Diamondback Explorer, how to keep up with Eagles in a fight

Abomination

A
I've got a very hard time keeping up with Eagles, even when fighting them 1-on-1.
Currently, I've more luck fighting Cobras or even Asps, unless they're winged of course.
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Got myself A rated thrusters but the up/down movement (pitch?) is so slow, Eagles circle around and evade me like little pesky mosquitos.
Fa-off helps too but the moment I turn it on again, the craft becomes sooooo slow for seconds.
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Tried to stay below engine optimal mass and that seems to help but it's still not enough.
I've read that fuel also counts as extra weight, so might downgrading that one or two steps help?
And is it worth at all trying to get mass lower than optimal?
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Maybe a vulture is more combat oriented, but I just love the explorer for its multi-role capabilities.
Long range, huge fuel tank, still some cargo space and of course that large hard point for some nice big cannon.
So I don't want to give up on it just yet.
In fact, I also want to report a massive game breaking bug here: there are no paint jobs for this ship! :mad: ;)
 

Alex Brentnall

Alex Brentnall
Nothing can out-turn an Eagle, they are simply the most manoeuvrable yet they suffer from being made of paper. My personal tactic is using flight assist off and boosting whilst doing a 180 degree flip so im flying backwards. Turn FAoff off and kill them in a single jousting pass :)
 
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Abomination

A
LameoveR said:
Just fly backward.
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Good one.. if it's like driving a car backwards, I surely need some practice .. just don't tell anyone I said that ;)
Alex Brentnall said:
Nothing can out-turn an Eagle, they are simply the most manoeuvrable yet they suffer from being made of paper. My personal tactic is using flight assist off and boosting whilst doing a 180 degree flip so im flying backwards. Turn FAoff off and kill them in a single jousting pass :)
Click to expand...
So far, I've always used fixed weapons as to force me to learn targetting so that makes doing what you say a bit more difficult.
Didn't know boost would still help with fa off, so I'll give that a try too.
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Thanks for the tips guys!
 

Ralph Vargr

Ralph Vargr
Basic ACM. If you can't turn with an adversary, open the range. Run, and disengage, or break off, and return with a fast pass. It's called "boom and zoom".

Don't bother re-designing the DBX. It's the tactics that is the problem. I suggest simply running. :)
 

Stigbob

Stigbob
In the DBS if you want to get an eagle in your sights without fa off or reversing, thrust up continuously whilst puling up towards the target this'll tighten your turn but can result in a collision, or thrust down constantly whilst pulling up and it'll widen the gap between you and give you a clear shot.

In the DBS tracking a target from above whilst thrusting up can keep any ship in the game in your sights permanently (not the eagle though).

Edit my mistake thought this was about the scout
 
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CMDR Zadian Lichtfrost

C
Abomination said:
I've got a very hard time keeping up with Eagles, even when fighting them 1-on-1.
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Yes, Eagles and even Sidewinders are the biggest threat to an DBX. Flying backwards doesn't help that often against NPC Eagles as they like to boost and are faster than a DBX flying backwards (if no FA/OFF is used, probably even with FA/OFF as the DBX is extremely slow, even my Python is faster :rolleyes: )

For me using all trusters and keeping the ship always in the blue zone helps a lot. Out of the blue zone that thing simply only moves in on direction and changing that direction takes ages. 4 pips into engines helps, and combat with the DBX for me is constant pip management. Eagles like to make U turns - don't try to follow them. Use down and side trusters to move you out of their way. Try to keep distance. Don't react to their movement, force them to react to yours. Chaff is your friend.

Slightly better speed and maneuverability and the DBX would be such a nice ship to fly.
 

Gray Lensman

Gray Lensman
If I can easily conquer Eagles in my ASP then I don't know where your problem lies. Max out the engine pips, stay in the blue zone (no parking or unloading) and target the Eagle's power plant. Just keep turning with them. NPC Eagles always eventually turn into you and then zap em. Next to Sidewinders they are my simplest target ... now VIPERS ... they're a nuisance.
 

Kirk-Fu

Banned
K
Those side-mounts on the DB make good spots for turrets, if you're having trouble keeping the nose on point. I know the Explorer doesn't have nearly the same pitch rate as the scout, but if you're looking to avoid needing boom n zoom tactics that's probably the only way.
 

Abomination

A
Ralph Vargr said:
Basic ACM. If you can't turn with an adversary, open the range. Run, and disengage, or break off, and return with a fast pass. It's called "boom and zoom".

Don't bother re-designing the DBX. It's the tactics that is the problem. I suggest simply running. :)
Click to expand...
Run? Never! :cool:
But yeah, getting a bit more range between him and me is def. a necessity. Boom and zoom it is!

Stigbob said:
In the DBS if you want to get an eagle in your sights without fa off or reversing, thrust up continuously whilst puling up towards the target this'll tighten your turn but can result in a collision, or thrust down constantly whilst pulling up and it'll widen the gap between you and give you a clear shot.

In the DBS tracking a target from above whilst thrusting up can keep any ship in the game in your sights permanently (not the eagle though).

Edit my mistake thought this was about the scout
Click to expand...
Is working for the explorer as well. Works great against slower ships too.

CMDR Zadian Lichtfrost said:
Yes, Eagles and even Sidewinders are the biggest threat to an DBX. Flying backwards doesn't help that often against NPC Eagles as they like to boost and are faster than a DBX flying backwards (if no FA/OFF is used, probably even with FA/OFF as the DBX is extremely slow, even my Python is faster :rolleyes: )

For me using all trusters and keeping the ship always in the blue zone helps a lot. Out of the blue zone that thing simply only moves in on direction and changing that direction takes ages. 4 pips into engines helps, and combat with the DBX for me is constant pip management. Eagles like to make U turns - don't try to follow them. Use down and side trusters to move you out of their way. Try to keep distance. Don't react to their movement, force them to react to yours. Chaff is your friend.

Slightly better speed and maneuverability and the DBX would be such a nice ship to fly.
Click to expand...
The Python is faster?? Ah.. think I found a long term goal here ;)
And you are right about power management.
I see many vids of pilots hardly ever using them, yet the difference can be astonishing.

Gray Lensman said:
If I can easily conquer Eagles in my ASP then I don't know where your problem lies. Max out the engine pips, stay in the blue zone (no parking or unloading) and target the Eagle's power plant. Just keep turning with them. NPC Eagles always eventually turn into you and then zap em. Next to Sidewinders they are my simplest target ... now VIPERS ... they're a nuisance.
Click to expand...
I think the problem is that I'm using fixed weapons.
These works perfectly fine against bigger/slower ships and give a bit more damage, but more difficult against something small for obvious reasons.
Funny thing is, so far, I've had less of an issue with vipers.
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Anyway, thanks again guys.. got some more target practicing to do..
 

Navynuke99

Navynuke99
Use your vertical translation thrusters while you're turning. It'll open the range a bit, but it'll also snap your nose around faster. Usually I'll thrust down while pulling up, just in quick pulses.
 
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