So exactly why do the Wyoming and the New York not get a spotting plane?

[ForgMaxtor]

I'm guessing this has been brought up before, but as I grind my way up the BB branches of the tech trees, I find myself I'm scratching my head a bit on this one, considering:

 

•  Both their IJN analogs (Myogi and Kongo) get one, at least with the fully upgraded hull.

 

• Both Wyoming and New York historically carried a catapult and floatplane(s).  It looks like Wyoming's were removed in 1931 when she converted to serve as a gunnery training ship, but photos confirm that in the 1920s while she was still serving as a "ship of the line", she definitely had a catapult and plane(s).  New York was fitted with a catapult no later than her 1926-27 refit, and photo evidence suggests she also carried a crane-serviced floatplane (i.e., no catapult) some years prior to this.  New York continued to mount a catapult and floatplane(s) of one kind or another right through the end of her service in 1946.

 

• Neither US BB gets get some other useful consumable in compensation for the lack of a spotter plane.

 

Doesn't seem to me like adding a spotter plane to either ship would horribly imbalance anything.  In fact, since main battery short range is one of the big weaknesses of low-tier US BBs, adding a spotter plane might bring both ships closer to balance for their tier.

 

WRT the Wyoming, general consensus and gameplay stats support  the idea that it's somewhat better than the Myogi, but more because the Myogi kinda sucks than the Wyoming necessarily being OP for Tier IV overall.

 

WRT the New York, consensus definitely seems to be that the Kongo is superior.  So giving the New York her (historically justified) spotter plane should help close the gap between the two ships a bit.

 

So... historical *and* good for gameplay. Why not?

[Prothall]

It is a USA ship. This means it MUST underperform.

 

Did you not get that?

[Lert]

Because they had turret-mounted catapults. The game engine is unable to animate animated objects on top of animated objects.

 

As for not being compensated for not having a spotter plane? That's compensated for in the overall stats.

[Grevester]

I think it's because they had plane launchers put on top of a turret? And they are unable to make the launcher work when put on a turret or something.

 

[StingRayOne]

 

It is a game may be an answer

[Legendary_Typo]

It's not a spotter plane, but there's an upgrade that gives you I think 18km range on the New York, the same upgrade that the IJN doesn't get until tier IX.

[ForgMaxtor]

Because they had turret-mounted catapults. The game engine is unable to animate animated objects on top of animated objects.

 

As for not being compensated for not having a spotter plane? That's compensated for in the overall stats.

 

Seriously?  That's their excuse?  Lameduck with a side of lamesauce.

 

Just kludge the graphic for now and they can update it when they have time.  Not like the current catapult launch animation is particularly amazing eyecandy or anything.  Gameplay trumps eye candy in my book, every day of the week.

 

 It is a game may be an answer

 

Which is why I specifically stated that it seems to me adding the (historically justified) planes would be good for gameplay.

 

 

And I don't see how either ship is "compensated" in the overall stats right now... though:

 

 It's not a spotter plane, but there's an upgrade that gives you I think 18km range on the New York, the same upgrade that the IJN doesn't get until tier IX.

 

Ah; I didn't see that.  OK... maybe.  I still think it would of been bitter to give the NY the damn spotter plane and kludge it by having the plane appear over the turret or whatever right before launch -- whatever they have to do.  Not like many players spend alot of time with the camera right down on deck level of their ship during gameplay anyway so 95% of the time, no one is going to even notice the animation kludge.

 

[Grevester]

 

Seriously?  That's their excuse?  Lameduck with a side of lamesauce.

 

Just kludge the graphic for now and they can update it when they have time.  Not like the current catapult launch animation is particularly amazing eyecandy or anything.  Gameplay trumps eye candy in my book, every day of the week.

 

And I don't see how either ship is "compensated" in the overall stats right now...

So they gave the Wyoming and New York stat compensation for the lack of spotter craft instead of spending time updating the engine for your spotter craft eye candy.

[KingofKings55]

Because they had turret-mounted catapults. The game engine is unable to animate animated objects on top of animated objects.

 

As for not being compensated for not having a spotter plane? That's compensated for in the overall stats.

 

makes sense. All the other spotter/cat fighters launch in the same direction and the same fashion on each and every ship. If they were to put a spotter/cat fighter on top of the turret it would have to launch in which ever direction the turret is facing which would mean having to animate the launch in a TON of different directions and thats not only a tedious project but many players probably wouldn't care if they had one or not. The New York and the Wyoming are fine when played right

[amaROenuZ]

 

Ah; I didn't see that.  OK... maybe.  I still think it would of been bitter to give the NY the damn spotter plane and kludge it by having the plane appear over the turret or whatever right before launch -- whatever they have to do.  Not like many players spend alot of time with the camera right down on deck level of their ship during gameplay anyway so 95% of the time, no one is going to even notice the animation kludge.

 

 

Well. It's worth noting that the IJN gets access to the accuracy module, which in conjunction with their 21km range from the outset makes them perform significantly better at range.

 

Basically the Myogi and Kongo are better at fighting other BBs, whereas the Wyoming and New York can crush Cruisers and DDs with their high maneuverability and shell saturation.

[TheOssifrage]

These are a couple of reasons I can think of:

 

Unable to animate the catapult which was turret mounted (X turret I believe);

The New York has a range upgrade package, boosts it to 18 km which is really good for a tier V Allied battleship;

Long range firepower is the IJN 'thing', so spotters somewhat negate their advantage somewhat. USN BBs are designed as close range brawlers, and have the powerful , well mechanised guns and heavy armour to boot. A fighter would be nice, to help with anti-aircraft performance - with luck, it'll come in the future.