History Main / LeadTheTarget

* In JLA #10 (GrantMorrison era), [[GreenArrow]] (Connor Hawke) uses this to defeat the Hologram [[TheFlash Flash]] of the Revenge Squad.

* In ''AgeOfEmpires 2'', this is actually a researchable upgrade called "Ballistics" which improves the accuracy of your ranged attackers.

* Brendan Fraser brings this up in ''TheMummy Returns'' just before Rachel Weisz is about to cover him with a rifle.

This is called Leading (Or windage), and is a RealLife tactic and training method. It's why you use the flying discus launchers for hunting practice, and is a key element in air-to-air gun combat. VideoGames used to avert this trope with HitScan weapons, which were an AcceptableBreakFromReality because of engine constraints; hitscan weapons didn't so much use "bullets" as simply hurt whatever was under the player's crosshairs at the time, regardless of distance. The alternative was the PainfullySlowProjectile, where the player not only has to lead the target, but actually shoot the bullet ''past'' where the enemy is, so the enemy will indeed walk right into it. But today games are much more complex and realistic, and a more moderate form of leading the target has reasserted itself. Slower projectiles obviously need more lead time, and sniping can be a real nightmare. (The hitscan model is sometimes retained when energy, laser or other lightspeed weapons are available.)

* ''MassEffect 2'' doesn't require you to do this in combat, but at one point you can listen to a gunnery sergeant lecture a pair of soldiers for not leading their targets when firing ship-mounted weapons of mass destruction.
** You don't eyeball it!

This is called Leading (Or windage), and is a RealLife tactic and training method. It's why you use the flying discus launchers for hunting practice, and is a key element in air-to-air gun combat. VideoGames used to avert this trope with HitScan weapons, which were an AcceptableBreakFromReality because of engine constraints; hitscan weapons didn't so much use "bullets" as simply spawn a projectile in whatever was under the player's crosshairs at the time, regardless of distance. The alternative was the PainfullySlowProjectile, where the player not only has to lead the target, but actually shoot the bullet ''past'' where the enemy is, so the enemy will indeed walk right into it. But today games are much more complex and realistic, and a more moderate form of leading the target has reasserted itself. Slower projectiles obviously need more lead time, and sniping can be a real nightmare. (The hitscan model is sometimes retained when energy, laser or other lightspeed weapons are available.)

Lasers, due to moving at the speed of light, should not be expected to follow this rule. Regardless, plenty of space combat games [[YouFailPhysicsForever ignore this]].

* In ''TheLordOfTheRings'', Legolas is naturally a master of this skill. One instance: he shoots at a distant Warg-riding orc, the arrow is in flight for about five seconds, and hits dead centre for an instant kill.

-->-- '''WayneGretzky'''

* TeamFortress2: You have to lead with the soldier's rocket launcher, since [[PainfullySlowProjectile the rockets are slow]]. Oh, and aim for the ground for splash damage.

This is called Leading (Or windage), and is a RealLife tactic and training method. It's why you use the flying discus launchers for hunting practice, and is a key element in air-to-air gun combat. VideoGames used to avert this trope with HitScan weapons, which were a [[RealityIsUnrealistic break from reality]] because of engine constraints; hitscan weapons didn't so much use "bullets" as simply spawn a projectile in whatever was under the player's crosshairs at the time, regardless of distance. The alternative was the PainfullySlowProjectile, where the player not only has to lead the target, but actually shoot the bullet ''past'' where the enemy is, so the enemy will indeed walk right into it. But today games are much more complex and realistic, and a more moderate form of leading the target has reasserted itself. Slower projectiles obviously need more lead time, and sniping can be a real nightmare. (The hitscan model is sometimes retained when energy, laser or other lightspeed weapons are available.)

* While not the spirit of this trope, it's definitely to the letter to try and play a multiplayer FPS with a particularly high ping. The server won't process your moves until a fraction of a second (or more, if the connection is bad enough) after you do them, so you always have to lead your target (and pray).

* TeamFortress2: You have to lead with the soldier's rocket launcher, since the rockets are slow. Oh, and aim for the ground for splash damage.

* In ''PrincessMononoke'', Irontown's riflemen consistently do this while fending off San's [[StormTheCastle assault]]. [[ImprobableAimingSkills They only miss]] because San is more agile than a superball on speed, but every last shot is millimeters off (and the last one [[spoiler:successfully blows her off her feet and stuns her]].

Lasers, due to moving at the speed of light, should not be expected to follow this rule. Regardless, plenty of space combat games ignore this.

* Most space combat sims (Such as the ''{{X-Wing}}'' and ''{{Freespace}}'' series) have a target reticule on the HUD showing where an enemy ship will be when it and your lasers converge, assuming it doesn't evade. Obviously, you want to be aiming for this.

In Aces and Eights, Kentucky Windage is a talent you can buy which effectivly makes you a better shot by aiming off target.

[[AC: RoleplayingGames]]

This is called Leading, and is a RealLife tactic and training method. It's why you use the flying discus launchers for hunting practice, and is a key element in air-to-air gun combat. VideoGames used to avert this trope with HitScan weapons, which were a [[RealityIsUnrealistic break from reality]] because of engine constraints; hitscan weapons didn't so much use "bullets" as simply spawn a projectile in whatever was under the player's crosshairs at the time, regardless of distance. The alternative was the PainfullySlowProjectile, where the player not only has to lead the target, but actually shoot the bullet ''past'' where the enemy is, so the enemy will indeed walk right into it. But today games are much more complex and realistic, and a more moderate form of leading the target has reasserted itself. Slower projectiles obviously need more lead time, and sniping can be a real nightmare. (The hitscan model is sometimes retained when energy, laser or other lightspeed weapons are available.)

See HeroTrackingFailure for when the villains fail to do this.