I haven't noticed any particular benefits from doing this either as far as salvage goes.....but my guess would be that if you do target the guns of much stronger enemies, you impair their ability to fire back.....but I rather just go for the kill......oh one more thing, I'm not too sure because I haven't really tested it fully but I think if you target their engines it will slow them down or maybe even desable them from using thrusters.....I don't know, but it's worth a shot......I think I will test this sometime today.......

It doesn't target anything specific, it just shows you the status.

Shoot the cargo boxes off that are under the transports, and you will have a better chance of getting more cargo to loot.

if you`re not firing in that subsystem , the only way are the missiles. it will try to hit the subsystem you target. and the torpedo, too. in rest i`ve never reach the point when my enemy is disarmed, but not killed...)

Some BH also gave me a rumor that said the best way to get some Mollies is to use bait. The bait being a Molly whose engine you have blown and is just sitting there. Never tried it yet...

Who has time for that?
I am attacted by so many at a time, scan them my @ss! Shoot and run! Not unlike the run & Shoot in football. Hehe

I agree. I can't find the time to stop and target something specific. And even if you do it appears that only the missles or torpedoes would hit the targeted area.

Oon-tee-dee!

Not true. You can hit targeted areas with guns, as the targeting reticle is moved when you select a sub-system. However, it *is* impossible to blow off guns that are not mounted on wings, and several other things can't be damaged - so don't bother.

Actually, you can hit any sub-system with your guns - however, you must obey 'line of sight' rules.

I've killed the thrusters on many a craft - but you HAVE to be careful. Targeting the componet is NOT enough, you must also line your guns up to Hit that area of the craft.
In other words - If you want to kill his thrusters - shoot him in the ass, where the thruster is located. If you can stay on his butt, you can knock out his thrusters without killing his ship. Pretty much leaving your enemy a sitting duck.

Killing thrusters would be something especially cruel, for Advanced Pilots, to do to newbies. Like a cat playing with it's food.