Seriously, i need a detailed "Flight School" vid

doctoxic

D
Hi all

Have been practicing but i seriously suck as a pilot and can't even beat single player mission 3. I have watched others do it on vids and make it seem easy (which i am sure it is).

I reckon i am doing something fundamentally wrong as 9 times out of 10 the enemy just loops behind me and its game over. Even when i do get behind him he just extends away and turns and then after the next pass he's usually back on my tail. Probably not understanding/using the controls properly?

I haven't seen any detailed flight school vids - and believe me i need detailed :) Somebody to do (for example) mission 3 talking through what they are doing with the controls and power management, as well as general tactics. I don't think theres anything already out there.

On a related note one of the problems is i lose sight as we go past, am seriously thinking about TrackIR, is this likely to make things easier.

Also, how best to use/interpret the radar.

Hoping someone can help.

Cheers

Doc
 

Paulo_B27

P
Hi there,
What controller set up do you use? I expect that k/board and mouse is not as effective as a HOTAS joystick (which I'm pleaseg I have)

In combat, I'm always straffing downwards at 25%-50 power so don't come at my target head on and full speed, and as it passes I switch between forward and reverse to help me maintain a good distance.

Also I have full power to guns when firing, and full power engines when turning - it takes a slip second to change between them on a joystick.

Finally, I rarely use Flight Assist Off mode. Maybe to turn to face a particular direction that FA-On straight away (so less than 10 seconds FA-Off).

Do you do any of this?
 
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harag

harag
Hi

I started playing at the premium weekend as well and started with the missions, like you, I can't get past #3 so decided to go into the muliplayer world. After a few trade runs etc came up against a npc sidewinder in the game and again my combat sucked, I can't seem to turn the ship as quick as what others seem to do, not sure what I'm doing wrong but it seems to take forever to turn 180 degrees.

I play with the Keyboard & mouse, but set up my F710 controller - that was worse, went back to mouse. I have a stick someplace, but can't be bothered to find it, but maybe that might help.
 

doctoxic

D
harag said:
Hi

I started playing at the premium weekend as well and started with the missions, like you, I can't get past #3 so decided to go into the muliplayer world. After a few trade runs etc came up against a npc sidewinder in the game and again my combat sucked, I can't seem to turn the ship as quick as what others seem to do, not sure what I'm doing wrong but it seems to take forever to turn 180 degrees.

I play with the Keyboard & mouse, but set up my F710 controller - that was worse, went back to mouse. I have a stick someplace, but can't be bothered to find it, but maybe that might help.
Click to expand...

sounds like we have the same problem - only i think i must we worse as i am using an X52 :)
 

Paulo_B27

P
harag said:
Hi

I started playing at the premium weekend as well and started with the missions, like you, I can't get past #3 so decided to go into the muliplayer world. After a few trade runs etc came up against a npc sidewinder in the game and again my combat sucked, I can't seem to turn the ship as quick as what others seem to do, not sure what I'm doing wrong but it seems to take forever to turn 180 degrees.

I play with the Keyboard & mouse, but set up my F710 controller - that was worse, went back to mouse. I have a stick someplace, but can't be bothered to find it, but maybe that might help.
Click to expand...

I think this may be harder to do on KB - but the principal is the same...

When you turn, there is a speed sweet spot you need to hit, with full power to engines, for maximum turning speed. it's circa 50%-75& maximum thrust.

So, when you turn, or even before you are going to start turning, slow down, put full power to engines, and turn by rolling so your desired direction is above you (at your 12 O'clock High position if that makes sense), and pull back on the flight stick (Keyboard) hard. Also - for maximum effect, use your lateral up thruster too.

For an 'advanced turn', when you get to a particular point in the turn, about half way, put yourself in to reverse and fire the down thruster to maintain distance to your target. This will bring you on them quicker.

Have a go at testing this verus a turn at full speed without the thrusters on - It takes 2-3 times longer to complete the turn, by which time your enemy will already have guns on you.

Does that make sense?
 

doctoxic

D
Hi - thanks for your help - comments below

Paulo_B27 said:
Hi there,
What controller set up do you use? I expect that k/board and mouse is not as effective as a HOTAS joystick (which I'm pleaseg I have)

Finally, I rarely use Flight Assist Off mode. Maybe to turn to face a particular direction that FA-On straight away (so less than 10 seconds FA-Off).

Do you do any of this?
Click to expand...

Am using an X52 pro - but am very new to flight sims - particulaly as ED has different physics than normal flight sims. I always use Fight Assist.


Also I have full power to guns when firing, and full power engines when turning - it takes a slip second to change between them on a joystick.
Click to expand...
I try that when i get the chance and have set up VA for quick switches.

In combat, I'm always straffing downwards at 25%-50 power so don't come at my target head on and full speed, and as it passes I switch between forward and reverse to help me maintain a good distance.
Click to expand...

not sure i follow you, if you are moving forward and down at the same time the enemy won't the enemy still zoom pass you and get on your tail? you don't mention how you turn/follow - and not clear why you are using reverse - i find it difficult to visualize all this which is why i am hoping someone will do a "for dummies" vid
 

doctoxic

D
Paulo_B27 said:
I think this may be harder to do on KB - but the principal is the same...

When you turn, there is a speed sweet spot you need to hit, with full power to engines, for maximum turning speed. it's circa 50%-75& maximum thrust.

So, when you turn, or even before you are going to start turning, slow down, put full power to engines, and turn by rolling so your desired direction is above you (at your 12 O'clock High position if that makes sense), and pull back on the flight stick (Keyboard) hard. Also - for maximum effect, use your lateral up thruster too.

For an 'advanced turn', when you get to a particular point in the turn, about half way, put yourself in to reverse and fire the down thruster to maintain distance to your target. This will bring you on them quicker.

Have a go at testing this verus a turn at full speed without the thrusters on - It takes 2-3 times longer to complete the turn, by which time your enemy will already have guns on you.

Does that make sense?
Click to expand...

i think so - will give it a go later today and report back

i think a big part of my problem is also not recognising where they are turning (i.e rolling so your desired direction is above you) which becomes even harder when they are not on screen
 

Paulo_B27

P
doctoxic said:
i think so - will give it a go later today and report back

i think a big part of my problem is also not recognising where they are turning (i.e rolling so your desired direction is above you) which becomes even harder when they are not on screen
Click to expand...

I spend a lot of my time flying whilst looking at my Radar - especially when I have just passed a target.

In order to best turn in to them again, I want my target at the 12 O'clock High position, so I roll left/ right to put them there, then hard back on the stick to nose up until they are right in front of me (whilst also ensuring my above points are covered in terms of speed, engine power etc)
 

worthy1066

W
I'VE JUST GOT TO THE STAGE NOW WHERE i CAN LATERAL THRUST INTO A GOOD DOCKING POSITION WHILE STRAFFING AT THE SAME TIME ON THE DOCKING PORT ......FEELS AWESOME WHEN YOU GET IT RIGHT
 

Paulo_B27

P
doctoxic said:
....not sure i follow you,
Click to expand...

Let me try and explain better.

- You have the enemy flying towards you at full speed, and you are both firing at each other directly:
1) Ensure you have full power on guns so you can fire for longer
2) Slow down to 25-50% power, so you have more time to fire at them, and you'll have a tighter turning circle when you pass each other
3) Strafe downwards whilst travelling towards them by continuously firing your down thruster. This is particularly effective when they have guns rather than lasers, as you can move out of the way of the bullets that take time to travel to you. Also, roll left/ right 90 degrees every five seconds whilst strafing downwards to make yourself an even harder target
4) When you pass each other you need to turn as quickly as possible so,
5) Put full power to engines. For me this is two taps on a joystick hat so takes a split second. If you haven't already done so, power back to 50%-75% for the best turning circle
6) Begin the turn by first, rolling left or right to the target on your 12 O'clock High position, then pulling back hard on the stick
8) If you are too close to your target (ie, they turned in to you at the same time as you turned in them them), you need to increase your distance to help get guns on. You can do this whilst still turning by...
9) Still pulling hard back on the stick, put yourself in reverse whilst still on 50-75% power, and changing lateral thrust to Down (rather than Up). Hold this for 5 seconds or so and you will zoom away whilst still turning in to them.

Finally - when you have guns on, don't forget to put full power back to guns, and repeat the above from step one.

:)
 

longshot8052

L
if you are looking for a flight training vid look up on YouTube il2 1946 or il2 cliffs of dover they are ww2 flight sims but you may find them helpful for combat also they might have a training tutorial on there as well, that's how i learn my flight combat :)
 

natte hond

natte hond
if some of you like live help.
I stream allot and am willing to answer live questions.
just com join me in TS The teamspeak GamersCove Voice IP 81.109.213.43
usually live stream room 1.
Im called spaghetti monster there.
others on TS are also most helpful.

stupid questions do not exist...
and am streaming tonight around 21:00 ( 20:00 for uk)
 

Jack Booted Thug

J
doctoxic said:
Hi all

Have been practicing but i seriously suck as a pilot and can't even beat single player mission 3. I have watched others do it on vids and make it seem easy (which i am sure it is).

I reckon i am doing something fundamentally wrong as 9 times out of 10 the enemy just loops behind me and its game over. Even when i do get behind him he just extends away and turns and then after the next pass he's usually back on my tail. Probably not understanding/using the controls properly?

I haven't seen any detailed flight school vids - and believe me i need detailed :) Somebody to do (for example) mission 3 talking through what they are doing with the controls and power management, as well as general tactics. I don't think theres anything already out there.

On a related note one of the problems is i lose sight as we go past, am seriously thinking about TrackIR, is this likely to make things easier.

Also, how best to use/interpret the radar.

Hoping someone can help.

Cheers

Doc
Click to expand...

Experience always helps.

When fighting a Cobra make sure to keep relatively close and when they try to pull some distance boost to stay close.

Federal Fighters can be drawn into a straight line by reversing. Using this technique you can also keep them within your firing reticule especially if you reverse at the sweet spot speed.

Sidewinders are best dispatched via circle strafing within the forward sweet spot combined with full downward thrust. Depending on what ship you are flying one can usually out turn an opponent especially when riding four engine pips.

Eagles are best destroyed in the same manner as that of the sidewinder but with more ducking and weaving and very quick and intense volleys of fire power (their shields and hull are very weak).

The best approach for any ship is surprise. Keep a key eye on your surroundings and don't be caught unaware. The initial surprise is often what makes or breaks a successful engagement.

Also know you ship limitations and the enemy ship limitations so that you know when to push an attack, push shields, or push maneuverability. You will also know when to run and if running is actually worthwhile.


Regarding the single player missions, make sure you prioritise your targets when engaging multiples. Kill anyone without shields first then kill anyone with multicannons (after targeting you can check a ship armament on the left panel). You can also identify weapons simply by watching the enemy ship fire.

If ships are using lasers you can generally out maneuver them until you are ready to fire.

The biggest danger with the AI (and players) is when engaging multiples. In situations like that you have to run, recharge and do a focused joust.


I'll make a vid when I have the time over the next 4 days or so.

I also use keyboard and mouse. Pitch and Roll inverted absolute mode.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3RXUps73kBXJhBntv144sQ
 
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doctoxic

D
thanks all for taking the time out to help whether by text or vid - all very impressive :)

i think i "get it" now, but need to practice a lot more to get the techniques right. looking at the vid the TrackIR (i assume thats what you were using?) looked very helpful

getting these problems sorted before release is mostly why i bought into beta because i know it will take me ages to get used to things (i usually play games like CiV/EU4/XCOM so this is a big departure for me)

will practice some more this evening and report back

cheers

doc
 
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