Should I aim for sub-targets when fighting small enemies?

[Merquise]

I build me a Viper, 2x small minigun and 2x medium cannons.
I'm trying to hunt bad guys.

Should I be aiming at sub-targets when I fight small enemies like Eagles, Sidewinders and other Vipers?
How about medium targets?


I'm suspecting that small enemies die before I kill the sub-target (like a reactor).
I think bigger targets like Lakon 7 it is a good idea to aim for reactors and stuff, right?

And what do you guys aim for, IF you aim for subtargets?
Most of my enemies just FSD out of there when I am about to get the upper hand and I suck at interdicting so I cant chase them...
Should I aim for 'drive' or for FSD?

Thnx in advance for any help and Merry Xmas !

 

[CMDR Nirnroot]

Merry Christmas to you too. As a bounty hunter in a Viper I tend only to target subsystems in larger craft. I aim for power plants on the bigger guys. If you can keep really close it slows them down if they try to jump.

 

[Almighty Bob]

I fight with 3 fixed beams and 1 gimbled multi.

I know how to select the subsystems in the left panel.

My question is probably obvious-- but is it only my gimbal that will benefit fron the lock?

 

[CMDR Nirnroot]

Running with 4 fixed beams and it is possible to target subsystems with them. I assume it isnt as easy... I am also finding that my aiming and flying has improved since I switched to all fixed.

 

[Merquise]

I fight with 3 fixed beams and 1 gimbled multi.

I know how to select the subsystems in the left panel.

My question is probably obvious-- but is it only my gimbal that will benefit fron the lock?

As far s I can tell: yes only the gimbal benefits from the lock.

ps: you can assigns keys to 'subtargetting'.
I set my Q and E keys to the sub targets.
Works like a charm !

 

[Solarwind]

smaller targets die before the subsystems do i only target subsystems on ASP and larger craft.
on Python and Conda a lot of times they still have 50% to 65% hull left when they die from powerplant being destroyed.

 

[saviornt]

As far s I can tell: yes only the gimbal benefits from the lock.

ps: you can assigns keys to 'subtargetting'.
I set my Q and E keys to the sub targets.
Works like a charm !

Really? How do you do this?

 

[Merquise]

smaller targets die before the subsystems do i only target subsystems on ASP and larger craft.
on Python and Conda a lot of times they still have 50% to 65% hull left when they die from powerplant being destroyed.

Owwwww this is good to know !

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Really? How do you do this?

Options, controls, then about halfway the key settings there is a section called 'targetting'.

Cycle next subsystem, cycle previous subsystem

 

[shrinkshooter]

No, don't bother targeting subs. I mean, it's pretty pointless in general, since they often die before their subs give out, but especially with your loadout...4 projectile weapons will (assuming you can aim) absolutely decimate the hulls of any ship you come across, with the exception of Pythons or Condas, long before you can kill their systems.

 

[Almighty Bob]

As far s I can tell: yes only the gimbal benefits from the lock.

ps: you can assigns keys to 'subtargetting'.
I set my Q and E keys to the sub targets.
Works like a charm !

thanks I have not looked at options and reviewed my bindings for weeks a good reminder to go back to basics

 

[CMDR Nirnroot]

Owwwww this is good to know !

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Options, controls, then about halfway the key settings there is a section called 'targetting'.

Cycle next subsystem, cycle previous subsystem

Neat, I hadnt thought of that. It would be quicker than using voice attack, which would also sound a bit weird if you were repeating the same word of phrase to get down the list to the power plant on an anaconda. Are you sure you cant target subsystems with fixed weapons? I was sure I was...

 

[Drezden]

As far s I can tell: yes only the gimbal benefits from the lock.
...

Fixed weapons move a slight amount towards the subsystem, you can see this occurring if you watch carefully

 

[Gorodd]

against smaller enemies - yes it can be done after their shields go down. Clearly it depends on the weapon you are using to whether you are successful with taking out a subsystem. For instance...fixed cannons will give great results if accurately shot at subsystem...gimbals will generally be good for those yet to master accuracy. The challenge you face is being able to keep on the smaller enemies subsystem due to its manoeuvrability - for a beginner or even moderate player it will be too difficult apart from the odd lucky shot - the result is that you end up taking out the hull before the subsystem is 0%. For those who have mastered fighting with 'flight assist off' it is easier but still never straight forward - the best use of targeting subsystems on a small ship is to ambush the target i.e. not interdicting them but waiting outside of a station with low heat signature.

Generally, targeting subsystems are better for larger ships...take out drives first on an anaconda - makes them a sitting duck after that and they are relatively easy to hit compared to its other subsystems...then hit the powerplant if you want the kill quick.

How to target subsystems on enemy - look to your left panel (after Contacts tab) once you have the enemy selected that is...a 'Subsystem' tab will show up - you can scroll down this list and select any subsystem there after.

 

[ReaperAlex]

I fight with 3 fixed beams and 1 gimbled multi.

I know how to select the subsystems in the left panel.

My question is probably obvious-- but is it only my gimbal that will benefit fron the lock?

only your gimble will auto aim at the sub-target. but there is a small red square bracket over the targeted subsystem for you to aim at. also if you have fixed projectiles the lead indicator will update to match the subsystem

so on bigger ships target the FSD or power plant and aim at the red bracket with your fixed beams, the gimbled MC will also try to shoot it

 

[Drezden]

damaging an enemy subsystem without destroying it should affect it like it would your craft. That subsystem should have a chance to malfunction / not function as well. Damaging the FSD could temporarily disable jump capabilities or extend the time it takes to jump. If I worry about them jumping, I target the FSD.

 

[TehGM]

Assigned my mouse wheel to change subtargets, which makes it fast. And sometimes when someone annoys me badly cause I have to do something and he just disturbs with interdiction, and it's not worth killing him, I just target drives, destroy them and laugh at him that he's gonna float in space forever... yes, I'm cruel.

 

[Almighty Bob]

thanks guys

 

[AH_ImADot]

Just to reiterate what others have said, and to add my thoughts...

I bound the next/previous sub-system to a switch on my throttle so I can quickly scroll through the list while keeping the ship in my sight (with TrackIR). If you have to take your eye of the enemy to mess around with your panels, then don't bother. The little target box on that subsystem is what I'll aim for once shields are down. I have two fixed lasers and a fixed rail gun on my Eagle.

I've had many ships FSD out of the fight, so I target the FSD. If I hit it, great. If not, I hit the hull and damage them that way. I can see my fixed weapons "jump" all little when I'm close enough to them and get the pipper close enough to the sub-system.

 

[saviornt]

Owwwww this is good to know !

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Options, controls, then about halfway the key settings there is a section called 'targetting'.

Cycle next subsystem, cycle previous subsystem

Ah, I thought it was a specific subsystem you could map to. That would make it much more useful with voice attack :\

edit: also, I would recommend doing subsystem targeting on all ships, just to get into the habit of doing it.

 

[Julio Montega]

By targetting the subsystems of smaller crafts you can ease the aiming on your gimbals sometimes,
based on the position of the target and the vector both ships are flying.
However, it is rather unlikely, that smaller crafts will survive long enough,
before a subsystem is blown, depending on how accurate you fire and what weaponry you use.

Beam lasers are not a good choice for subsystem sniping,
also blowing the generator or fsd will pop the ship.

An Eagle with a military hull reinforcement, however can sustain multiple subsystem losses
like the hatch and engines, it depends on what the pilot is fielding.