When to use torpedoes?

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FrancoisPhilidor
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When to use torpedoes?

Post by FrancoisPhilidor »

Hi,
there's one thing that's still not making sense to me.
When is it good to use torpedoes on cruisers and destroyers?
Somehow the effect is never better than using the regular guns.

Thanks
JoaoLuisAngelo
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Re: When to use torpedoes?

Post by JoaoLuisAngelo »

I've only tried the US ships, so my experience is limited.
In the US Pacific campaign the only ships that have torpedoes are the destroyers (I don't have a use for submarines).
Alas the destroyers' guns are pretty ineffective against cruisers or battleships (0+ at best).
The torpedoes however advertise (and usually deliver) 1+ to 2 damage and it looks as if the closer the distance the better i.e. point-blank seems to work the best.
Against destroyers torpedoes are supposed to be ineffective: destroyers have a trait that makes them either immune or take less damage.
FrancoisPhilidor
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Re: When to use torpedoes?

Post by FrancoisPhilidor »

JoaoLuisAngelo wrote: Sun Feb 23, 2025 10:42 pm I've only tried the US ships, so my experience is limited.
In the US Pacific campaign the only ships that have torpedoes are the destroyers (I don't have a use for submarines).
Alas the destroyers' guns are pretty ineffective against cruisers or battleships (0+ at best).
The torpedoes however advertise (and usually deliver) 1+ to 2 damage and it looks as if the closer the distance the better i.e. point-blank seems to work the best.
Against destroyers torpedoes are supposed to be ineffective: destroyers have a trait that makes them either immune or take less damage.
I have also Japanese ships in multiplayer, and the torpedoes of cruisers and battle cruisers (they just had to put torpedoes on everything for some reason) seem to have the same values.

Submarine torpedoes the same.

But I find you get the same effect or better once you have been in gun range for one turn.
I just wish torpedoes actually did sth except look cool :D
JoaoLuisAngelo
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Re: When to use torpedoes?

Post by JoaoLuisAngelo »

FrancoisPhilidor wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2025 9:04 pm (...)
I have also Japanese ships in multiplayer, and the torpedoes of cruisers and battle cruisers (they just had to put torpedoes on everything for some reason) seem to have the same values.

Submarine torpedoes the same.

But I find you get the same effect or better once you have been in gun range for one turn.
I just wish torpedoes actually did sth except look cool :D
Ah, yes but when you bring cruisers and battlecruisers/battleships into the mix they do more damage with guns ;)

On the reasoning for Japanese cruisers and battlecruisers/battleships going heavy on torpedoes, may I suggest the Youtubers Drachinifel and Dr. Alexander Clarke? I can't point to any specific video on this subject.
In any case and as a quick explanation the Japanese didn't have the economic and demographic base to match the US and the UK on a quantitative level even when they abandoned the Washington Treaty limitations. Thus they chose to pursue a qualitative advantage on an individual ship level i.e. more powerful ships than their category equivalents either from more and/or larger weapons.
FrancoisPhilidor
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Re: When to use torpedoes?

Post by FrancoisPhilidor »

JoaoLuisAngelo wrote: Tue Feb 25, 2025 10:41 am
FrancoisPhilidor wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2025 9:04 pm (...)
I have also Japanese ships in multiplayer, and the torpedoes of cruisers and battle cruisers (they just had to put torpedoes on everything for some reason) seem to have the same values.

Submarine torpedoes the same.

But I find you get the same effect or better once you have been in gun range for one turn.
I just wish torpedoes actually did sth except look cool :D
Ah, yes but when you bring cruisers and battlecruisers/battleships into the mix they do more damage with guns ;)

On the reasoning for Japanese cruisers and battlecruisers/battleships going heavy on torpedoes, may I suggest the Youtubers Drachinifel and Dr. Alexander Clarke? I can't point to any specific video on this subject.
In any case and as a quick explanation the Japanese didn't have the economic and demographic base to match the US and the UK on a quantitative level even when they abandoned the Washington Treaty limitations. Thus they chose to pursue a qualitative advantage on an individual ship level i.e. more powerful ships than their category equivalents either from more and/or larger weapons.
Ah yes, Drachinifel, I know that channel :-D
Going to subscribe to the other one and see what it's about.

I watch House of History, Hypohystericalhistory, operations room, montemayor, and Kings and Generals (although the last one are more like the tiktok/short attention span - flashy colours version of the other guys. But they have nice maps.
GabeKnight
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Re: When to use torpedoes?

Post by GabeKnight »

Best to use DD's to attack CA or BB with torpedoes while they have not moved on their turn.

Even some CA (e.g. German) have high torpedoe values and can be used to attack other CA or BB.

The closer you get to the target the higher the damage.

PS: I guess most players don't know how to use naval units well; one of the reasons why the "Kriegsmarine" DLC has such low ratings...
FrancoisPhilidor
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Re: When to use torpedoes?

Post by FrancoisPhilidor »

GabeKnight wrote: Thu May 22, 2025 5:21 pm Best to use DD's to attack CA or BB with torpedoes while they have not moved on their turn.

Even some CA (e.g. German) have high torpedoe values and can be used to attack other CA or BB.

The closer you get to the target the higher the damage.

PS: I guess most players don't know how to use naval units well; one of the reasons why the "Kriegsmarine" DLC has such low ratings...
Yeah I found out. Torpedoes should be used from close range.
I think they did an absolutely revolutionary job with the ship mechanics, how to encourage players to play realistically, sail in a line next to each other and keep firing, keep moving etc
Brenmusik
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Re: When to use torpedoes?

Post by Brenmusik »

You should have seen it in the early days, ships shot back :shock:
FrancoisPhilidor
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Re: When to use torpedoes?

Post by FrancoisPhilidor »

Brenmusik wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 2:44 pm You should have seen it in the early days, ships shot back :shock:
Was it better or worse?
I must say with artillery I prefer it slow, once per turn. But not sure about ships
cutydt02
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Re: When to use torpedoes?

Post by cutydt02 »

It's best weapon of smaller ships to bigger ones. In most cases, it's for DDs to deal with CAs, BBs.
Move as fast and as safe as possible, torpedo enemy flag ships, then full speed retreat and shoot enemy DDs till torpedo cooldown. Damaged DDs stay back to repair or hunt subs. It's how i play DDs as screen for my fleet.
FrancoisPhilidor
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Re: When to use torpedoes?

Post by FrancoisPhilidor »

cutydt02 wrote: Fri Aug 22, 2025 3:11 am It's best weapon of smaller ships to bigger ones. In most cases, it's for DDs to deal with CAs, BBs.
Move as fast and as safe as possible, torpedo enemy flag ships, then full speed retreat and shoot enemy DDs till torpedo cooldown. Damaged DDs stay back to repair or hunt subs. It's how i play DDs as screen for my fleet.
Yeah that sounds good. What are some good maps for naval battles?
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