619 [-GPS-] Landing_Skipper Members 2,954 posts 45,848 battles Report post #1 Posted April 28, 2017 (edited) So the spotter increases the stupidly short range of 12.8 km to 15.3 and you definitely can hit targets at that longer range. However, the cool down is 240s vs. 120s for the fighter(s). Premium smoke cool down is 160, so you can time fighters closer to smoke. Fighters stay aloft for 240s vs. "only" 180s for the spotter. Your AA is underwhelming to say the least. Which do other players prefer please? Edited April 28, 2017 by Landing_Skipper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2,894 [HINON] Doomlock [HINON] Wiki Lead, Beta Testers, Privateers 6,801 posts 5,248 battles Report post #2 Posted April 28, 2017 I use the spotter, but I can see the argument for the fighter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
4,728 [ABDA] crzyhawk Beta Testers 17,538 posts 12,810 battles Report post #3 Posted April 28, 2017 I'm running dual fighters atm. I like the better timer. I think they are also more robust (harder to shoot down) than spotters. When I am spotting for myself in smoke, I need a robust aircraft more than I need the bonus range. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
619 [-GPS-] Landing_Skipper Members 2,954 posts 45,848 battles Report post #4 Posted April 28, 2017 I'm running dual fighters atm. I like the better timer. I think they are also more robust (harder to shoot down) than spotters. When I am spotting for myself in smoke, I need a robust aircraft more than I need the bonus range. I'm trying out the dual fighters and that does seem OK. Since the removal of stealth firing, boosting your range isn;t always good. Especially when that smoke runs out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
17,525 [WOLF5] HazeGrayUnderway Members 38,534 posts 31,160 battles Report post #5 Posted April 28, 2017 The Catapult Fighters don't give the range boost but they are up in the air for a long time. Even when you are not shooting, the Catapult Fighters can spot targets for others in your team. If the Spotter Planes actually stayed up in the air longer then I'd use them but they don't, so no. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
619 [-GPS-] Landing_Skipper Members 2,954 posts 45,848 battles Report post #6 Posted April 28, 2017 The Catapult Fighters don't give the range boost but they are up in the air for a long time. Even when you are not shooting, the Catapult Fighters can spot targets for others in your team. If the Spotter Planes actually stayed up in the air longer then I'd use them but they don't, so no. Fighters spot torps too... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
79 [VIKNG] ThomasFranz67 Beta Testers 432 posts 14,393 battles Report post #7 Posted April 28, 2017 I'm using the Spotter at the moment, but the Fighter definitely has its merits, too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
682 [SCRAP] ArmouredCarriers Beta Testers 1,690 posts 5,582 battles Report post #8 Posted April 29, 2017 (edited) Sounds like a good argument. I'll give fighters a go. But I do find the extra range of Spotters useful when trying to burn-down battleships. You need the extra 'incoming' time to doge... Edited April 29, 2017 by HMS_Formidable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
17,525 [WOLF5] HazeGrayUnderway Members 38,534 posts 31,160 battles Report post #9 Posted April 29, 2017 (edited) Sounds like a good argument. I'll give fighters a go. But I do find the extra range of Spotters useful when trying to burn-down battleships. You need the extra 'incoming' time to doge... The +range from Spotter Planes is immensely useful, most especially when smoke is on CD, because getting in gunfights with Perth's anemic range is risky with no cover, concealment. Getting in a gunfight with a Cleveland at 12km or less is dangerous without the extra range. Again, my gripe is how short the Spotter Planes are up. By forsaking the extra range from Spotter Planes I elected to go "All In" with Perth fighting in smoke. Go 1/4, pop smoke, launch Catapult Fighters. If I was sailing alone, I don't need anyone to spot for me, and I have Hydro if someone wants to try to sneak torps while I'm doing Creeping Smoke. Without smoke and with this build style, the pucker factor goes up if I have to gunfight and have to be savvy with my engagements. Edited April 29, 2017 by HazeGrayUnderway Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2,555 [GWG] AVR_Project Members 8,019 posts 15,941 battles Report post #10 Posted April 29, 2017 Just got my Perth today. Chose fighter over spotter for the reasons given above. I need to see what's going on while my ship is in a cloud. Fighters have a pretty high HP, while the spotter is not even listed. If a DD gets THAT close, I'll pop Hydro and blast it. .. Also got a smoke mod 1 in a supercontainer today... Woooo Hoooo !!! With Premium consumable, Jack of all trades, 5% flag, and the mod the smoke on/off time is 117/144. The crew will need oxygen masks. .. I'm having a fun time playing with this new toy. It certainly is a new way to do things. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2,555 [GWG] AVR_Project Members 8,019 posts 15,941 battles Report post #11 Posted April 29, 2017 Oh.... IMPORTANT INFO on the Perth... Just found out the hard way... You can outrun your smoke going backwards. Might need to alternate between reverse and stop to keep the speed down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
17,525 [WOLF5] HazeGrayUnderway Members 38,534 posts 31,160 battles Report post #12 Posted April 29, 2017 Oh.... IMPORTANT INFO on the Perth... Just found out the hard way... You can outrun your smoke going backwards. Might need to alternate between reverse and stop to keep the speed down. Be at 1/4 speed and you won't have to worry about outrunning your smoke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2,555 [GWG] AVR_Project Members 8,019 posts 15,941 battles Report post #13 Posted April 29, 2017 Be at 1/4 speed and you won't have to worry about outrunning your smoke. Sorry... There is no speed control for backwards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
619 [-GPS-] Landing_Skipper Members 2,954 posts 45,848 battles Report post #14 Posted April 29, 2017 (edited) Oh.... IMPORTANT INFO on the Perth... Just found out the hard way... You can outrun your smoke going backwards. Might need to alternate between reverse and stop to keep the speed down. If you take the 2-point smoke Expert captain skill you won't outrun your smoke going backward. However, feathering the throttle works fine and you can use those skill points elsewhere. Like Expert Marksman. Edited April 29, 2017 by Landing_Skipper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
21 [IBAD] pongping2002 Beta Testers 122 posts 3,985 battles Report post #15 Posted June 12, 2017 I'm still up in the air about spotter or fighter, but I did take the Direction Center to give me two regardless. If I'm in smoke and one gets shot down with no one else to spot, I can at least still have targets to shoot at. I know I'm sacrificing Priority Target, but honestly, if I'm spotted I just assume everyone is targeting me anyway. As for now, I run spotter for the range. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1,092 [TOG] Bill_Halsey Members 4,758 posts 34,565 battles Report post #16 Posted June 14, 2017 I use dual spotters on mine. My play style is to go as close as possible w/o being seen, go 1/4 speed, pop smoke and then start shelling. I pop the spotters if other ships on my tm do something stupid like run away or worse decide they're going to hide in my smoke too. If not I wait until the 20-30 sec mark, go silent, break contact, wait until I'm 11-12 km away, pop spotter and resume shelling. I've tried fighters and it requires you to be danger close. Spotters also have the advantage of being able to shoot over islands, shooting ships hiding behind islands and shooting ships in smoke due to having a top down view. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
