Automated torp runs in pvp

[landen99]

I have noticed that there is so much more for carrier pilots to do in pvp that all of the tasks and consideration can be very overwhelming as the players move the battle so quickly in various directions.  With so much to do, it can be very difficult to send the torp planes in during the first half of the game.  Among those tasks are:  

1) Plot ship path according to battle direction,

2) Plot fighter paths around fighter air supremacy moving lines and avoid cruiser areas of air control,

3) Plot torp bombers along safe airways, engage when safe to do so, and abort bombing approach at any moment when the air battle moves near the torp bombers while also watching the previous two points at the same time,

4)  Plot torp manual run on constantly changing ship direction and speed on top constantly re-considering new data from the previous 3 points.

 

With that in mind, point 4 needs some automated assistance for the player on spread and launch distance.  There is a way to do automatic torp runs, but manual torp runs allow for much tighter torp spread and much closer torp launch. In matches against bots this is managable, but it matches against players so much time is spent re-evaluating the field and fighting for air superiority that no time is left for send the torp planes on runs, let alone having to cancel the torp runs to get the planes out and back to safety when swarms of fighters descend upon them. Is there a way to command the torp planes to launch their torps tighter and closer in to the target so that the much taxed time of the carrier pilot can be freed up to manage moving the carrier strategically according to fighting conditions and moving planes to follow the fast moving air superiority and cruiser anti-air conditions as well? I believe that the carrier pilot should be able to select a torp spacing configuration setting (much like for torpedos launched from ships) and a torp release distance config setting.

 

Anyhow, while planes can fly next to each other, they can also fly in a line and in a "v".  Either way, if torp spread can be less using the "alt" key, it should also be an option without the alt key, as should the launch distance also be configurable as with the "alt" key.  The difference would be that with the "alt" key, manual changes to torp launch distance or placement could be made at any time and at the last second.  Either way, carrier pilots have a lot to deal with when the other side are players quickly and constantly changing the direction of battle.

[Peregrinas]

I main CVs and I've never found this to be a problem. Honestly, I think what you are trying to 'solve' is a skill necessary for CVs. If you can't micromanage everything that's going on, maybe CVs aren't for you. Performing a manual torp run shouldn't take more than 5 seconds of your attention. 

[V5_Nautilus]

also.... making a manual torp drop automaticaly assisted defeats the purpose of a manual torp drop.. if thats what you are looking for then just do the derpy auto drops and let them fly on their own

[StooperDave]

I don't have enough experience in CV to really say much. But so far i have had no problem controlling my ship and planes and being effective with both. It takes all of 5 seconds to set a waypoint path at match start, and that should cover you for 3-5 minutes, plenty of time to mess with planes. Don't forget that you can set up waypoints for planes too. useful for scouting out the enemy CV. 

 

The reason why the first half of the game may seem tough to you is that i've noticed, at least with low tier CVs, that its next to impossible to effectively hit targets early on. They are too focused on your planes and don't have to worry about anything else. I've had great luck just playing distraction and pulling my planes back till the ship to ship battle is engaged, then sending in my strike assets when the BBs and even the CVs are tunnel visioned on other things and not watching the map. 

[Mlwestman]

Manual drop is supposed to give greater rewards for greater skill, like using AP for citadels rather than HE. Automating a drop already exists for those who find it too cumbersome, and I doubt we see changes.

[BrushWolf]

Manual drop is supposed to give greater rewards for greater skill, like using AP for citadels rather than HE. Automating a drop already exists for those who find it too cumbersome, and I doubt we see changes.

 

We do have auto drop for TB's and DB's but it is almost useless, the drop is much too far out and the distance should be reduced. Auto drop keeps going from useless to overpowered, in alpha it was useful but easily beaten by your targets if they were watching, in closed it became overpowered and better than manual in some instances and then made even more useless where we are now.

 

Edit: The DB auto drop is actually somewhat useful and if you can master the manual drop for them can quite devastating to cruisers and destroyers.