Sub Targetting With Fixed Weapons

[KombattWombatt]

Is it possible? I haven't had need to do much sub targetting except for the occasional foray into privateering npcs. Most of the time, in my viper, I would get a target down low enough with my beams and then burst them down with a volley of dumbfires, if needed.

I just switched to an eagle for a little variety, and Im running with 3 fixed pulse weapons. (the power issues of a kitted out Eagle are real.)

I was doing a little BH'ing at a nav beacon right now, and it takes a while to whittle down the bigger targets with me little pulses. Fed Drop Ship jumped out before I could pop him. I was able to take out a python but only because the AI decided to go down with the ship, I guess.

Halfway through the Fed DS, I realized I should try to take out his FSD. With the Python, thats where I started. I felt I was doing a pretty good job targeting the FSD but when he popped it was only at like 80something...

So... do I need to improve my aim a bit, or is it just really difficult with fixed weapons?

-Wombat

 

[AH_ImADot]

With a sub-system targeted, even fixed weapons gimbal a little once you aim close enough. I've only ever used fixed weapons and it works just fine. I usually either target the FSD, Engine or Power Plant.

 

[bigmuthatrukka]

I have found that if you target life support quite a lot of ships explode around 30 odd percent hull left. This is not science, just how it seems to me.

 

[Spork]

I use the lasers+multi-cannon loadout and I've found the only sub-targets I can destroy before the hull on the python are the drives and the cargo hatch. You can damage the power plant a bit but the hull will get to 0 long before the power plant goes. Maybe you need missiles to get at them?

With some targets like its hardpoints the target is up above the actual weapon which means if you shoot at it from the side you completely miss. Straight at them at point blank range, full round of MC ammo with pulse lasers going at the same time does 0 damage to them.

With all other ships I target the power plant and usually destroy it before the hull, which causes the ship to blow up. Taking drives out doesn't stop ships from being able to jump away which is pretty stupid.

 

[DidierDrbois]

My little problem with sub-targets is that the litttle red square only gives you a rough spot. What I mean is, yeah, there's the red square but it's there whether you're looking at the target's belly or roof.

What I do, and yeah, I use all fixed setup, I aim at the red square and unload everything I've got. That seems to usually work. Anacondas go with 40+ hull left most of the time when I hit their power plant this way.

I suggest you keep at it, don't budge, and don't buy into gimbals or, god forbid, turrets. Best of luck!

 

[KombattWombatt]

Nah fixed is way more fun. I don't fly the cobra specifically because of the hardpoint placements.

I probably just need more sub targeting practice.