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== Missile Targeting, Range and Speed == | == Missile Targeting, Range and Speed == | ||
A missile does not so much hit a ship as explode near it. When a missile crosses the [[signature radius]] of its target, it blows up. The speed at which this explosion grows and the maximum size of the explosion determine the amount of damage done to the target. [[File:Qsm_missile_sigrad.gif|frame| | A missile does not so much hit a ship as explode near it. When a missile crosses the [[signature radius]] of its target, it blows up. The speed at which this explosion grows and the maximum size of the explosion determine the amount of damage done to the target. [[File:Qsm_missile_sigrad.gif|frame|right|alt=animation of missile hit|Missile Explodes at Signature Radius]] EVE uses a mathematical equation to compute the precise amount of damage that the explosion does to the ship. The details of what happens when a missile hits are somewhat complicated and are explained in [[Missile Damage]]. | ||
When fired, a missile will leave the launcher and proceed at its best speed until it runs out of fuel. If it encounters the target during that time, it will explode - otherwise it will vanish. The maximum distance that a missile will travel can be found by multiplying the speed of the missile by the number of seconds that it's fuel will last. | When fired, a missile will leave the launcher and proceed at its best speed until it runs out of fuel. If it encounters the target during that time, it will explode - otherwise it will vanish. The maximum distance that a missile will travel can be found by multiplying the speed of the missile by the number of seconds that it's fuel will last. | ||
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Although the terms "range" and "distance" are often used interchangeably, technically, the range answers the question of whether the missile can reach its target: is it "in" or "out" of range. If the target is stationary, then the maximum distance will be the missile's range. Normally, however, the target is moving, and the range depends on this motion. | Although the terms "range" and "distance" are often used interchangeably, technically, the range answers the question of whether the missile can reach its target: is it "in" or "out" of range. If the target is stationary, then the maximum distance will be the missile's range. Normally, however, the target is moving, and the range depends on this motion. | ||
[[File:Qsm_missile_catch1.gif|frame|left|alt=missile catching a fleeing target|Missile Catches Target]] | |||
[[File:Qsm_missile_catch2.gif|frame|left|alt=missile fails to catch a fleeing target|Missile Does Not Catch Target]] | |||
If the target is moving directly away from the missile, then it will take the missile longer to reach the target than it would a stationary one. In fact, if the target is moving fast enough, the missile may not be able to reach it at all - in this case, the target would be considered "out of range." Note that the target does not have to be moving faster than the missile ... just fast enough to stay ahead of the missile until it runs out of fuel. | If the target is moving directly away from the missile, then it will take the missile longer to reach the target than it would a stationary one. In fact, if the target is moving fast enough, the missile may not be able to reach it at all - in this case, the target would be considered "out of range." Note that the target does not have to be moving faster than the missile ... just fast enough to stay ahead of the missile until it runs out of fuel. | ||
If the target is moving directly at the missile, then the missile will reach it much faster than it would reach a stationary target. In this case, the target may be "in range" even when it seems to far away to hit. | If the target is moving directly at the missile, then the missile will reach it much faster than it would reach a stationary target. In this case, the target may be "in range" even when it seems to far away to hit. | ||
In most cases, however, the target will be moving in a curve with regard to the missile ship - possibly in an orbit, possibly curving towards or away from the launch. It is hard to define what "range" means, exactly, in these cases, but as always, the missile will head directly for the target, and it will continue as long as it has fuel. It's path is likely to be some sort of a spiral. | |||
[[File:QSM_missile_orbit.gif|frame|alt=missile hitting an orbiting target|Missile at Orbiting Target]] | [[File:QSM_missile_orbit.gif|frame|alt=missile hitting an orbiting target|Missile at Orbiting Target]] | ||