                              Command : TORPEDO

NAME
   torpedo - Slip a torpedo to some poor sucker (from a sub or ship)

Level: Basic

SYNTAX
   [##:##] Command : torpedo <submarine-SHIPS> <target-SHIP>

The torpedo command is used to shoot other naval vessels in a sneaky manner.

The <target-SHIP> argument is the victim ship number and the <submarine-SHIPS>
argument is the number(s) of your submarine  or  other  ship(s)  with  torpedo
ability.   The program will ask for these if not provided on the command line.
If using the multi-fire option, the program will prompt for targets  for  EACH
firing torpedo ship, if no target was given on the command line.

Your <submarine-SHIPS> must meet the following criteria:
   1) It must have torpedo ability. (see info show)
   2) It must have at least 1 gun (torpedo tube)
   3) It must have at least 3 shells (3 shells = 1 torpedo)
   4) It must be at least 60% efficient
   5) It must have some mobility
Meeting  all  these  criteria, your torpedo will be launched toward the victim
ship and a countdown of seconds until the expected detonation will commence.

The range of a torpedo depends on the type of sub, and its  tech  level.  Cur-
rently the range formula looks like this:
        (frng) * (tech+50)/(tech+200)

        [Note: frng comes from show ship capability]

If the target is out of range, you will be told so, (after your torp is in the
water).  See "info Hitchance" for the chance of a torpedo hitting its  target.

If  the target ship is not in a direct line of sight but in range, the torpedo
will slam into land and you will be notified.  Note that the victim ship  will
still see the torpedo being launched and can return a depth charge attack (see
below.)

A hit will be reported to you as "BOOM!", See "info  Damage"  for  the  damage
that a torpedo does.

In  order  to simulate the "real-time" situation, your mobility will be decre-
mented by mobility equal to 1/2 the cost the torpedo-ship would pay to move  a
sector  for  each  torpedo  fired;  if it goes to zero (or beyond) you will be
forced to stick around.  If your torpedo scores a hit,  your  victim  will  be
informed  of the fact and will be told the number of the torpedo-ship, but not
the country (so you can deny it).

The victim's only automatic protection against sub attacks is that any ship of
his/hers  that  is  near  you and has depth-charge ability and has shells will
drop them on you as depth charges.  Each depth charge does 10% to  40%  damage
to  your  sub,  depending  on  the  armor  of  the  sub,  and the range of the
destroyer.

The range a ship can depth charge at is the same as its gun range.

Against surface ships launching torpedo attacks, the victim gets to  fire  all
his  ships & sectors within range at the attackers BEFORE the attackers get to
fire. Damage done by all defending ships is divided evenly over all  attacking
ships.

SEE ALSO
   attack, assault, fire, Combat, Ships

