PvP Interdiction : what determines how powerful it is?

This a basic question but the other day I was pulled out of SC and rapidly pulped by a wing of two commanders. No complaints from me about the nature of the attack - I always play in open and I accept the risks that go with it. In this case I was definitely a legitimate target as I'm signed to a rival power and was returning to my home system on powerplay business. What I noticed, though was that the mini game of evading interdiction was a LOT harder against real players rather than the game generated opponents who I encounter more regularly trying it on. In fact without realising it even was a real player, I could tell immediately from the way the interdiction evasion was playing out that there was something much more difficult happening and I was going to lose and drop into combat. How is the difficulty of evading interdiction determined? If you're in a wing can multiple players lock onto the same target and both interdict? I wondered afterwards if that was what had happend here.
 
There's a magical mystery formula!

No, more than one cannot lock on to you - not that I've ever heard.

VS NPCs, expect to win everytime. Except possibly in a D-rated T-9.
VS PCs, expect to lose a lot. It can/does depend on both ships relative SC handling, but I think that's it.

In the future, if it's another player and you're losing, submit (zero throttle). This will greatly reduce your FSD cooldown time and you should be able to hi wake to safety.
 
Only one Commander can interdict you at one time.

Regarding the relative difficulty I've always had an easier time of it at higher supercruise speeds and away from gravity wells. Ship types seem to matter as well (in fact the T7 got a buff to supercruise handling a while back - not sure if other transports did?). I only interdict in my FDL and have real trouble against other FDLs and Clippers. Anything else (even T7s) I usually win.

Humming this also helps (I'm not even joking not even a little bit):

[video=youtube;HcZ9kQ1h-ZY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcZ9kQ1h-ZY[/video]
 
This a basic question but the other day I was pulled out of SC and rapidly pulped by a wing of two commanders. No complaints from me about the nature of the attack - I always play in open and I accept the risks that go with it. In this case I was definitely a legitimate target as I'm signed to a rival power and was returning to my home system on powerplay business. What I noticed, though was that the mini game of evading interdiction was a LOT harder against real players rather than the game generated opponents who I encounter more regularly trying it on. In fact without realising it even was a real player, I could tell immediately from the way the interdiction evasion was playing out that there was something much more difficult happening and I was going to lose and drop into combat. How is the difficulty of evading interdiction determined? If you're in a wing can multiple players lock onto the same target and both interdict? I wondered afterwards if that was what had happend here.

I suspect it also has a lot to do with equipment ... it is said that a mouse is a more precise tool for interdicting, and flying against it with a joystick is one step below it, with a keyboard only .... well ... not a lot of chance against a human player, I should imagine.

Then there is the player equipped not only with full HOTAS, but also pedals. They probably have the advantage against you, unless you are at least as well equipped.

It's a situation where "pay to win" in terms of kit may actually be true.
 
What I know:

* The size/rating of the interdictor on the interdicting ship seems to make a difference. You get what you pay for in that regard.
* Players are naturally going to be better at it.
* The longer an interdiction goes, the more "swingy" it gets. The speed the bars move at accelerates over time.
* Your best supercruise maneuverability is at 50% throttle. You will likely have the most success evading interdictions at this setting.

What I don't know:
* Do the motions of the attacker have any direct effect on the speed/direction the target vector moves for the defender? Are there things the attacker can do to make it more difficult for the defender?
 

AP Birdman

Banned
What I don't know:
* Do the motions of the attacker have any direct effect on the speed/direction the target vector moves for the defender? Are there things the attacker can do to make it more difficult for the defender?

As the attacker, the more accurately I can keep my reticle directly on you, the more "impossible" it is for you to escape.
 
Your best supercruise maneuverability is at 50% throttle. You will likely have the most success evading interdictions at this setting.

This reminds me! Thinking of it like a race car helps - slow down in the curves and hit the gas in the straightaways.

As an aside, clearly we're dealing with the most arcane magic in all of Elite.
 
Thanks guys, this is helpful for a new commander like me.

I usually win (escape) the race against AI opponents, but must admit that once an AI pirate interdicted me in my T6.

Keeping the throttle in the blue region certainly helps. My stresslevels during interdictions are much lower since I figured that out. [smile]
 
Is that true?
I find that when I throttle down to blue to catch & keep the reticule, my bars do not climb as fast as when I throttle down, catch the reticule, then throttle up.
Imagination?
 
From what I understand you can equip a long range and expanded arc interdictor and get the benefits of both. Grab anyone almost anyway you like. I don’t believe it gives any kind of advantage in the indiction mini game.

Good for gank ships that can afford the additional module slot - like a Clipper. Never done it myself.
 
Is that true?
I find that when I throttle down to blue to catch & keep the reticule, my bars do not climb as fast as when I throttle down, catch the reticule, then throttle up.
Imagination?

You are probably right there.
I am a new pilot, and although I am already Mostly Harmles on the forum, I am actually still extremely harmles in the game :p

For me, catching the reticule in the first place is still difficult enough.
 
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