FaTs any use? | Forums

[Tontoman666]

Just entering Jan 43 so FaTs are now available.
Are they any use?

For me the impact on ships is a little all or nothing (non modded) with torpedo hits. Either it blows up and sinks (too often), or gets hit and lists a little but doesn't drop in speed (too little effect). Doesn't seem to be enough non explosions but with crippled slow ships.

Only hits to the engine (which usually makes it blow up anyway) or hits to the props (rare)that cause the drastic slowdowns which enable you to pick it off later as it falls behind the convoy. In a random FaT hit I would expect these hits to be rare.

So I'm thinking a FaT probably a waste as if it does get a ship during it's ladder pattern.. it's most likely that ship carries merrily along and no credit to you.
T.

[Tontoman666]

Just entering Jan 43 so FaTs are now available.
Are they any use?

For me the impact on ships is a little all or nothing (non modded) with torpedo hits. Either it blows up and sinks (too often), or gets hit and lists a little but doesn't drop in speed (too little effect). Doesn't seem to be enough non explosions but with crippled slow ships.

Only hits to the engine (which usually makes it blow up anyway) or hits to the props (rare)that cause the drastic slowdowns which enable you to pick it off later as it falls behind the convoy. In a random FaT hit I would expect these hits to be rare.

So I'm thinking a FaT probably a waste as if it does get a ship during it's ladder pattern.. it's most likely that ship carries merrily along and no credit to you.
T.

[AO1_AW_SW_USN]

The only real drawback is that the FaT I torps is essentially a Ge7 Type I and leaves a visible trail of bubbles on the surface for your targets to observe.

The FaT II toprs that comes a little later alleviates this at the cost of range. The FaT II's (according to the game manual) was developed for pursuing escorts, but this isn't feasible due to the pattern that they run within the game. At least I haven't had any success with this tactic.

But, attacking a convoy in bad weather with conventional torps is very difficult if not impossible without exposing yourself to a risk of collision at sea. This is where the FaT I and FaT II shines because you can launch from a distance and still have a good chance for a hit.

By reading the Fat Manual (and other various post thoughout this forum on FaT torps), you can get an idea on how you can decide if using these highly useful weapons is right for you.

Personally I love the FaT and prefer it over other conventional torps.

[Foehammer-1]

Also, this depends what realism you play with. If you are close to 100%, later in the war you'd want to stay well away from convoys, increasing chances of misses. that's where the FaT's come in. If you play at low realism (automatic targetting), you'll rarely miss anyway, so there is no strong need for FaT's

[Tontoman666]

What about the effect of FaTs on the ships they hit. For anything larger than the small merchants one hit that is not in a critical area is basically useless. Ship can be listing or burning away but will easily keep up with the convoy. I can easily see launching four FaTs and getting four different hits with no ships sunk and no crippled ships I can finish off later. But yeah I can see once you can't get close to the convoy anymore, I guess you take what you can get and FaTs help a little.

It's not really an issue with the FaTs but with the way ship damage works. Too much on the explosion side and no enough on the crippling side.

T.

[Foehammer-1]

You see, if you have a column of C3's, you can safely set a depth of 10 meters and shoot. If it hits something, its gonna be another C3 under-keel detonation

[3.JG51_Molders]

I remember FaT's from SH2 and how they run a ladder or circle pattern. I've tried this in online MP games against convoys at 100% and it seems to pay off. If I aim for the lead merchant and miss, theres a chance it could hit something else, but also the equal chance of bounching off. Its well worth it compared to a Type I or II.

[vanjast]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tontoman666:
Are they any use?
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Sinking ships ???

[Jose.MaC]

An your sub, of course! :P

[wessenhammer]

With FATS I seem to get alot of disabled ships which I really like in convoy attacks, my usual load out right now is to load 4 fats steamers on the bow and all the reloads being 'a' steamers firing at 4-5k and 8mtr depth setting and usually getting 3 hits the first salvo using long leg and firing when the convoy is well south of my position attacking the center column, once they start zigging around and slowing down by the time they get to my position i've reloaded , I can get a near 90deg solution I just let loose with a 6degree spread from 2k+ and score 2-4 more hits. Once I had 5 disabled ships sitting there with 3 escorts running around, then 2 then 1 then none, back off and surface to reload, blast from 4k with the deck gun if possible if not submerge and take my time sinking first the ships that have been able to get some propulsion back then the rest of the ducks.