Combat maneuvering -- need help!!

[Piratescribe]

Wow! OK either I am doing something WAY wrong, or...
I just tried to run the COMBAT Training Simulation. The first target, pretty easy. The 2nd one?? It stayed behind me the ENTIRE time, and no matter how I rolled and pitched it ALWAYS was able to stay behind me! Until it killed me. THREE TIMES trying to complete this Training Simulation!
I tried setting power dist to engines and making sure my speed was in the middle of the blue. I tried boosting shield power instead. No matter what I tried, the stupid TRAINING NPC was always able to zip and remain behind me and I could never maneuver for a shot!

I need suggestions perhaps for YouTube videos that deal with combat maneuvering? Because I've got docking and travel down -- I have no clue what I'm doing wrong to make the darn TRAINING Sim impossible to beat!

EDIT ADD: OK I thought MAYBE it was just the Training Sim. I tried the "Skirmish" Challenge Scenario... same darn thing! All three enemy successfully stayed behind me the entire fight! Increase engine power, keep speed in maneuver range, pitch and roll, and no matter what I NEVER get them in my forward view. It's killing me, I have no idea what I'm doing so very wrong! I know how to move my ship, I dock and undock all the time! anger

 

[Kerissimo]

EDIT ADD: OK I thought MAYBE it was just the Training Sim. I tried the "Skirmish" Challenge Scenario... same darn thing! All three enemy successfully stayed behind me the entire fight! Increase engine power, keep speed in maneuver range, pitch and roll, and no matter what I NEVER get them in my forward view. It's killing me, I have no idea what I'm doing so very wrong! I know how to move my ship, I dock and undock all the time! anger

Welcome to elite combat . Of course in real game you can outfit or engineer your ship all you want so you will have better chance,but let's be real, try to beat at least training combats so you will know what to do. And about YT videos... there are plenty of them, maybe Vindicator Jones combat tutorials will be good for you?

 

[varonica]

Wow! OK either I am doing something WAY wrong, or...
I just tried to run the COMBAT Training Simulation. The first target, pretty easy. The 2nd one?? It stayed behind me the ENTIRE time, and no matter how I rolled and pitched it ALWAYS was able to stay behind me! Until it killed me. THREE TIMES trying to complete this Training Simulation!
I tried setting power dist to engines and making sure my speed was in the middle of the blue. I tried boosting shield power instead. No matter what I tried, the stupid TRAINING NPC was always able to zip and remain behind me and I could never maneuver for a shot!

I need suggestions perhaps for YouTube videos that deal with combat maneuvering? Because I've got docking and travel down -- I have no clue what I'm doing wrong to make the darn TRAINING Sim impossible to beat!

EDIT ADD: OK I thought MAYBE it was just the Training Sim. I tried the "Skirmish" Challenge Scenario... same darn thing! All three enemy successfully stayed behind me the entire fight! Increase engine power, keep speed in maneuver range, pitch and roll, and no matter what I NEVER get them in my forward view. It's killing me, I have no idea what I'm doing so very wrong! I know how to move my ship, I dock and undock all the time! anger

FA off, flip on the spot, fly backwards and shoot them. FA on flying is designed to make flying easier, so by corollary it also makes ship less manouverable, FA off removes limitations on turning so you can flip your ship on the spot and end up flying backwards, but it does take some practice, you set it up so you can toggle, hold it down, flip and release it to return to normal flight which makes it a lot easier to start with.

 

[Hooplah]

You are new to the game with many posts trying to figure it out. You haven't figured out that Elite Dangerous is a base sand play game with a thousand websites supporting it. If you have an issue go to YouTube for maybe 100 answers. It is not about how you play the game but how patience means a lot understanding it. If you don't have patience then keep posting. Many more did over the years and without patience griped a lot in the Forum. You decide.

Regards

 

[JetsonRING]

Wow! OK either I am doing something WAY wrong, or...
I just tried to run the COMBAT Training Simulation. The first target, pretty easy. The 2nd one?? It stayed behind me the ENTIRE time, and no matter how I rolled and pitched it ALWAYS was able to stay behind me! Until it killed me. THREE TIMES trying to complete this Training Simulation!
I tried setting power dist to engines and making sure my speed was in the middle of the blue. I tried boosting shield power instead. No matter what I tried, the stupid TRAINING NPC was always able to zip and remain behind me and I could never maneuver for a shot!

I need suggestions perhaps for YouTube videos that deal with combat maneuvering? Because I've got docking and travel down -- I have no clue what I'm doing wrong to make the darn TRAINING Sim impossible to beat!

EDIT ADD: OK I thought MAYBE it was just the Training Sim. I tried the "Skirmish" Challenge Scenario... same darn thing! All three enemy successfully stayed behind me the entire fight! Increase engine power, keep speed in maneuver range, pitch and roll, and no matter what I NEVER get them in my forward view. It's killing me, I have no idea what I'm doing so very wrong! I know how to move my ship, I dock and undock all the time! anger

Combat is a lot more than "I did this, this, and this but I still lost". You have to do this, and this, and this, then this again, then back to this, etc. etc. It is doing the right combination of things, at the right times such as continually and repeatedly redistributing power, properly configuring power priorities (what are those?), proper use of Flight Assist (FA) and throttle control, etc.
This ain't Galaxian. o7

 

[Piratescribe]

Combat is a lot more than "I did this, this, and this but I still lost". You have to do this, and this, and this, then this again, then back to this, etc. etc. It is doing the right combination of things, at the right times such as continually and repeatedly redistributing power, properly configuring power priorities (what are those?), proper use of Flight Assist (FA) and throttle control, etc.
This ain't Galaxian. o7

The way I see it, if I literally cannot beat the simple Training Sim, I'm obviously doing something wrong and have to figure out what. I know "in the wild" combat will have tons of variables... but this is the game's built-in trainer and I can't even come CLOSE to beating it. That means there's a problem that needs a solution. IMO

 

[Piratescribe]

FA off, flip on the spot, fly backwards and shoot them. FA on flying is designed to make flying easier, so by corollary it also makes ship less manouverable, FA off removes limitations on turning so you can flip your ship on the spot and end up flying backwards, but it does take some practice, you set it up so you can toggle, hold it down, flip and release it to return to normal flight which makes it a lot easier to start with.

FA? I'm guessing you mean Flight Assist? Yeah, I'm new, so I'm not familiar with that. The Training didn't mention it -- one would THINK if it being on or off was necessary to complete the most basic combat Training Sim they'd mention it. sigh But I guess that's asking too much -_- OK, I'll play around with it and see if I can make that work...

 

[varonica]

The way I see it, if I literally cannot beat the simple Training Sim, I'm obviously doing something wrong and have to figure out what. I know "in the wild" combat will have tons of variables... but this is the game's built-in trainer and I can't even come CLOSE to beating it. That means there's a problem that needs a solution. IMO

Identical ship have identical manouverability, if they are outmanouvering you then they are doing something different to you, managing pips better, using FA off, keeping boost in the blue zone. The idea of the practice sims is that you can "practice" without it costing you in game credits. Ask questions, listen to the answers from experienced players, go back to the sim and try different suggestions, you will get it eventually.

 

[znôrt]

I need suggestions

it has been some time and it has rained a lot since, but iirc some of those scenarios are not actually easy tutorials but really involve a little challenge, so don't get discouraged. just keep at it until you manage to survive and outfly your opponents.

note that you do not have to pass those, they are no requirement. as others have said, with engineering and ship builds of your choice you will pretty much steamroll most of other pve opponents in the game. but if you do have an interest in combat these scenarios force you to use a simple layout with basic power and weaponry and are thus a pretty good test for your flying skill.

watch those tutorials, but there are no magic tricks, just a combination of skills and knowledge you have to acquire and practice. practice makes perfect!

 

[Piratescribe]

note that you do not have to pass those, they are no requirement. as others have said, with engineering and ship builds of your choice you will pretty much steamroll most of other pve opponents in the game. but if you do have an interest in combat these scenarios force you to use a simple layout with basic power and weaponry and are thus a pretty good test for your flying skill.

Oh no, I know. But I've been playing the game 3 days now, doing courier jobs to get the hang of the game, before I start bounty hunting. Figured before I got into "actual" combat I'd make sure I could do the combat Training Sims. If I can't handle those, I have no business getting into any combat in the game!!

 

[Esteban]

Even with Flight Assist ON, you should be able to get some 'face time' with your opponents. Try something crazy like not leaving the throttle in the blue-forward zone. Try backward-flight and see what happens.
I think you're doing the right thing by actually trying the SIMs. Many don't bother.

Mastering FA-OFF is quite a challenge.

Welcome to the galaxy. Important: this is a game. Try to have fun. Mostly, this forum is a useful source of help.
o7

 

[znôrt]

Oh no, I know. But I've been playing the game 3 days now, doing courier jobs to get the hang of the game, before I start bounty hunting. Figured before I got into "actual" combat I'd make sure I could do the combat Training Sims. If I can't handle those, I have no business getting into any combat in the game!!

that's good thinking. it being "training" is a bit misleading though since it offers more challenge than many other encounters in the game. still, go for it, you're doing the right thing. just don't get mad if it doesn't work out at first. 3 days! the game has very much to learn that it is actually for long hauls, and dogfighting is actually the more nuanced part.

3 days ... it took me about a month to simply sort out my bindings to satisfaction every time i changed control method, and that has happened quite a few times :-D

 

[Sysmon]

Oh no, I know. But I've been playing the game 3 days now, doing courier jobs to get the hang of the game, before I start bounty hunting. Figured before I got into "actual" combat I'd make sure I could do the combat Training Sims. If I can't handle those, I have no business getting into any combat in the game!!

A good place for a bit of experience fighting is to go to Low Res sites or Nav Beacons and pick on some wanted targets there.

S

 

[Sysmon]

that's good thinking. it being "training" is a bit misleading though since it offers more challenge than many other encounters in the game. still, go for it, you're doing the right thing. just don't get mad if it doesn't work out at first. 3 days! the game has very much to learn that it is actually for long hauls, and dogfighting is actually the more nuanced part.

3 days ... it took me about a month to simply sort out my bindings to satisfaction every time i changed control method, and that has happened quite a few times :-D

I'm still trying to sort out mine since I got the X-56 in 2016!

S

 

[Piratescribe]

A good place for a bit of experience fighting is to go to Low Res sites or Nav Beacons and pick on some wanted targets there.

S

OMG! :O OMGOMGOMG!
So I unstored my Sidewinder (I had gotten a Cobra Mk III from my courier jobs) and upgraded its shields and gave it a small Warrant Scanner and decided to give the Nav Beacon a try. I die like the Training Sim, not big loss.
With extreme trepidation I scanned around and found someone with a warrant, "mostly harmless," and went ahead and started combat.... AND IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! It was a little back and forth, kinda challenging but not too much, and I won! He'd gotten my shields down but no hull damage!
I waited til shield powered back up and stayed out for another... and another!
A couple of them, local cops helped me kill .... I was SOOO afraid of accidentally hitting on of them :O
But I got 4 kills on my first outing (all mostly harmless or less) and it was the perfect balance of nerve-wracking but do-able!

 

[CMDR D Noize]

Even with Flight Assist ON, you should be able to get some 'face time' with your opponents. Try something crazy like not leaving the throttle in the blue-forward zone. Try backward-flight and see what happens.
I think you're doing the right thing by actually trying the SIMs. Many don't bother.

Mastering FA-OFF is quite a challenge.

What this guy said

When I’m chasing after ships I constantly adjust me speed relative to the manoeuvres I make.
Staying in the blue zone is good for nice smooth, steady turns but combat is rarely smooth and steady.
Sometimes you need to speed up some times your need to slow down depending on your opponents movements.

I also use reverse flying quite often.
I use a Hotas and I have my reverse thrust button bound to the paddle on the back of the throttle.
It’s set up as a “hold” button so it almost works like a handbrake and throws me into reverse if I keep it held.
It’s great for sudden stops or putting a bit of distance between me and my target.

Also your Vertical Thrusters are your friend in combat.
Pulling back on your pitch while using your downward Thrusters can help you spin circles round your opponent while staring them in the face with a bit of practice.

Also also learning to use boost to give yourself breathing room is helpful.
You can also sort direct your boost into your other thrusters if you use them while boosting.

The combat in ED is great once you’ve got the hang of it so stick with it and have fun

 

[Piratescribe]

What this guy said

When I’m chasing after ships I constantly adjust me speed relative to the manoeuvres I make.
Staying in the blue zone is good for nice smooth, steady turns but combat is rarely smooth and steady.
Sometimes you need to speed up some times your need to slow down depending on your opponents movements.

I also use reverse flying quite often.
I use a Hotas and I have my reverse thrust button bound to the paddle on the back of the throttle.
It’s set up as a “hold” button so it almost works like a handbrake and throws me into reverse if I keep it held.
It’s great for sudden stops or putting a bit of distance between me and my target.

Also your Vertical Thrusters are your friend in combat.
Pulling back on your pitch while using your downward Thrusters can help you spin circles round your opponent while staring them in the face with a bit of practice.

Also also learning to use boost to give yourself breathing room is helpful.
You can also sort direct your boost into your other thrusters if you use them while boosting.

The combat in ED is great once you’ve got the hang of it so stick with it and have fun

whoooboy, that all seems pretty advanced. I'm doing pretty good concentrating on 1.6 things at a time and I know at any given point where 3 keys on my keyboard are without looking
I'll do what I can with getting comfortable with basics, then move on to move advanced maneuvering!
(jeebus I hadn't even thought of getting an actual stick controller! :O )

 

[Ashnak]

Well, your spaceship has, unlike a plane, 6 fully independent degrees of freedom (DOF). You can rotate around and move along any of the three spatial axes. Learning this takes some time, mastering it even longer.
If you want to see an example of what is possible for an experienced pilot (no, not me - I can just watch), e.g. look on YouTube for Okinura Station Sprint videos.

 

[STRONTIUM DOG]

Galaxians it aint but asteroids comes pretty close to how FA off is in two dimensions
both undeniable classics

 

[Morbad]

Use your thrusters. As others have noted you can fly in any direction your choose, irrespective of facing. Velocity and distance control are important.

I need suggestions perhaps for YouTube videos that deal with combat maneuvering?

Something I recorded a while back:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1WxGbDDjxM


Deliberately no FA Off. Also forgot how many waves there were, so saved the MC ammo for enemies that never came and spent the first minute or so messing with module priorities that were redundant for the threat involved, but people seem to like it anyway.

Identical ship have identical manouverability, if they are outmanouvering you then they are doing something different to you, managing pips better, using FA off, keeping boost in the blue zone. The idea of the practice sims is that you can "practice" without it costing you in game credits. Ask questions, listen to the answers from experienced players, go back to the sim and try different suggestions, you will get it eventually.

NPCs do not use FA Off.