08, 01:59 AM

Well after the war, nukes were developed on subs, so yeah....

Do subs nowadays still use torpedoes?

SandyCaesar · 12-19-08, 02:08 AM

Definitely. Wire-guided passive/active homing at 55knots and a 27-mile range, 650 pounds of PBXN...don't you wish your fleet boat had an ADCAP?

Check out the DW forum.

So yes, subs today do carry torps. Comparatively few carry missiles, and even fewer use nuclear-capable missiles.

12-18-08, 12:22 AM	#1
cleverusername Seaman Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 38 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Deck Gun Tactics Does anyone have advice on how to best use the deck gun? I'm running RFB and sometimes merchants are only disabled and don't sink. I don't want to waste too many torpedoes so the deck gun is a good way to finish them off. Problem: Nearly every ship is armed with one or two big naval guns, and several smaller machine guns. The machine guns eat up my crew and the bigger guns punch right through the hull of my sub. How do I sink a disabled enemy merchant without being sunk by the return fire? __________________ Visual. Tally. Press!

12-18-08, 02:11 AM	#4
A Very Super Market The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Deep in the Wild Canadian suburbs. Posts: 1,468 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You'd have to define "large" cargo ships definitely, the sub would wait for the men to clear the boat then surface to destroy it. It was part courtesy-part not get radio reported. The ship would have been torped first, of course __________________ The entire German garrison of Vanviken, right here in your thread! Last edited by A Very Super Market; 12-18-08 at 02:12 AM.

12-19-08, 01:59 AM	#8
A Very Super Market The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Deep in the Wild Canadian suburbs. Posts: 1,468 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Well after the war, nukes were developed on subs, so yeah.... Do subs nowadays still use torpedoes? __________________ The entire German garrison of Vanviken, right here in your thread!

12-19-08, 02:08 AM	#9
SandyCaesar Chief Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: HMS Thanatus Posts: 325 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Definitely. Wire-guided passive/active homing at 55knots and a 27-mile range, 650 pounds of PBXN...don't you wish your fleet boat had an ADCAP? Check out the DW forum. So yes, subs today do carry torps. Comparatively few carry missiles, and even fewer use nuclear-capable missiles. __________________ Vanvikan, Feb. 2009: ordinary human, KIA, night 4 HMS Thanatus, May 2009: ??? human, KIA, night 7

12-18-08, 02:08 AM	#3
Aramike Ocean Warrior Best of SUBSIM Chairman Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 3,207 Downloads: 59 Uploads: 0	Anyone know if there are ANY instances of a deck gun ACTUALLY being used to assist in sinking large targets?