A few questions after playing alpha

[Halada]

I am an Elite noob, having never played Privateer or the original Elite. After seeing a video of Alpha 3.0, I was convinced to upgrade to Alpha. I've played for 3 hours and would like to ask a few questions to the veterans. I don't seem to have alpha forum access even though I've upgraded over a week ago.

1- Dogfighting strategy

I got used to yaw+pitch on stick in space sims, so had to get used to roll on stick and yaw on pedals.

I usually find myself chasing the enemy down, staying as close as possible. If they go for a loop, I reduce throttle at 50% to gain more maneuverability, then accelerate back to full speed.

Am I suppose to use maneuvering thrusters?

2- Gimbal'd lasers

I seem to be getting my ass kicked when ships have these. Running silent seems to be the only way to have a chance. Is there something specific I should be doing?

3- Evasive maneuvering

What is most effective? Hard roll with pedal at max speed?

4- Is there any way to assign landing gears to a button? There's a perfect button on the warthog throttle for this but there doesn't seem to be an option.

5- Turning flight assist off
How am I suppose to use this effectively? It's mapped to button 4 by default on the warthog (pinky finger trigger) but I am not clear on what it does exactly.

6- Multiplayer

I tried the different locations, including the contested space with the large capital ships. There seemed to be no enemy at all there, only friendlies. Is that normal or a bug?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Cody]

I don't seem to have alpha forum access even though I've upgraded over a week ago.

Contact support@zaonce.net - they'll sort out Alpha forum access for you (though it may take a couple of days).

 

[Hellhawk666]

1- Dogfighting strategy

The strategy you describe is the basic approach. Turning off flight assist and experimenting with lateral thrusters can give you more precise and interesting control, but is harder to master.

2- Gimbal'd lasers

They are ass-kickers indeed, but have difficulty in locking onto cold ships. I have a feeling that they might have been a bit nerfed in the 3.3 build. It seemed that way to me.

4- Is there any way to assign landing gears to a button? There's a perfect button on the warthog throttle for this but there doesn't seem to be an option.

At this time, no. It has been a matter of much debate.

6- Multiplayer

I tried the different locations, including the contested space with the large capital ships. There seemed to be no enemy at all there, only friendlies. Is that normal or a bug?

Many bugs still abound, and more seem to have crept in in some parts of 3.3 When you say friendlies are they green or yellow on the radar? eg if in the capital ship defence MP scenario you only see yellow NPCs, shoot at one and a bunch will turn red. Try not to poach other commanders' targets

 

[Halada]

Many bugs still abound, and more seem to have crept in in some parts of 3.3 When you say friendlies are they green or yellow on the radar? eg if in the capital ship defence MP scenario you only see yellow NPCs, shoot at one and a bunch will turn red. Try not to poach other commanders' targets

There were only green targets there, and three more commanders, so I assumed they had all been cleared.

Is there any plan for MFD support?

 

[Mazhurg]

5- Turning flight assist off
How am I suppose to use this effectively? It's mapped to button 4 by default on the warthog (pinky finger trigger) but I am not clear on what it does exactly.

FA off disable stabilisation controls (i.e will not counter-thrust to stop motion). The only limitation, for gaming purposes, are the rates and velocity limits (speed, turn rate, yaw rate, rotation rate, slip velocity).

Also, if you disable Flight assist with the throttles not at a neutral position, the throttle then turns into an acceleration thrust - same with the side/top/down thrusters is on a slider - to maximum (ship) velocity not including the booster.

In other words, FA off renders your ship controls to true Newtonian ((darn I said the word) format - but limited on the top end for gaming purposes.

 

[Gen-Han-Solo]

I am an Elite noob, having never played Privateer or the original Elite. After seeing a video of Alpha 3.0, I was convinced to upgrade to Alpha. I've played for 3 hours and would like to ask a few questions to the veterans. I don't seem to have alpha forum access even though I've upgraded over a week ago.

1- Dogfighting strategy

I got used to yaw+pitch on stick in space sims, so had to get used to roll on stick and yaw on pedals.

I usually find myself chasing the enemy down, staying as close as possible. If they go for a loop, I reduce throttle at 50% to gain more maneuverability, then accelerate back to full speed.

Am I suppose to use maneuvering thrusters?

2- Gimbal'd lasers

I seem to be getting my ass kicked when ships have these. Running silent seems to be the only way to have a chance. Is there something specific I should be doing?

3- Evasive maneuvering

What is most effective? Hard roll with pedal at max speed?

4- Is there any way to assign landing gears to a button? There's a perfect button on the warthog throttle for this but there doesn't seem to be an option.

5- Turning flight assist off
How am I suppose to use this effectively? It's mapped to button 4 by default on the warthog (pinky finger trigger) but I am not clear on what it does exactly.

6- Multiplayer

I tried the different locations, including the contested space with the large capital ships. There seemed to be no enemy at all there, only friendlies. Is that normal or a bug?

Thanks for your help!

Hello and welcome to the Elite Dangerous ALFA .
Try using lateral vertical and yaw thrusters in combat and to increase turning try slowing down then going faster and using a combination off all the above you should be able to out fly most NPC ships and when you have mastered this then try turning of flight assist . If you want to test fly combat then find some friendly commanders willing to help , you may need to be able to find a way to talk with them at the same time .
Or why not come say hi to them in the Dedicated teamspeak3 server you can normally find at least a few commanders willing to help .
At Han_Solo's teamspeak IP 81.109.213.43

 

[Patrick_68000]

I don't seem to have alpha forum access even though I've upgraded over a week ago.

Here: https://store.zaonce.net/contacts/ ----- or here: http://forums.frontier.co.uk/member.php?u=15645

 

[Toumal]

I usually find myself chasing the enemy down, staying as close as possible. If they go for a loop, I reduce throttle at 50% to gain more maneuverability, then accelerate back to full speed.

The blue indicators on your throttle gauge show you the best speed for maximum turn speed. It's actually a little less than 50% and it makes a huge difference.

Oh and also, the little circular "mini radar" to the right of the actual radar shows you the direction to the nearest planet/starport or your assigned docking pad. So if you come to Zelada you don't have to search for your number, you can just follow that little gauge to your assigned pad.

 

[Halada]

Thank you all sincerely for your help.

I was wondering what pedals users were using the toe breaks for? I haven't found a useful use for them yet.

 

[Mazhurg]

Thank you all sincerely for your help.

I was wondering what pedals users were using the toe breaks for? I haven't found a useful use for them yet.

Nothing yet - Still trying to convince the power to be to enable mapping to the gears; that would be at least one option (the other could be the light, or cargo?) but in the meantime, I'd rather wait until later in the Beta as I am sure more functionality (and possible mapping) will be done as modules are added.

 

[SjadoHawk]

In this game, another combat method is to adjust your energy output as well. In combat with energy weapons I divert most of my energy to the weapons then the systems. With projectile weapons I divert the power to systems and engines. It makes a considerable difference.

 

[Globusdiablo]

Someone said the "N" word!

In other words, FA off renders your ship controls to true Newtonian ((darn I said the word) format - but limited on the top end for gaming purposes.

You should have your mouth washed out with soap you foul mouthed dirty scoundrel!