So, I’ve just finished my first arty spotting mission in the latest WOFF version. It was fun. I flew parallel to the area being shelled for about 10-15 minutes. In that time, a few arty barrages fell. I witnessed them all. I messaged the HQ via wireless after each of them. All but the last one missed quite considerably. In the last one, shells 4 and 5 hit the German trench. I made my last (5th) transmission and came home with a satisfied smile on my face. Back at the base, however, I was informed that my flight offered no usable intell. Why? Are there any obscure mechanics behind this mission that I don’t understand? Will a ‘failed’ mission like that impact my promotion chances?

Similar experience on my last Art Obs mission. Messages were rated as wrong location or wrong location and poor visibility. Admittedly there was cloud about...



...but as there isn't really a visually identifiable target that you can keep 'eyes on' or actual shells aimed at it, it's hard to decide when the time is right. It's my understanding that barrages in the vicinity are 'for atmosphere' and are not really directed by the player.

However, it's still my impression the parameters for successful Art Obs messages (and possibly also photos) should be significantly looser. Especially as the sim doesn't precisely mark a visible target that the player can ID and keep in view - and can't tell when the imaginary fall of shot that the message is *later* reporting was or wasn't visible to the player aircraft at the time the shells fell.

In the meantime, my lesson from the last show is to risk it and go below cloud while spotting.

Really do need actual Arty batteries in game now.

Usually best to fly to the target waypoint as marked on the map, at the altitude specified. Zoom in the map, make sure you are over the waypoint when calling in. Although there is a leeway best to rule out error, when reporting. Sometimes the cloud could be in the way when you are reporting, such is life.