Carrier UI - is this the best they can do?

[Herr_Reitz]

Fully admit a new carrier player so my criticisms may not carry a lot of weight. But wow - no wonder people aren't so keen on playing carriers. Maybe it would help in some manner if the minimap was a hot key option - but hey, how about the ability to simply zoom the main display out even farther so I don't have a minimap displaying unless i hot key it? Right? 

 

I know chat's important but the more I play this game (thousands upon thousands of matches) the more i despise it. I can't get it completely off the display. I can mute a player but not their stupid frigging F Key spamming. And it always intrudes at the worst possible moment. For non-carrier play, you need as much visual space as possible to fire on some of the upper tier DDs going full speed ahead.

 

They talked about more of a RTS game interface. I'm not seeing it. So I'm curious if those of you who have endured carrier play to this point - do you think this interface is as good as it will get? 

 

Or do you foresee something better? tiafyc

[BrushWolf]

They are working on redoing the CV UI but we have no time table on when it will happen.

[Jiggiwatt]

I very recently started playing CV's a little (just the Langley) and the UI certainly needs some work. It is not intuitive at all.

 

1) It took me awhile to learn that I could change the direction of automatic drops.

2) I had no idea how to make my planes return home until someone told me it's the F key.

3) How on earth do I get back to the 'normal' view? Would be helpful when being torpedoed.

4) Is there a way to move around the map a little faster besides putting my cursor at the edges? If a squadron is in trouble on the other side of the map, taking 5+ seconds to get there makes a huge difference.

5) Is there somewhere that I can see my plane reserves?

6) If I have multiple squadrons of the same plane type, how do I switch between them? I haven't run into this yet with the 1-1-1 setup but it doesn't seem obvious to me anyways.

 

That's just what comes immediately to mind. 

[Herr_Reitz]

I very recently started playing CV's a little (just the Langley) and the UI certainly needs some work. It is not intuitive at all.

 

1) It took me awhile to learn that I could change the direction of automatic drops.

2) I had no idea how to make my planes return home until someone told me it's the F key.

3) How on earth do I get back to the 'normal' view? Would be helpful when being torpedoed.

4) Is there a way to move around the map a little faster besides putting my cursor at the edges? If a squadron is in trouble on the other side of the map, taking 5+ seconds to get there makes a huge difference.

5) Is there somewhere that I can see my plane reserves?

6) If I have multiple squadrons of the same plane type, how do I switch between them? I haven't run into this yet with the 1-1-1 setup but it doesn't seem obvious to me anyways.

 

That's just what comes immediately to mind. 

 

#2 - yup - but consider if your carrier is not yet discovered by the reds, you may want to take the long way home. Especially if you are being pursued by red fighter aircraft... just find some of you BB/Cruisers already engaged with the reds and fly over them. Then hold down the shift key (i think) and drop additional way points back to your carrier. When they get in the clear you can just hit the F key. 

 

#3 - I don't any more... I just hit the #1 key to take me to my carrier, figure out which way to turn and determine if the speed needs changed then do both using the standard WASD key interface. 

 

#4 - if you left click once on the minimap, most times your view in the main display will center over the are you clicked once. I say most times - because sometimes it will be as if you were pinging the map for the team. I find it irritating when it does that but what can one do?

 

#5 - reserves are the tiny little numbers to the right of your last aircraft display at the bottom of the display. They stack these things up vertically. 

 

#6 - when you group any planes, you just remember their number key and tap it to isolate them. It's a pain - initially - but you sort of get used to it. 

[aethervox]

Jiggiwatt:

1) you now know don't you.

2) the control letters are listed somewhere - you just need to look (or ask or search in the Forum threads).

3) the 'shift' key, I believe.

4) press the # key linked to the plane squadron you want.

5) I'm not sure. If enough die, you run out.

6) again, press the # key for each of your squadrons

CVs have a learning curve. You are only at the Langley. When you get to Essex, you have 5 squadrons (& the ship, itself) to keep yourself busy with, lol.

[aethervox]

Way points are not necessary & the battle situation changes so what is the point? I never use them. I steer my ship at all times. I do not 'anchor' (stop) my CVs (not for long, anyway). Stopping is a fail tactic.

[Herr_Reitz]

Tell you tho... most seasoned carrier players suggest the IJN line... as it currently seems to do far better than the USN line... I currently have the Independence... using it to learn manual drops - whilst grinding away on the IJN line, working on Ryujo. 

[Pirate_Badcat]

3:Zoom in and press the 1 key to select your ship then the z key, selecting another number 2,3,4, and /or 5 will give you view of one of your squads, nice view to ride along with some of your planes.

4: Not sure what you mean. Select a squad by pressing the number associated with the squad and them click on the map but beware not to fly over ships with strong AA. For your ship press the 1 key this selects your ship and then click on the map to set a way point to select another way point hold down the shift key and click on the map,

5: At the bottom is a row of planes and the squad number at the right of this you see how many planes and type you have in your hanger deck.

6: At the bottom is your planes and squads with a number. Press that number to select the squad you want. 2,3,4,5, and or 6 which depends on how many squads you have.

Watch some YouTube videos and they will show you this and more.

Have a great day.

[Strachwitz666]

With US Langley cool,  Bogue is where you learn , but boring because only 2 squadrons. Indpen is where you get back 3 squadrons again. Don't bother going higher becuase you don't get anymore squadrons or better balanced squadron setups till tier 9. (And even there USCV's get apathetic number of squadrons(4-5?)) US CV's start getting nerfed past Langley.

 

on the flip side all Jap.CV's are good , and they really take off at Ryuhjo, 5 squadrons endless options

 

As to playing CV's , search the net to find the rules and methods to play them. Console yourself to playing the map screen. the only time you shoulod be in tac screen is if torps are being launch at you(bad scene already then). Or you are playing that manual drop and/or strafe game. But the map screen is the CV screen, own it.

[aethervox]

... there can be a squadron #7, don't forget it, lol.

[pyantoryng]

I play carrier...because I'm a Planes guy. I read the F1 manual and picked up tricks along the way reading the forums...that was a long, long time ago...I finally got my Lex fully upgraded, for old time's sake.

 

US carriers not named Saipan (itself formerly a tech tree ship) just keep on getting screwed over...it takes guts to start from scratch these days...

[Suzunami]

 

#2 - yup - but consider if your carrier is not yet discovered by the reds, you may want to take the long way home. Especially if you are being pursued by red fighter aircraft... just find some of you BB/Cruisers already engaged with the reds and fly over them. Then hold down the shift key (i think) and drop additional way points back to your carrier. When they get in the clear you can just hit the F key. 

One point to add to this: it's better to schedule your planes' landing this way. Once you get to higher tier CVs with 6+ squadrons, you'll get into situations where you want to launch some planes but several squadrons already in queue for landing and your next launch could be delayed for a minute. You should always way-point your returning planes close to your CV and then click F to land them so that you can launch some planes first if you need to.

[pyantoryng]

One point to add to this: it's better to schedule your planes' landing this way. Once you get to higher tier CVs with 6+ squadrons, you'll get into situations where you want to launch some planes but several squadrons already in queue for landing and your next launch could be delayed for a minute. You should always way-point your returning planes close to your CV and then click F to land them so that you can launch some planes first if you need to.

 

You pretty much have to do this if you use the tough bombers trick...

[Frenotx]

 

You pretty much have to do this if you use the tough bombers trick...

 

 Which trick are you referring to? 

[pyantoryng]

 

 Which trick are you referring to? 

 

Think about it, there is only one thing in this game that makes bombers become MUCH tougher by a single button push.

[Frenotx]

 

Think about it, there is only one thing in this game that makes bombers become MUCH tougher by a single button push.

 

I can only assume you're referring to the evasive maneuvers "perk" I was so wildly disappointed by. I used it for a while, until I realized that I was just microing to minimize how often it was up. Even when retreating from strong AA after dropping, I found the increased amount of time spent in the bubble to mostly if not completely cancel out the durability bonus. The speed reduction seems to take place while the planes are in their actual landing sequence too, which makes it take AGES if you're carrier is on the move. The only time I find that ship remotely useful was if someone click-engaged my bombers with their fighters over my team's AA. Every other scenario I'd end up just setting waypoints to make sure the bombers didn't slow down.

[pyantoryng]

 

I can only assume you're referring to the evasive maneuvers "perk" I was so wildly disappointed by. I used it for a while, until I realized that I was just microing to minimize how often it was up. Even when retreating from strong AA after dropping, I found the increased amount of time spent in the bubble to mostly if not completely cancel out the durability bonus. The speed reduction seems to take place while the planes are in their actual landing sequence too, which makes it take AGES if you're carrier is on the move. The only time I find that ship remotely useful was if someone click-engaged my bombers with their fighters over my team's AA. Every other scenario I'd end up just setting waypoints to make sure the bombers didn't slow down.

 

I find that it significantly increase my strike Lex's plane survivability, that they make it back intact to rearm much more often after getting it. Factoring in landing time it's better than 2 minutes rearming from obliteration. With every plane bombers all planes are affected.

[aethervox]

I play carrier...because I'm a Planes guy. I read the F1 manual and picked up tricks along the way reading the forums...that was a long, long time ago...I finally got my Lex fully upgraded, for old time's sake.

 

US carriers not named Saipan (itself formerly a tech tree ship) just keep on getting screwed over...it takes guts to start from scratch these days...

 

I learnt to have enough free exp & credits on hand to fully upgrade my CV to the planes & loadout I wanted before I played even one battle in a new tier CV (especially high tier ones).

 I have an Essex myself & I just need to get the proper free exp & credits & then an upgraded to what I want Shokaku will be in my port (I'm fairly close).

 I'd have to agree that grinding out the CVs nowadays will be a 'slog' but, hey, we did it.

So, I'd still say to new CV players - go for it if you want to.

[sulghunter331]

On 6/12/2017 at 11:25 AM, Jiggiwatt said:

I very recently started playing CV's a little (just the Langley) and the UI certainly needs some work. It is not intuitive at all.

 

1) It took me awhile to learn that I could change the direction of automatic drops.

2) I had no idea how to make my planes return home until someone told me it's the F key.

3) How on earth do I get back to the 'normal' view? Would be helpful when being torpedoed.

4) Is there a way to move around the map a little faster besides putting my cursor at the edges? If a squadron is in trouble on the other side of the map, taking 5+ seconds to get there makes a huge difference.

5) Is there somewhere that I can see my plane reserves?

6) If I have multiple squadrons of the same plane type, how do I switch between them? I haven't run into this yet with the 1-1-1 setup but it doesn't seem obvious to me anyways.

 

That's just what comes immediately to mind. 

3. Normally, it is the shift key. However, by default, this is disabled in the options menu, where you will have to change it manually. It is in the controls section, in the middle of the options, as "disable shift for carriers".

4. a. Clicking on the mini map itself works.

    b. Select the desired squadron, and press the space bar to center the camera view on the selected squadron.

5. On the right of your last squadron, you will see three icons with numbers next to them. These are your reserves. The cross hairs are your fighters, the bombs your dive bombers, the torpedoes your torpedo bombers.

6. By pressing the number associated with the desired squadron. That is, with the 1/1/1 load out, your fighters would be the "1" key, your torpedo bombers the "2" key, and your dive bombers the "3" key. If you had a 2/0/2 load out, fighter squad 1 would be the "1" key, while fighter squad 2 would be "2", and dive bomber squad 1 would be "3", and bomber squad 2 would be "4".

An interesting trick is to hold the shift key while giving orders. This will basically queue the orders instead of constantly replacing the old orders with new ones, allowing you to order your planes to follow a circuitous path rather than a straight line path.

To address the perceived weakness evasive maneuvers, try having the squadrons going to some point near your carrier before ordering them to return to your ship. This can be queued by holding the shift key, clicking to some point near your carrier and then pressing F. This orders the planes to go to the point, and then return to the carrier.

[Herr_Reitz]

Tons of goodness here - I am slowly getting the hang of it - however it is a huge challenge when your fighter aircraft get obliterated by double fighter groups from the red side. Happens when they agree to patrol/attack together in a 2v2 carrier setup. I find those the most vicious carrier matches. 

 

Second rough point for me was match start... I used to send out my fighter, followed by DB then TB - when I have at least a 1:1:1 load. Nowadays I initially set my fighter to defend my carrier. Launch my DB first, send it to scout 30-45 degrees off the largest group of friendlies advancing. Finally I launch my TB and attach them to the carrier as well.

 

First minute or so of the match I do some aggressive scouting with the DB. I have the fighter back defending me in case of a rush by the reds. Oh - I usually try to move with my forces without overextending. I try to support those DD hunting by scouting ahead. When it's possible I take out or at least damage the ships nearest to my allies. 

 

That's about it for my new carrier strategy. Funny thing is... I'm starting to find I like playing carriers. Have the Independence and Zuho - in fact have USN tiers 4-6 and IJN tiers 4-5 working on 6. 

 

And indeed - having that XP (or Free XP) to ensure those upgrades before you play makes a whopping world of difference. But back to the UI...

 

I find I like the mini-map zoomed to max. Problem comes when you need to interact on the map itself. The mini-map is in the way - as are some of the left-hand UI elements as well. I'd really like to see the minimap and map swap places I do believe... or have an option to try it. 

[Strachwitz666]

12 hours ago, sulghunter331 said:

 

6. By pressing the number associated with the desired squadron. That is, with the 1/1/1 load out, your fighters would be the "1" key, your torpedo bombers the "2" key, and your dive bombers the "3" key. If you had a 2/0/2 load out, fighter squad 1 would be the "1" key, while fighter squad 2 would be "2", and dive bomber squad 1 would be "3", and bomber squad 2 would be "4".

 

2.3.4 , 1 is the ship

I don't do em, , speed(turn around time) is too important, along with faster bombers can dodge or  get away from danger- fighters and get over friendly AA faster  losing 30% speed  there bad idea, in already slower bombers, IMO

[Reymu]

12 hours ago, Herr_Reitz said:

Tons of goodness here - I am slowly getting the hang of it - however it is a huge challenge when your fighter aircraft get obliterated by double fighter groups from the red side. Happens when they agree to patrol/attack together in a 2v2 carrier setup. I find those the most vicious carrier matches. 

 

Second rough point for me was match start... I used to send out my fighter, followed by DB then TB - when I have at least a 1:1:1 load. Nowadays I initially set my fighter to defend my carrier. Launch my DB first, send it to scout 30-45 degrees off the largest group of friendlies advancing. Finally I launch my TB and attach them to the carrier as well.

 

First minute or so of the match I do some aggressive scouting with the DB. I have the fighter back defending me in case of a rush by the reds. Oh - I usually try to move with my forces without overextending. I try to support those DD hunting by scouting ahead. When it's possible I take out or at least damage the ships nearest to my allies. 

 

That's about it for my new carrier strategy. Funny thing is... I'm starting to find I like playing carriers. Have the Independence and Zuho - in fact have USN tiers 4-6 and IJN tiers 4-5 working on 6. 

 

And indeed - having that XP (or Free XP) to ensure those upgrades before you play makes a whopping world of difference. But back to the UI...

 

I find I like the mini-map zoomed to max. Problem comes when you need to interact on the map itself. The mini-map is in the way - as are some of the left-hand UI elements as well. I'd really like to see the minimap and map swap places I do believe... or have an option to try it. 

I do not want you coming to T9 and knocking me off my pedestal 

Note that your DB and TB, if want to attack early, are slower; during mid-tiers, it's a viable tactic to send TB (I went IJN) to scout, then send fighters up next, lastly DB since not too important in damage role. Plus fighters can catch up.

 

Park your DB on the DDs to make them smoke early too. They rarely can ignore it.

 

Minimap you can zoom in and out using the numpad + and - keys. Dunno if default is max zoomed out.

 

As to the interface, I would appreciate letting the mouse cursor send commands and whatnot through the ribbons, chat window, and etc. Otherwise it works fine for me.

[Herr_Reitz]

4 hours ago, Reymu said:

I do not want you coming to T9 and knocking me off my pedestal 

Note that your DB and TB, if want to attack early, are slower; during mid-tiers, it's a viable tactic to send TB (I went IJN) to scout, then send fighters up next, lastly DB since not too important in damage role. Plus fighters can catch up.

 

Park your DB on the DDs to make them smoke early too. They rarely can ignore it.

 

Minimap you can zoom in and out using the numpad + and - keys. Dunno if default is max zoomed out.

 

As to the interface, I would appreciate letting the mouse cursor send commands and whatnot through the ribbons, chat window, and etc. Otherwise it works fine for me.

 

Oh not to worry - the strategy sounds good on paper but boy, following through? Phew. It'll be a good while before I get top tiers... for me right now, I want both Tier VI carriers so I can do the manual stuff. It really is too bad you can't do it at 4/5... 

 

I might try swapping the DB for TB... see how that works for me. Thanks ;-) 

[Reymu]

4 hours ago, Herr_Reitz said:

 

Oh not to worry - the strategy sounds good on paper but boy, following through? Phew. It'll be a good while before I get top tiers... for me right now, I want both Tier VI carriers so I can do the manual stuff. It really is too bad you can't do it at 4/5... 

 

I might try swapping the DB for TB... see how that works for me. Thanks ;-) 

 

I oughta buy Ryujo, get in same match, and tell you to kill a particular BB on my team so we can be excellent friends 

 

Side note: where's the troll face?