Targeting: Difference between revisions

[[File:Target_overview.png|thumb|right|Target using the overview]]

[[File:Multiple-targets.png|thumb|right|Multiple targets locked]]

[[File:hud2.png|thumb|right|HUD with combat icon. CTRL-click the combat icon to target the ship which is using a warp scrambler on you.]]

[[File:Target_radial_menu.png|thumb|right|Target using the radial menu]]

[[File:Fitting_screen.png|thumb|right|The ship fitting screen]]

You can lock several targets at once (up to the [[Targeting#Number_of_targets_locked|maximum defined by your skills and the ship you're flying]]), which will appear as a series of circles. Each target icon shows:

* If you have activated modules (e.g. weapons or [[EWAR|electronic warfare]] modules), these will show up as icons below the target. You can click these icons to deactivate the module active on that particular target.  

:<math> \displaystyle\text{Targeting time} = \frac{40000 \,\text{m} }{ \text{Scan resolution} \times \operatorname{arcsinh}^2(\text{Signature radius}) } </math>

| X&nbsp;(in&nbsp;mm)||Scan resolution of your ship

| Y&nbsp;(in&nbsp;m)||Signature radius of the target

The lines on the graph represent a few different ships, and the horizontal axis the signature radius of the target ship. As an example (using the ships' base values, without changes due to modules, skills, or implants), a [[Kestrel]] (attack frigate)  can lock on to a [[Typhoon]] (battleship) in 1.5 seconds, whereas the same Typhoon will take 19 seconds to lock on to the Kestrel. [[Interceptor]]s have some of the highest scan resolutions; the [[Stiletto]] on the graph above can lock onto almost anything in under two seconds. Conversely, ships with very small signature radii (such as the [[shuttle]] on the graph above) have more time before an enemy locks on to them (9 seconds when being targeted by an Omen, 23 seconds when being targeted by a Typhoon).  

** '''Sensor Booster''' (medium slot): Increases your ship's targeting range and scan resolution. Can be loaded with [[scripts]] to give either a bonus to both, or a larger bonus to one (at the expense of no bonus to the other); for more details, see [[EWar_101_Guide#Sensor_Booster_.28sebo.29|sensor booster]].

* Help from fleetmates (using [[EWar_101_Guide#Remote_Sensor_Booster|remote sensor boosters]])

You can also increase your target's signature radius with [[EWar_101_Guide#Target_Painting_.28TP.29|target painters]], although targeting is rarely the primary reason target painters are used. Note that there are a few modules which reduce your scan resolution, notably [[cloaking|cloaking devices]] (-50% scan resolution; ''covert ops'' cloaking devices don't have this drawback) and warp core stabilisers (-50% scan resolution).

Conversely, in PvP, you want to minimise your signature radius, so that your opponent takes a long time to lock on to you (giving you time to get a few shots off, or to escape). There are almost no direct ways of reducing your ship's signature radius (other than flying a different ship and some implants), so be mindful of the modules which increase it (for instance, turning on your microwarpdrive (MWD) increases your signature radius by 500%). For more discussion on what affects signature radius, see [[signature radius]], keeping in mind that a small signature radius also helps with reducing incoming damage (for more details, see [[Missile Damage|missile damage]] and [[Turret Damage|turret damage]]).  

You can also handicap an opponent by decreasing their scan resolution using [[EWar_101_Guide#Remote_Sensor_Dampening_.28damps.2C_RSD.29|remote sensor dampening]] (making them take longer to lock on to you) or use [[EWar_101_Guide#Electronic_Counter_Measures_.28ECM.29|ECM]] to make them lose lock on you completely. These topics (including possible countermeasures) are covered in much greater detail at [[EWar 101 Guide]] and [[ECM Guide]].

* '''Sensor Booster''' (medium slot): Increases targeting range and scan resolution. Can be loaded with scripts to give either a bonus to both, or a larger bonus to one (at the expense of no bonus to the other); for more details, see [[EWar_101_Guide#Sensor_Booster_.28sebo.29|sensor booster]].

Lastly, rigs (e.g. Ionic Field Projector) and implants (e.g. Zainou 'Gypsy' Long Range Targeting) can boost targeting range even further, as can help from a fleetmate (using a [[EWar_101_Guide#Remote_Sensor_Booster|remote sensor booster]]).  

Very long targeting ranges are the foundation of ships fitted for sniping, but targeting at longer ranges than your weapons' effective range is a waste, not to mention that the targeting modules are taking up space which would otherwise be used for, for instance, tanking modules - so increasing targeting range is always a trade-off. Certain modules (such as warp core stabilisers) greatly decrease your targeting range. Lastly, you can use [[EWar_101_Guide#Remote_Sensor_Dampening_.28damps.2C_RSD.29|remote sensor dampening]] to greatly reduce your enemy's targeting range.  

Auto Targeting Systems are rarely used, as they take up a valuable high slot and stop you from prioritising targets - although some pilots use them merely for their +2 target bonus (provided they have a spare high slot) or to reduce the workload on E-War ships. Passive Targeters have a niche use, as they allow you to use non-aggressive modules (eg cargo or ship scanners) on a target without alerting the target - for instance, in order to check what cargo a ship is carrying and whether it's worth suicide ganking. To use a passive targeter, activate the module, then click on the target you would like to lock.