Rifled naval guns??? how much of an improvement

[handyman24602]

Hi,

Just wondering what the rifled naval gun upgrade does in the game?

The explanation deosnt really go into detail other than saying they are enabled.

I assume the effective range of all guns on all ships is increased????

Does anyone know for certain (not just reading back the tech description)?

Thanks

[Deathofjams]

I think it means that whilst the guns don't actually fire further, the accuracy towards to edge of the range is greater. So it's effectively an accuracy boost at long range.

But I may be wrong.

[SGT Grimm 978]

increases something by 5%... woohoo....

[nostradamouse]

increases something by 5%... woohoo....

Which is actually quite a lot...

[Fubar4fun]

Here is something found on the subject. Can only hope the game designers took it into consideration:

"Frequently overlooked, however, is that smoothbores were superior to rifles in the naval combat of the day, in the view of many. Rifles had longer ranges and greater accuracy, but in a war where most actions were fought at close quarters, this advantage was mostly nullified. Furthermore, smoothbores had greater smashing power, and their projectiles could be skipped ("ricochet fire") over the surface of the water to better ensure a hull hit. Rifle projectiles could not do this; they would either burrow into the water or bounce off it wildly due to their spin. Further, metallurgy of the time was not equal to the task, and rifles burst with distressing frequency."

(from http://www.wideopenwest.com/~jenkins/ironclads/ironguns.htm)

[ohnoesaz]

Here is something found on the subject. Can only hope the game designers took it into consideration:

"Frequently overlooked, however, is that smoothbores were superior to rifles in the naval combat of the day, in the view of many. Rifles had longer ranges and greater accuracy, but in a war where most actions were fought at close quarters, this advantage was mostly nullified. Furthermore, smoothbores had greater smashing power, and their projectiles could be skipped ("ricochet fire") over the surface of the water to better ensure a hull hit. Rifle projectiles could not do this; they would either burrow into the water or bounce off it wildly due to their spin. Further, metallurgy of the time was not equal to the task, and rifles burst with distressing frequency."

(from http://www.wideopenwest.com/~jenkins/ironclads/ironguns.htm)

Unfortunately your description is for the real-world, and CA did not follow much with the real world when designing this game. The description you posted is neat but does not apply to the lack-of-depth-mess that is Empire: Total War.

[marceror]

increases something by 5%... woohoo....

Um, there were two things being discussed right before you posted, accuracy and range. Your post didn't specify which of those increases by 5%. Care to clarify? I'm intersted in knowing.