There is no "proper target" for a warhead, but there are appropriate targets. Just because larger warheads aren't particularly effective against smaller ships doesn't mean that smaller warheads aren't effective against larger ships. The Gladiator doesn't have Size 9 warheads. The Gladiator's largest warheads are Size 5s. I use the largest warheads that the Gladiator has against the largest targets I know I can kill with my Gladiator. Now, as I said earlier, this isn't a hard rule. There are exceptions, where I will use certain warheads against certain high-signature targets.
I would like to request further clarification on the MOM's green target reticle, specifically about the orientation, said green circle moves with the target, what if i want to land my missiles over the top of the target ship? how and where should i point to? i heard that for cross section missiles i should keep the mouse at the target, is it true?
Im 1 month in game, those who i ask about missiles told me 2 things:
- Quantity over Quality: fill up S1 missiles. I not always follow this, but often enough.
- EM missiles are the only type worth to use. I do follow this always.
Was i miss-guided?
Additionally, if im not troubling much, i would like to request explanation about the Bomb targeting system, i've tried the C2 bombing, it shows 2 circles in the ground, idk what they are for, kinda managed to hit the target after several tries by the old trial-error method, but instruction would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Blue Mystic, I'm really glad you found it informative!
To answer your first question about the MOM targeting reticle and orientation, if your intention is to have the missile arc above your target and then come down on top of it (think like how a Javelin missile has a mode that enables it to fly straight up and then come straight down at the top of a main battle tank), I think it depends much more on the orientation of your ship in relation to your target than the exact placement of the cursor. Star Citizen influencer 11's Hangar has a video where he uses head-tracking to do something very similar, causing his missiles to arc sharply and strike targets from oblique angles. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/tKBQ9cRhHlY?si=T9i2lNCgDfi-bYrO&t=181
Regarding your other two questions, it really depends on what your missile goals are. I believe I provided the formula in my post, but basically you want your missiles to be your target's "ship Size minus 1". So if you're trying to kill a Hornet, which is a Size 2 ship, then you'd want to go with Size 1 missiles. But if you're trying to kill a Constellation, a Size 4 ship, you should be able to effectively use Size 3 missiles. The larger the ship gets, the less the "minus 1" rule matters and the more it becomes about what kind of warhead is being used. For example, a Hammerhead is a Size 5 ship and Size 5 torpedoes generally don't have a problem with striking it.
As for whether or not EM missiles are the only type worth using, there's some nuance that needs to be considered. The reason EM missiles tend to work so well is that usually your opponent is trying to engage you. Since EM is generated by systems that are in use, any ship that's aggressively maneuvering, charging its shields, and firing its weapons are going to generate a huge EM signature. That's likely why so many players tend to find that EM missiles work so well. But EM signatures also dissipate extremely fast.
Further, if you're attempting a first strike on a target that's not doing very much, you may find that IR or CS missiles are just as effective. There's also cost to consider; IR missiles are by far the cheapest, and as a result it may be worth bringing a rack of them along just incase you need to dumbfire some of them at surface targets like infantry.
So I don't think you were misguided as much as you were given just very basic advice that's "good enough" in the most common situations players are currently encountering in the game. Certainly, EM missiles are ideal for something like Arena Commander, but as combat environments expand in the PU, you're may increasingly find that such general advice doesn't meet your needs.
Finally, about bombing. A bombing guide is on my list of guides to write up, but I wasn't planning to very soon. But if I remember right, the first circle--which I think is green--is the target area that you want to hit. The other circle is where your bomb will actually hit. Star Citizen influencer TieJax has a pretty good video explanation of it, here: https://youtu.be/mUIACMIkrW4?si=sQmXvkgx4y9GqYzG&t=139
Another prime example of someone who only looks at this game via spreadsheets instead of actually playing the game.
Great guide! learn couple things i did not knew.
I would like to request further clarification on the MOM's green target reticle, specifically about the orientation, said green circle moves with the target, what if i want to land my missiles over the top of the target ship? how and where should i point to? i heard that for cross section missiles i should keep the mouse at the target, is it true?
Im 1 month in game, those who i ask about missiles told me 2 things:
- Quantity over Quality: fill up S1 missiles. I not always follow this, but often enough.
- EM missiles are the only type worth to use. I do follow this always.
Was i miss-guided?
Additionally, if im not troubling much, i would like to request explanation about the Bomb targeting system, i've tried the C2 bombing, it shows 2 circles in the ground, idk what they are for, kinda managed to hit the target after several tries by the old trial-error method, but instruction would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again for a great guide!
Hi Blue Mystic, I'm really glad you found it informative!
To answer your first question about the MOM targeting reticle and orientation, if your intention is to have the missile arc above your target and then come down on top of it (think like how a Javelin missile has a mode that enables it to fly straight up and then come straight down at the top of a main battle tank), I think it depends much more on the orientation of your ship in relation to your target than the exact placement of the cursor. Star Citizen influencer 11's Hangar has a video where he uses head-tracking to do something very similar, causing his missiles to arc sharply and strike targets from oblique angles. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/tKBQ9cRhHlY?si=T9i2lNCgDfi-bYrO&t=181
Regarding your other two questions, it really depends on what your missile goals are. I believe I provided the formula in my post, but basically you want your missiles to be your target's "ship Size minus 1". So if you're trying to kill a Hornet, which is a Size 2 ship, then you'd want to go with Size 1 missiles. But if you're trying to kill a Constellation, a Size 4 ship, you should be able to effectively use Size 3 missiles. The larger the ship gets, the less the "minus 1" rule matters and the more it becomes about what kind of warhead is being used. For example, a Hammerhead is a Size 5 ship and Size 5 torpedoes generally don't have a problem with striking it.
As for whether or not EM missiles are the only type worth using, there's some nuance that needs to be considered. The reason EM missiles tend to work so well is that usually your opponent is trying to engage you. Since EM is generated by systems that are in use, any ship that's aggressively maneuvering, charging its shields, and firing its weapons are going to generate a huge EM signature. That's likely why so many players tend to find that EM missiles work so well. But EM signatures also dissipate extremely fast.
Further, if you're attempting a first strike on a target that's not doing very much, you may find that IR or CS missiles are just as effective. There's also cost to consider; IR missiles are by far the cheapest, and as a result it may be worth bringing a rack of them along just incase you need to dumbfire some of them at surface targets like infantry.
So I don't think you were misguided as much as you were given just very basic advice that's "good enough" in the most common situations players are currently encountering in the game. Certainly, EM missiles are ideal for something like Arena Commander, but as combat environments expand in the PU, you're may increasingly find that such general advice doesn't meet your needs.
Finally, about bombing. A bombing guide is on my list of guides to write up, but I wasn't planning to very soon. But if I remember right, the first circle--which I think is green--is the target area that you want to hit. The other circle is where your bomb will actually hit. Star Citizen influencer TieJax has a pretty good video explanation of it, here: https://youtu.be/mUIACMIkrW4?si=sQmXvkgx4y9GqYzG&t=139
I hope my answers help! Happy hunting!