I think a few changes would really help out sniping and using the cannons at extreme long ranges.
#1 -Always Display Hit Indicators-
I think the hit display UI indicator (the white X) should be always displayed on screen if damage is done to another player in every circumstance, even if the player hit was beyond model loading distance or if line of sight is broken by objects or water.
Sniping in Sea of Thieves is very hard, the hit indicator is essential for the player to learn the physics of the game and what works and what doesn't.
Sniping at extreme ranges is greatly difficult but not impossible. The bullets I believe still do full damage even after they start to drop off, making it possible with a whole lot of skill and luck to even hit players at this distance. A very rare situation but it can happen when pursuing another ship. However without the hit indicator there's no way to tell if we are actually hitting anything to be able to train and learn sniping at such long ranges.
#2 -Always Play Death Chimes-
Similar to hit indicators I think when if you kill another player you should always hear their death chime even if they are out of model loading distance.
#3 -Increase Player / Explosive Barrel Model Loading Distance-
I understand this would be to most complicated to implement due to possible performance issues but I think the player model viewing distance just flat needs to be increased. Even before the bullet drop off the sniper rifle range actually exceeds the player model loading distance. Seeing loot at extreme ranges isn't needed but explosive barrels as well as players should at least be viewable within the eye of reach's maximum effective range.
I absolutely love sniping in Sea of Thieves, due to the physics it's one of the hardest games I've sniped in. I would really like to get better at long range sniping but without the hit indicators I can't tell if I'm ever hitting anything at extreme ranges.
