VIDEO: alternative targeting system against Cobra

[Mephane]

I like the alternative targetting mode. Good idea to let it in, I will definitely try it out (one day, in beta2^^).

 

[santino]

So is this mapped to a key so you can switch back and forth while flying? or is it an option you need to set up before the mission?

 

[Dr Wookie]

You can switch back and forth by opening the pause menu. You can change any setting you like mid mission . There isn't a button you can just press though, as far as I'm aware

 

[Keeval]

I've just tried this out.. and I find it much better.. and as Mike says you get to see more of the ships that you're targeting

This is my new default targeting mode.. thanks for leaving it in!

 

[Cosmos]

Exactly and the biggest reason I wanted it implemented this way in the first place.

I've been using for days now.. I kinda like it. I was playing with the settings and this one just sort of seemed to work for me. and as you say you get to see the ships better

 

[Hamerstein]

I tried it and didn't like it, aesthetics aside I'm just too used to the conventional lead reticule.

 

[Nagual]

Nice, it's the same principle you use to sight a bow or a scope. If you are shooting high, you move the reticule higher which makes you adjust your shot down. Very nice



Yes, the cross-hairs slide into a position that forces you to adjust appropriately.

I remember this getting mentioned ages ago, and love the idea. Used something similar in real life many moons ago, it works very well, allows you to track the target very effectively. Glad to see it's there 'in game', and I hope it stays there.

 

[Commandr Sam]

I have just made a quick video showing the 2 different control methods in use, I hope this helps to make this clear to everyone.

Vid at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFG_I61Vne8&feature=youtu.be

 

[Venkman]

There needs to be a keybinding to cycle gunsight modes also the "Trail from center" mode needs a static gun cross indicator (that plus symbol at the top center of this F16 HUD) in addition to indicate the pivot axis of your own ship, just like all modern combat aircraft HUDs have.

That, and such a nice image.

 

[withnail]

I like the alternative version too, although it did take some getting used to.

 

[FoxTwo]

Please forgive me for re-activating this old thread, I'm trying follow forum rules of not creating duplicate threads on the same subject. I am not part of the Alpha so I cannot confirm this for myself.

I've seen the videos of the "boresight mode" (Trail from centre) as well as "traditional" (active lock).

My question is, do we still need to go into options to change the targetting mode even with the current Alpha 2.x?

I was thinking that it would be much easier (and logical) for pilots to switch from active to boresight mode during combat should the opponent employ ECM measures that render your targetting sensors impaired (or disabled).

A video that comes to mind when I was thinking about it was that someone went "full silent mode" in MP and he snuck up on someone else and blasted him to bits while the poor guy was flailing about trying to run away from him.

If the poor guy had the option to switch to boresight mode (not being able to lock on to the aggressor) he might get a couple of shots in, and may actually discourage the predator

Think about it - back in WW1 and WW2, they don't have radars, they don't "lock on" to anything. They just aimed-off and hoped the bullets will hit the other guy during an aerial dogfight. Now, we have radar locks for missles, as well as leading/trailing markers for gun mode. It would make sense (in my mind) for ED to have a mode that goes all the way back to basics, to have just a "cross in the centre" of the HUD (or the canopy) for when all your avionics fail in combat.

EDIT - If I am not mistaken, original ELITE (1984) operated solely on boresight mode. The "radar lock" was only for missiles.

 

[X2Eliah]

Afaik, both targetting modes both require 'locking on' to the target; and in both modes, without a lock, your guns shoot straightforwards (boresight fire?).

 

[Slythe]

Afaik, both targetting modes both require 'locking on' to the target; and in both modes, without a lock, your guns shoot straightforwards (boresight fire?).

Yep, there is no difference in the modes. One displays the lead target indicator ahead of the actual target. The other moves the crosshairs the same distance in the opposite direction to the lead indicator to achieve the same effect. If there is no lock-on both cases already function as a basic boresight.

 

[FoxTwo]

Ah ok thanks much for the replies guys!

So regardless of the "mode" you select at the menu, your weapons always fall back to boresight mode when there is no lock. Gotcha!

Now I just need to get a marker to put a little cross on my canopy in the centre of the HUD...(when ED reaches 2nd beta, of course)...

 

[Maxim Jameson]

...
Now I just need to get a marker to put a little cross on my canopy in the centre of the HUD...(when ED reaches 2nd beta, of course)...

I dont understand the need for a cross.. I notice that there are two systems, a circle that trails and a triangular pattern that surrounds the center area. This triangular pattern serves as a designator around the outer edges of what would be a centered cross-hair.. but is designed to allow you full visual in the center rather than having crosshairs partially block parts of the view where you expect impact on the enemy ship. Simply allow your eye to triangulate the center and visualize a three-way cross at the center and you'll be good..

 

[FoxTwo]

I dont understand the need for a cross..

That was a tongue-in-cheek comment, not serious about it. But then again I might just poke around the assets files and see if I can mod in a cross to the HUD/cockpit myself when ED is released.

In your reply, you assume the HUD is going to be always there - it won't. That much has been planned for anyway (If I am not mistaken). Your ship is able to lose avionics completely and you will have to fly "blind" to limp home to a station to get repairs done.

In any case, the "cross" is a convenience for when you suffer a targeting system failure. You no longer are able to lock on to the target, you no longer have leading/trailing markers. But suppose you can still visually see your attacker - having a cross on your canopy just helps to tell you where your shots will go if you pull the trigger.

If you suffer a catastrophic avionics failure, your HUD might not even be present too. So, no "circle" for you to "visualise" anything.

Also, for people who like to go silent and ambush other players, they'd be running cold and you can't get a target lock on them. The cross helps.

EDIT - Seems like Alpha 2.2 added a "dot" to the centre of the reticules. Let's hope this dot remains even if the HUD goes down. If not, I'll be seeing about how to move this "dot" to the canopy textures instead