Try not to settle on the Guardian FSD booster when you're aiming for the FSD
Honestly, I wasn't expecting to see a Guardian FSD booster (I keep forgetting it exists) and wasn't particularly concerned with what module the frags were pointed at after the thrusters went down the first time.
Regardless, I figured it would be easy enough to knockout the thrusters if they lit up again...and it was. His reboot finishes when he's at 28% hull, then his drives go dark again at ~12%, which was too late to do it again.
Definitely not. I can't hit the broad side of a barn with a Plasma FdL. FAon perhaps, FAoff no.
I find plasma and cannon the least sensitive of all fixed weapons to to FA On vs. FA Off, as they don't need to be held on the target, or moved to it in timing with a mandatory delay. I can't aim rails for crap with FA off while using a stick (well not my sticks anyway), but PAs are much more forgiving, at least in this regard. Of course, landing hitscan is much easier than leading a target with a projectile, when both the firing platform and said target may be moving erratically.
One problem I have is that I fly ships that tend to be less manoeuvrable than others, my FGS, Krait or sometimes Challenger. The problem I have is when I get into a joust type situation the other guy is passed me before I get a shot away.
Advice or thoughts on this would be appreciated, clearly I try to change my vectors and keep as much time on target as I can but it's definitely against Cmdr's where I fall down
Challenger and even FGS should have the rotationals to keep on almost any target, but the Krait is super sensitive to blue zone and will often require a lot of FA off to reduce closing velocity enough to keep up with more agile ships that are trying to orbit it.
I have very mixed feelings about the Kraits for this reason. My FA Off aim is not good, and FA On (with appropriately timed toggling) considerably aids in projectile evasion with most ships, but I just cannot keep up with better pilots in more agile vessels if I stay FA On most of the time in a Krait. Boost abuse only goes so far...against more modest pilots the firepower and durability dominates, but when I fight top tier ones in FDLs I embarrass myself in that ship without an SLF and gimbaled weapons to make up for my fumbling.
You don't need such manoeuvrability when your opponent is flying in to headbutt you.
The upside to this is that if they aren't flying to headbutt me, I have a pretty good shot at dodging standard velocity PA fire, even in a Krait...and if they are flying to head butt my Krait, well the Krait is almost twice the mass of an FDL or Mamba, so they are welcome to it. Those class six biweaves will be back in no time.
It's those pilots with enough control to boost orbit in nice tight loops while never flying directly toward me, who can still keep the pressure up while doing so that I find most troublesome.
good boost multiplier and strong lats/verts is crucial for the reticule manipulation to keep good time on target with PAs. FDL, Chieftain, Viper, Vulture. If you're having trouble landing shots in jousts then your issue is about positioning though. You don't need such manoeuvrability when your opponent is flying in to headbutt you. But if you're always chasing their reticule instead of preparing to set up shots then you'll always be behind the curve trying to get damage out.
