Lateral thrusters in combat or just parking?

[bassman]

I've taken to using "opposite lock" in order to try and create a tighter turn when at corner speed in combat.

As the "Y" axis thrusters are spaced about the hull however, they don't push the back end down faster when pulling back so am I imagining that they give me a tighter turn? I have not empirically tested this, its purely a cup-of-tea query.

Are lateral thrusters any use in combat or purely for docking? what do you use them for?

Thrusters cannot increase your turn rate, but the "opposite lock" thrusting you describe can be used to increase your angle of attach on target by allowing you to simultaneously rotate and increase distance to the target (the larger distance gives you a smaller angle to rotate though to get a lock).

 

[Unpleasant]

I use lateral trusters pretty much all the time. Docking, combat or just general flight...doesn't matter really. Find them extremely useful.

Pretty much this ^^^

 

[CMDR Darkler]

I use them all the time, especially when trying to line up with the letterboxes.. rotate 90% and use laterals, then rotate back.. or mixed with yaw when you need to do a slow 90% turn for example coming in from the side of a station (that allows you to keep the letterbox in view the entire time).