Coupla questions: Hellfires & targeting

[Rapid]

If the Hellfire homes in on fixed GPS coordinates, why then do you have to stay locked on the target until the missile hits? Seems to take a long time, during which enemies meanwhile shoot at you. Also, the manual says targeting under "cycle" mode is automatic, and seems to say that the target indicator will switch to the next target on the shootlist once the current one is destroyed. But I have to do both manually, i.e. click a button or key to activate lock and switch to new target. Am I doing something wrong? Also, one more thing (okay that's 3 questions, sorrry); the target stays locked for a second or two after it's destroyed, and sometimes this is enough to get you killed. Is this a bug and can it be fixed? Thanks!

[Reaper]

Go to controles make sure you have cycle targets checked and not nearest target.If you use a joy stick make sure its calibrated and programed the way you want it. if you have another joy stick try it. some work alittle differant.

[Rapid]

Reaper, do you mean next target in cycle mode should be locked automatically? I wouldn't have to select it myself?

[Rapid]

Also can anyone help me with that question about having to stay locked until the Hellfire hits its target? Sometimes takes five seconds or so, that's way too long when people are shooting at you.

[Reaper]

Rapid check your U2U
Reaper

[Rapid]

Be happy to, but what is a U2U? If it means manual, did that, was no help though.

[Reaper]

U2U is your message box here. click on it on the bottom of your post. I left you a message.

[Edited on 10-22-2002 by Reaper]

[Rapid]

Aha!! I'll check out your tip, thanks!

[NT]

So, what is it? I've got the same problem as you do Rapid. Want to share the info?

[Rapid]

NT, actually I haven't had time to work with Reapers's tip since then. He said "go to ops see target mode check cycle targets. If you keep your lock on, It should do what you want.i prefer to pick my targets. but it should lock from one target to the next." But based on previous exp I don't think that's the problem anyway. I'm pretty sure I've done that, set my target mode for cycle targets; but still I have to manually change from one to the next, i.e. hit a button on my joystick - it doesn't do it automatically. I shoot the locked target, the lock (green circle) goes off when he's dead, then nothing else happens unless I press the button. Sounds like a trivial thing (after all how hard is it to push a button?), but the manual says it's supposed to lock next target on the shoot list automatically and lord knows I've got my hands full dodging incoming without having to manually search the next target too.

Re: hellfires, I'm skeptical that's how they work in real life. If you get a GPS lock on a target, you should be able to "fire and forget" (assuming the target isn't moving, of course). The missile should head for the last coordinates targeted whether you're still locked on 'em or not. Staying locked with a hellfire, a LOT can happen in the few seconds until it hits - all of it bad! For instance…. (see my next post).

[Reaper]

Hell fires have to stay locked till it destroys the target. But you can drop the lock, then lock it again if you move fast enough. The reason I don't think its a game error, Is ive seen a cheat to address it. As far as the cycle targets. Locking , Alot depinds on the way you attack. And were the game reads enemy's at. How fast you moving through the targets. How fast your rate of fire is set. My targets do switch, But I have found you use more shots, Than if you use nearest target setting. because you can pull of the target sooner.

[NT]

Thanks guys, just want to know the cycle target lock on the next target (in this case, not lock) behavior is normal, not something wrong with my C4

[Rapid]

Thanks Reaper, yah i know hellfires have to stay locked to hit, i meant in real life I'd be skeptical if they work that way. Also, what do you mean by how fast your rate of fire is set -- is it variable?

[Reaper]

Ya on some controlers it is, So is the repeat rate for your key board.

ok the story with cycling targets is the comp picks the next target for you and its not always the one u want , i use closest and point with the mouse pointer , then lock with the joystick button , cycle targets always works like this , you still have to hit target button to lock another target , same as closest but this locks the closest to crosshairs.

As for the hellfire issue , ive always wondered about gps after reading the manual , but they dont give u much of a hint there do they , I reckon Nova has left this out for some reason like a lot of stuff they gave up on with C4.

But u dont have to lock at all (with any missile) In single player modes i used to fire of my two hellfires before i could get an active lock on the enemy - making sure my crosshairs were still aimed in the direction of the target then lock when close enough - and boom! the hellfires r right there (this is if the target is moving) if not i just passive target from over 1000m away , just guide em in with the crosshairs.

In response to reapers answer i cant see how the cycle target criteria would detect the rate of fire you have macros set to on your stick , but it would judge not only the closest target but the biggest threat at the time u hit target (fastest inbound + closest target + closest to firing = your next target) this is always changing so u can never really know where the comp will target next (in a pack of enemies)

You'd be much better off learning how to target with your mouse in closest target mode , Apart from being able to passive target with the mouse (free look mode) , you'll be able to pick your target with pinpoint accuracy

Hope this helps some of the new pilots to the game

[Edited on 1-2-2003 by Shadow<<SAS>>]