How to use bomb ketches

**S-te-Fan** · April 01, 2009, 11:53 AM

Like the title says... how? I really can't use them effectively.

**ONI NavSpecWar** · April 01, 2009, 12:55 PM

Step 1: Point at enemy
Step 2: Shoot
Step 3: is the enemy ship sunk? (Yes move to 4 no repeat 2 until)
Step 4: find another enemy
Step 5: Repeat

**S-te-Fan** · April 01, 2009, 01:23 PM

Ah.. but it doesn't work at my game like that. The mortars always miss and do little damage.

**Ataraxie** · April 01, 2009, 01:33 PM

They were really meant for bombarding land targets, so without any coastal bombardment option in-game, putting them in as a unit at all seems a mite redundant.

**Generaal Van Heutsz** · April 01, 2009, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by stefaneke

Ah.. but it doesn't work at my game like that. The mortars always miss and do little damage.

I havent bothered building them yet but my guess is that it might be that the volumetric effects bug also effects the bomb ketch damage. Turn off the volumetric effets in the graphic options and see if it makes any difference

**SGT Grimm 978** · April 01, 2009, 01:56 PM

I never used them. bottom line, not enough firepower.

**Freodin** · April 01, 2009, 02:04 PM

They seem to be quite effective at reducing and panicking the enemy´s crews.

At least, they have that effect on my ships when I oppose them.

**eatme** · April 01, 2009, 02:12 PM

The only slightly successfull usage I found for them:

When I have a fleet engaging line-to-line with enemy, or in a semi-circle in respect to the enemy's position, having 1-2 ketch pukers =) may help to create a pressure point at the enemy formation.

They fire slowly and miss a lot, but if it gets an enemy ship on fire or just lands couple of solid hits, the chances are high that the enemy ship will route.

Does it help any ? =)

**Mr Longbowman** · April 01, 2009, 02:20 PM

I find Rocket ships better in every way, especially in larger numbers. My current Navy consists of 6 Third Rates and 14 Rocket Ships and I win every battle

**guerra** · April 01, 2009, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Longbowman

I find Rocket ships better in every way, especially in larger numbers. My current Navy consists of 6 Third Rates and 14 Rocket Ships and I win every battle

You must play some terrible players. I could massacre that fleet.

**Aykis16** · April 01, 2009, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by guerra

You must play some terrible players. I could massacre that fleet.

He plays the AI

**Mr Longbowman** · April 02, 2009, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by guerra

You must play some terrible players. I could massacre that fleet.

Well actually I play the AI, no idea how it would work online

**fluffstalker** · April 01, 2009, 02:26 PM

Pointless ships, as whatever they can do , rocket ships do better, and what they were made to do, they cant even do, that is bombard shore targets. Just leave them at home until CA or more likely a resident mod come up with way to let you use navy in land engagements, which will help encourage actually building them.

**S-te-Fan** · April 01, 2009, 02:32 PM

You can get bomb ketches much earlier then rocket ships...

**Lubeck** · April 01, 2009, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by stefaneke

You can get bomb ketches much earlier then rocket ships...

That doesn't mean their total lack of usefulness is changed.

Well maybe not TOTAL but it is a wasted spot in a fleet.

**Hannibolico** · April 01, 2009, 06:46 PM

I find them quite effecitive and fun to use actually. They have a much greater range than other ships and you don't have to manage them much.
Think of them as artillery at sea. Just take 2 bomb ketches, target an enemy ship with them, and leave them alone for a while. I've seen them start major fires, and knock down masts within a few shots. When their shots miss they don't do anything, but when their shots are slightly on target the explode like a howitzer or mortar shell. I don't think they're for use on their own, they definitely don't have enough firepower for that, but they can certainly add something to a fleet for a small amount of money.
Rocket ships are better though i think, i haven't used them as much. Try to hit enemy ships when their sails are full with the rocket ships. A rocket in the sails can start a fire very easily

**guerra** · April 03, 2009, 12:43 AM

Oh a monkey with an eyepatch could beat the AI.

Multiplayer is the real challenge.

**Kazang** · April 03, 2009, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by guerra

Oh a monkey with an eyepatch could beat the AI.

Multiplayer is the real challenge.

I find that the AI on VH is more challenging than the majority of online players, albeit for the wrong reasons given the stat bonus.

A lot people (including me) find the single mode of mutliplayer, which is simplistic and borderline insulting to call it a feature, half finished and generally not very entertaining.