Newcomer / Intro Docking Problems... Does this game get better?

[Jadentsu]

So I'm extremely new to this game. I'm still trying to figure out how to do the basic stuff... I'm practicing docking at stations right now, and every time I get to the pad I'm supposed to land on it tells me I'm loitering. I don't understand... Why does my assigned pad keep changing every 10 seconds??? It's super frustrating... I've been trying to dock at the same station for 15 minutes now, and every time I manage to locate the pad I'm supposed to dock at it changes to a different one! Any pointers? If something as simple as docking at a space station is this infuriating, I fail to see how the rest of the game is going to be any better... Thus far, kind of regretting my purchase...

 

[CMDR Mark Val]

Hi Jadentsu,

I think almost all players go through that same frustration. The key is to be patient and believe me after going thru it over and over again you eventually get good at it. Let me just say 2 points here about docking:

1) Docking is super critical - When you start playing in the E : D universe you will encounter all types of stations with different shapes and form and this will require you to be good at docking. It can be starports, or orbitals or landing pads - YOU NEED TO BE COMFORTABLE in learning how to dock in all these kinda different types of stations.

2) Practice practice practice . Learning how to use your thrusters will be paramount for a successful docking. usually what I do once I have entered the orbital docking space is to immediately turn off my throttle and see where my docking pad number is at and then slowly align my self so that i am straight ahead to my docking number. then once I am aligned I just thrust forward and reach my docking pad number. Once I am in my docking pad number I use my up and down thrusters and left-right thrusters to align to the landing site. After doing this a couple of times you really get the hang of it. Its like driving a car or riding a bike - you instinctively know what to do.

3) I hear there is an automatic docking computer that is available for you to upgrade. I suppose this provides automatic docking assistance - has anyone used this before? I have not bought it yet as I dont have many slots in my sidewinder. Perhaps you can Youtube this to find out more if you are truly struggling with docking?

Hope this helps

 

[Architecture]

I've occasionally had a station tell me I'm loitering if I'm zeroing in on my pad and cross too close to another pad to which I'm not assigned. I've also had issues with smaller outposts wherein I couldn't figure out which side of the station had the exterior pads. In those instances, I've gone back into my contacts tab and cancelled my docking request and issued another one.

A given station should grant you 10 minutes to land, which I've found to be more than generous in terms of finding your space and parking.

 

[Dommarraa]

Your pad allocation does not change.
Don't ask for permission till you are lined up with the slot
Know what your number is
As you go through the slot look for your number in the distance
Once through the slot use the mini radar, the full dot is your pad

In a small ship like a sidey, you do not have to worry about rotation and going in horizontal. Your tiny ship can go in sideways no problem at all.

 

[NikodemusDSD]

The Docking Computer uses one internal slot, but it docks your ship. After docking permission set your Speed to zero and the Docking Computer does the rest.

If you can not afford a Docking Computer and you need help finding your landingplattform: The little crosshair left to your radar shows you the direction like it does when you select any other navigational target. As soon as you get the docking permission it guides you to the station entrance and after that to your landingpat. At outposts it points direct to your landingpat, even if it is on the other side of the outpost.

 

[cryon1cang3l]

I would not rely on the docking computer. Its helpful if you are lazy or fly a huge ship like the t9, but you have to learn how to dock manually. Specially if you plan to do some illegal stuff or simply get the wanted status - thats the point when you want to sneak into the station and/or do it as fast as possible. So docking with any kind of ship in under a minute is a pretty nice skill to have and will save you from time to time.

 

[drspikes]

The most helpful advice is, land like a plane, not a helicopter. As in, swoop down, nose to the target, rather than fly to above it, then try to drop down onto it. I'm about 40 landings in, and it just feels fantastic when I nail the landing in one movement. I manage a good landing about 2 thirds of the time now. Occaisionally I muck it up and bounce all over the place (hoping no human is watching!)

The landing pad never changes during the 10 minute landing window. My typical landing time is about 60—70 seconds these days.

 

[TorTorden_VR]

Hi.
Also fairly new here, bought this at the start of last week sometime (dunno exactly these few days has been a bit hazy)
Docking can be tricky, and actually if you are using joysticks or something it might even be more difficult, only using kb+mouse atm myself.
Had an old Hotas setup back in the 90's but that got lost during the whole "setting off on my own thing" some 12-15 years ago
Gosh, this game almost makes me feel old since I do barely remember the originals.

What centipede says in post 2 is all you need to know but I'l reiterate: practice practice practice.
And add that thruster controls really, particularily reverse thrust is a god send (and for me this was unbound to start with)
Since most can dock in a minute or less with said practice, the docking computer is pretty much just a throwback to old elite so they can include the docking music, hardly any will use it, but if they didn't have it us older nerds would riot.
[video=youtube;3JwmZygqa_0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JwmZygqa_0[/video]

 

[Kuroshio]

While I'm all for "land like a plane", planes don't land with their noses down. It's also unnecessary, if you keep your pitch (and roll) axis level relative to the pad, you can land with downward thrusters and forward throttle only.

 

[Miklos Atreides]

Just to add some basic hints.

If you are following the common naval navigation rules having the green light at the slot on starboard (right) the pad numbering starts at the bottom and is going clockwise.
The stations have 45 pads each row numbered from front to rear. Your little pointing indicator upper left corner of your radar will guide you to your slot.

Don't reduce hight too early. you may bother someones pad which results in that nasty warning while sitll approaching your pad.

10 minutes is a lot of time. Landing can be done unstressed in regular within 120 seconds when requesting pad at 7km distance from station.

Outposts are different as they follow their own rules in numbering their pads. Depending on how you left Supercruise you will have to circle around the station to find your pad.

Fly safe and experience is all thats needed for landing, no miracles or magic here.

Regards,
Miklos

 

[EvulKlowne]

Assigned pad does not change during the alloted 10 mins time you have for docking at your pad.
Maybe you are getting confused by pads lighting up for other players/NPCs?
Have you actually requested docking permission first?
If you have successfully requested docking permission, you should see a message in blue (cyan) above your radar telling you your assigned pad and docking time; see screen shot at step 10 here: http://elite-dangerous.frontierspace.co.uk/a-newbies-guide-to-docking-in-elite-dangerous/
If you haven't requested docking permission, follow steps 5-6 in above URL. When following steps 5-6 make sure you don't confuse Navigation tab with Contacts tab. You need to select the station in Contacts tab (not in Navigation tab) and then select request docking.

Edit: Also refer to page 94 and onwards of the Elite: Dangerous Pilot's Guide (https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=34437) and the associated youtube video (http://youtu.be/Tru44Mj_vdI)

 

[Hellhawk666]

This will not help you right now, but just keep practicing. In time you will wonder why you ever thought it was difficult.

 

[Bulldog1954]

My advice is to change your landing mode thruster bindings in the options menu so that you are sure about up/ down left/ right forward and backward. Lower the landing gear. Manouvre with the throttle at zero. The correct pad number is shown when you request the landing then use your radar to find it. Fly straight at the pad, look for the control tower and land with it directly in front of you. Hope this helps.

 

[MrTomsk]

I would add to what has already been said:-

Finding the pad - The pad number you have been allocated is in the centre lower half of your screen, with an outpost, orbit until you see the glowing pad marker and the pad number.

Alignment - All pads have the same layout, a ramp at one side and a tower on the other. You need the front of your ship to face the tower.

Final descent - Once you get close, the landing hologram will appear showing your position relative to the pad. Use the wasdqe keys to hover your ship over the centre ring, and x to stop your movement. then press f to descend.

 

[flAzer]

Thank you for this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JwmZygqa_0

 

[Chrisfs]

Docking is the first big thing that Elite throws at you and it does so right away. Everybody gets to learn docking. I was lucky in that I just happened to choose a platform for my first docking. So I got to practice landing first and didn't have to worry about rotating until later. I would recommend that. (it took me a while to realize that the back of your ship needs to be facing you, follow every detail of the example docking in the tutorials provided by elite and elsewhere). youtube will likely have some good videos if you search for elite dangerous docking tutorial. It gets funner after you learn to dock.

 

[Jeggred86]

While learning to dock always equip a shield. Later when you are good enough and want to trade you can sell your shield for more cargo space (for the smaller ships where every Ton count).

 

[Lupin]

Are you playing in game solo or open? if so use elite dangerous docking tutorial which comes with game to practice.

Also quick trip use nav-compass to find pad and/or enclosed image.

 

[Jadentsu]

Thanks all for the replies (so many so quickly)! As I continue to play, I continue to learn. I am not positive, but I think I was not docking at the proper landing station. After realizing that the system tells me what station to dock at by number, and locating that number, it doesn't seem to change on my anymore. I guess newbie question requires newbie answer :/ Thanks again everyone!