Favored Tactic: Feed Pirates to Stars

IndigoWyrd

IndigoWyrd
If you've gone anywhere in Elite, you've run into that NPC who's come a long way for what's in your hold - even when it's empty.

NPC pirates just love to interdict, and I've devised a tactic to turn their love of dict against them:

Hang around fuel scooping as long as you possibly can, until you see them trying to position themselves behind you.
Turn your aft end towards the star and wait.

That little rectangle will soon disappear into the star, as they fly too close and are forced to emergency-stop and suck some heat damage.

Continue on your way with a smile on your face, content with the knowledge you really, really brightened up someone's day.

---

Got a favorite tactic to share? Let's see what you've got.
 

ilo

ilo
This has been probably in all 'how to avoid getting interdicted' guides in this forum. The other one is the chicken run where you keep running around the star/planet/whatever while the target comes after you.
 

SushiCW

SushiCW
I do this too. Although every time, I sort of hope the AI will be improved and not just sun / planet dive.
 

z993126

z993126
Used to enjoy dropping in at a station just ahead of the pirate, who would then be blasted to smithereens for opening fire in no-fire zone...

Nowadays, the pirates do a little 'if you're clean, I'll leave you alone' song-and-dance. :/
 

IndigoWyrd

IndigoWyrd
z993126 said:
Used to enjoy dropping in at a station just ahead of the pirate, who would then be blasted to smithereens for opening fire in no-fire zone...

Nowadays, the pirates do a little 'if you're clean, I'll leave you alone' song-and-dance. :/
Click to expand...

It is still possible to get them to violate the no-fire zone, but you have to draw their fire just before you cross it, they don't have the best trigger discipline, and will almost always take that next shot... though it seems the local authority ships respond before the station does, giving the pirate cause to turn and run - at which point you need only wait, tag the pirate with a few shots, and free bounty voucher. Just be sure to exit the NFZ before you tag them.
 

fsdraconis

fsdraconis
I personally like learning where you can intentionally start a gravity dive into the station. It takes some practice. But there is 2 methods.

As you are nearing the station, you can go full throttle at 3 to 4 Mm's out and still be able to exit super cruise in time for a safe entrance.

The other method takes a bit more practice. At around 12 Mm you can start a gravity dive just barely and then pull back on the throttle to 0. If you do this just right, you will slowly increase in speed and not blast by the target.

The net result is less time getting to the station. Sometimes, cutting that down by a second can be all that is needed to beat a pirate.

Another method I have used is intentionally flying past the planet full throttle, turn around and then use the above tactics to get to the station first. The pirate will not be able to speed up like you, or slow down like you do to their position versus yours with the planet. ( I only do this if the station is on the opposite side of the planet from where I am coming in. )
 

Vardaugas

Vardaugas
Managed to avoid a few interdictions by accelerating towards the final stretch to my target, usually where the pirates position themselves to interdict, at around 5 seconds to goal. Then I spiral in while going too fast, forcing the pirate to reposition themselves all the time sending them into a wave from one side of me to the other, still too fast to align, while I have slowed down enough for a point approach to the target. Guess only works when they're in a bigger ship, too clumsy to find the alignment again after being thrown a curve.
 

Clicker

Clicker
IndigoWyrd said:
If you've gone anywhere in Elite, you've run into that NPC who's come a long way for what's in your hold - even when it's empty.

NPC pirates just love to interdict, and I've devised a tactic to turn their love of dict against them:

Hang around fuel scooping as long as you possibly can, until you see them trying to position themselves behind you.
Turn your aft end towards the star and wait.

That little rectangle will soon disappear into the star, as they fly too close and are forced to emergency-stop and suck some heat damage.

Continue on your way with a smile on your face, content with the knowledge you really, really brightened up someone's day.

---

Got a favorite tactic to share? Let's see what you've got.
Click to expand...

Oldie but a goodie!

Clicker
 

Limoncello Lizard

Limoncello Lizard
If I'm in a trade or mining ship, and I'm getting chased y pirates, I like to lead them into convoy USS. The convoy NPCs will often tear into any pirates that turn up.
 

Arindor

Arindor
I fly towards my destination at a wide'ish angle. When an NPC lines up to interdict, I switch the angle to the other side of my destination. On approach, I slingshot round until I can safely disengage from SC to arrive at my destination.

It's a moderately successful tactic. However, NPCs having ninja-like spawning abilities feels borked tbh, although evading NPC interdiction is easier than it was giving you the choice to submit and fight or run away. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom