Target Acquisition

[X-Peri-MENTAL]

I am having problems understanding the target acquisition mechanic and would like to better understand what is going on, it has been niggling at me in the main game but is more critical in CQC which I will use as the bases for my discussion.

Before you can track/select a target you have to have the four cornered diamond appear around your target before you can select it with ‘Target forward’ and therefore get your gimballed weapons to track. Last night I was finding the diamond was not coming up when I would expect it and decided to investigate further. In some cases I was right on top of the target and still not able to ’target forward’. I then wondered if there was an acquisition time so then proceeded to follow another target but I was still not able to perform a ‘target forward’ selection when in other circumstances it would have worked. In most cases acquisition works fine but there are a few occurrences when I can’t select/track a target. I am also convinced this is not due to countermeasures: Chaff with Condor as it is easy to visually spot when deployed, the stealth power up, heat sink being ejected (eagles only) or silent running (opponents weren’t high enough in rank to have unlocked equipment); I was also well within weapons range as was able to hit the target with weapons in the non-tracking state.

Has any other commander experienced this or is able to suggest what I am missing with my understanding of target acquisition?

 

[hunvagy]

Target aquisition is based on the heat the target is emanating. Some ships run really cool, which makes them a PITA to target. Diamondbacks especially refuse to be locked on unless they are firing all their weapons. I had instances where I could only target a DBS when it was well within 1km range.

 

[X-Peri-MENTAL]

This was in CQC where there is very little heat management: lots of boosting and empty weapons capacitors. I was also well within 1Km (which I think might be weapons range in CQC), in one case so close I could ram the target.

 

[the100thmonkey]

I've noticed this too, although only in CQC. Sometimes, the reticule just refuses to appear.

 

[Bomba Luigi]

Thats not that uncommon to happen, Silent Running (Build in or power ups) works quite well. Heatsinks may also have an affect, but don't know how big that is, SR is more likley. But at the end of the day, bugs are always a possabilty.

In the main Game some good Sensor can't hurt, bad sensor + cold running enemy ships may cause some problems in regards to targeting. Alltough that is just me specualiting, never seriously tested it.

 

[hitorii]

/ignore you mentioned stealth powerup isnt there a stealth powerup in cqc? surely thats the reason why you cant target


instead of targeting forward have you tried target next? see if you can cycle through them, dont play cqc just throwing some ideas

 

[X-Peri-MENTAL]

the100ththmonkey:

I've noticed this too, although only in CQC. Sometimes, the reticule just refuses to appear.

Good, I was hopping it wasn't just me, it feels like a bug to me which isn’t obvious as it doesn’t always happen.

Bomba Luigi:

Thats not that uncommon to happen, Silent Running (Build in or power ups) works quite well.

Agreed, but my opponents did not have silent running, their rank was not high enough to unlock it.

hitorii:

ignore you mentioned stealth powerup isnt there a stealth powerup in cqc? surely thats the reason why you cant target

Yes, but it doesn't last long and most of the time you would normally see your opponent get an upgrade, also there is one map I think (Elevate) where the only power up is weapon enhance there is no stealth.