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I've played that way, it just seems odd to force me to let a fish off for a blind shot if I've already got targets in my sights. I agree with reveals, but I think the TDC on unrevealed targets is off, forces you to expend torpedoes on what is often a wasted shot. If you are going to force me to reveal more ships, fine, but don't then require me to chuck shots off at a sonar only contact at 2500 yds. Oh well, stepping down off soapbox now

And yes, TDC's cannot be placed outside of legitimate target areas. 14.13 states 'The player places TDC markers (without examining them), one per target, on any of the revealed or face down Japanese ships in the same column containing the submarine or in an adjacent column.'

Ahhh, I have it now!!! Eureka!! (sparing everyone, i shall refrain from running down the street...)
I had misinterpreted the rules, you are correct! I had assumed that when you assigned a TDC to an unrevealed target, you were required to fire on it. Now, looking closer, what I should have read was that if you assign attack factors blindly and then find that you cannot possibly hit, you have still fired and thus must expose yourself to ASW. But, and this is the crucial part, I have misread the order in which things happen

1-reveal units. I'm good so far, lol
2-assign TDCs. Still on track.
3-reveal TDCs and assign attack factors. I had assumed unrevealed units were revealed at this time and had to have attack factors assigned. I see now that, yes, if you wish to attack them, you must assign factors, but if you wish to ignore them you may refrain from firing.
4-NOW reveal the unrevealed Japanese ships that have been assigned TDCs. If you didn't wish to fire, they won't be shot at, but they might affect you via ASW or combat events.

Whew. I feel a little silly, but at least I'm on the right track now. Thanks for helping me unravel that one.