Newcomer / Intro Docking for newbies is a nightmare (dev's U need to do something)

[claretonmyshirt]

I played Elite years ago and docking without the auto docking was a nightmare.

This version is worse. If you are a newbie like me it's frustrating to the point i just can not be bothered after spending 6 hours going back and forth getting to a new station and trying to land. It is and will drive your customers away. The game is supposed to fun, not about spending a day or more trying to learn how to do this. Landing your ship should be reasonbably easy, make the combat hard, but something as basic as this for a game should be 10 times easier at least.

For us older guys who played Elite back in the day we now don't have days on end to practise mundane stuff like this, we have lifes and families and can pick the game up for a few hours at most.

It looks such a great game and it's such a shame so please change this, thanks.

 

[Wizaerd]

How exactly is it hard? I never played the original, and was brand new to this game, and have never had an issue with docking. What exactly are you having problems with?

Oh, I also forgot to mention, I'm older as well... if 50 counts as being older...

 

[Starscreamd]

Is this a troll post? It literally takes only a few practice tries in the tutorial to master landing....

 

[Aerodark]

are you serious?? docking is so easy...
anyway here're some obvious tips:

1) when arriving at tunnel entrance reduce speed to 50%. (ship lot more maneuverable at this speed)
2) roll to align to your docking position and still at 50% speed go forwards it
3) when your arriving near your docking position gradually reduce speed until your on top of it.
4) land with the default F hotkey

it's really not difficult.. another tip is to do it slowly the first time and get it right. The second time a little faster, etc...

Then you can try this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JhQKOzBTdQ

 

[Exard3k]

I played the original Elite too.

In Elite: Dangerous I've done the tutorial once, first real world docking was a bit choppy but after that docking was no problem. Learned it in 10-20 minutes. It's not the game...It's really simple. And I consider me one of the "older guys".

It's really not THAT difficult.

 

[Bix]

There is nothing hard about docking, you just need to master the controls and practice a bit more.

Docking in the original elite was tricky, making the docking computer a first and essential purchase.

Dev's made docking in Elite Dangerous fun, I still mess it up now and again.

 

[claretonmyshirt]

Well maybe it's me being a dumb so and so then , but i can get threw the doors no problem, i can find the number, i hover over it and nothing happens, then i get shot down for loitering, watched about 4 you tube's and the schematic of the ship does not come up

 

[Andovar]

if the landing schematic doesn't come up on your radar, then you're not close enough.
also make sure your landing gear is down.

 

[Starscreamd]

Well maybe it's me being a dumb so and so then , but i can get threw the doors no problem, i can find the number, i hover over it and nothing happens, then i get shot down for loitering, watched about 4 you tube's and the schematic of the ship does not come up

Okay, maybe you aren't orientated in the proper direction? It's annoying but you have to be facing a certain direction when landing. Watch the docking pop-up display and make sure the ship on there is facing away from you. Hope this makes sense. AND most importantly landing gear is down.

Also, I have noticed that sometimes the heads up display is bugged on occasion and doesn't come up. I just land normally without it and it still works (although it's not as easy without the beeps to tell you when centered). This might be the problem.

 

[Aerodark]

awww so that's the problem.... well in that case I have no ideia.. maybe a bug or something..
if I were you I'll would ticket + record / youtube it

 

[Helvellyn]

Only problem I've had is smashing into things or going to the wrong pad after too much beer. Get to the pad, get close to the centre, land. Use vertical and lateral thrusters, simple. The only thing that might catch you out is that you need to be facing the right way (towards the control tower).

 

[AH_ImADot]

Well maybe it's me being a dumb so and so then , but i can get threw the doors no problem, i can find the number, i hover over it and nothing happens, then i get shot down for loitering, watched about 4 you tube's and the schematic of the ship does not come up

You might be at the wrong pad, or maybe to high. Your landing gear is down, right?
As far as the OP, I played the original Elite on my Amiga and bought a docking computer as soon as I could. With ED, I spent 5-10 minutes practicing and was landing like a pro. It's not difficult; it's comes down to skill and technique and needs no change by the Dev Team.

 

[comaci]

best way to control docking i find is to deploy landing gear before going through the station doors and kill your engines use thrusters only once your inside, works every time, just make sure you head for the correct landing pad

 

[Rikk]

Drop your landing gear as you approach the tunnel.
Find the number above your pad.
Point your nose directly at the centre of the pad, flying over the angled ramp and facing the 'control tower' type building
Reduce speed as you get closer to about 15 (you get faster as you get better)
pull up slightly just before you touch down.

 

[JackBassV]

I was thinking the landing in this version was too easy. I crashed the first time, then found out you need to be facing the right way! All Problems Solved.

You have nearly 10 minutes to land. My average is 2 minutes.

claretonmyshirt:
If the Schematic doesn't come up, you're probably too high. You need to be less that 30m above the pad for it to appear. If you can't see the radar on the building in front of you, you're too high.
Remember you're in space - you can point the nose straight down if you need to see where you are. Just make sure your speed is zero.

 

[claretonmyshirt]

my landing gear is down , i did not know you had to face the right way, maybe that's it. Just putting some tape across the hole my fist made in the monitor before trying again

 

[thorn-]

atched about 4 you tube's and the schematic of the ship does not come up

The in-game docking tutorial - have you done it?

 

[Exard3k]

Check if your landing gear is deployed (lower right hand corner...glowing blue square next to "LANDING GEAR")

You have to land in a certain direction. Your nose has to face the big wall and your tail should face the airlock (small slot you flew through when entering)

The in-game docking tutorial - have you done it?

It is not helpful with Hotas setup....you just get messages like Press Joystick Button 38 and so.

my landing gear is down , i did not know you had to face the right way, maybe that's it. Just putting some tape across the hole my fist made in the monitor before trying again

Keep us updated on your progress. Tomorrow you'll be an Ace at landing

 

[technophebe]

Check the newcomers guide in my sig, it has a detailed section on how to dock. It helps a lot to change your key bindings (suggestions for this are in the guide too).

 

[thorn-]

It is not helpful with Hotas setup....you just get messages like Press Joystick Button 38 and so.

It's helpful even with a Hotas (that's what i learned with), because you have unlimited time and the station doesn't fine you for loitering. Yes, you have to remember what keys/buttons to push. On that, I can't really think of a solution except "remember what button your gear is."