As is the case with many in the universe, contact with actual human players has been few and far between, let alone a PvP engagement. I recently discovered that I can find players more frequently in conflict zones, but even then I hardly ever saw a hollow red square/triangle (not sure what the difference is). That was until just 45 minutes ago, in an encounter I'll attempt to describe compellingly with my limited writing skills (apologies if this is too long).
Anyway, I was cruising along in a Hight Intensity conflict zone (Durius system) in my viper, fully outfitted internally, with C1 fixed beams and C2 gimballed cannons on the hardpoints. I had been collecting combat bonds for about 30 minutes, sort of in a mindless rhythm of killing one, hotkey targeting next hostile, and moving on.
I then found myself attacking a cobra I had just targeted. I didn't pay attention to my radar, I just maneuvered to his rear and started spewing beam laser at him like any other NPC. It then dawned on me he was a player, and I started getting excited I'd get my first blood. I start unloading my C2 Cannons on him once the shields dropped, and it was going disappointingly like any other NPC fight; he couldn't shake me and I was just relentlessly assaulting him, awaiting his death.
I then realize I'm taking fire from MY tail, and check the radar. Another player in a viper, possibly his friend. In any case, he has decided to join in on the fight. I'm now in a 2v1 situation, and in a moment of sheer panic, I realize I just ran out of cannon ammo!!! My C1 beams aren't going to kill this cobra fast enough, he still has 75% hull. I decide to drop off his tail and engage the Viper, as it is that or die at this point.
The Viper succeeds in dropping my shields as I make this decision, so I have to go on the defensive, boosting as fast as I can into the distance, hoping I can recharge my shields before his beams eat through my hull. Things go from bad to worse as my thrusters suddenly fail, and I start spinning through space with a Viper hot on my heels (I don't know where the cobra went at this point). I manage to spam my chaff enough to avoid death, and eventually my thrusters come back online, as do my shields, before he has a chance to kill me. I'm at 56% hull at this point.
I re-engage, and out-maneuver the Viper (Perhaps I'm better outfitted). Now I'm on HIS tail, the cobra seems to have fled the scene thank the gods, and I'm beaming him with my C1 lasers. His shields drop, and on the chase goes as I impatiently try to melt his hull with my lasers, cursing myself that I lingered too long in the zone without resupplying my cannons.
Suddenly the cobra is back in the action, assaulting me with 4 beam lasers. My shields drop again, the Viper realizes his fortune has turned, and he comes after me as well. I realize my number is up, and go for one more pass at the Viper as he is barreling towards me. I decide then and there: I'm not running damnit, so I'm going to take this Viper with me if it's the last thing i do! We both had no shields and 50-60% hull.
I turn towards him, and he is jetting towards me full speed all weapons firing, and I'm returning the favor. I line up, and ram directly head on into him, which of course results in my death. However, I spin away as I explode, and I can't see what became of him! I can only hope that I took him with me, but I'm satisfied knowing I put up one hell of a fight.
When the fight was over i realized my heart was pounding and my hands were sweaty. This was the most intense gaming experience I've had in a LOOONG time. I love this game.
****TLDR: ended up in 2v1 in my Viper against a Viper and cobra. Put up a good fight, and possibly took the Viper with me with a kamakaze head on collision. I was highly excited even a few minutes after the fight was over.
Anyway, I was cruising along in a Hight Intensity conflict zone (Durius system) in my viper, fully outfitted internally, with C1 fixed beams and C2 gimballed cannons on the hardpoints. I had been collecting combat bonds for about 30 minutes, sort of in a mindless rhythm of killing one, hotkey targeting next hostile, and moving on.
I then found myself attacking a cobra I had just targeted. I didn't pay attention to my radar, I just maneuvered to his rear and started spewing beam laser at him like any other NPC. It then dawned on me he was a player, and I started getting excited I'd get my first blood. I start unloading my C2 Cannons on him once the shields dropped, and it was going disappointingly like any other NPC fight; he couldn't shake me and I was just relentlessly assaulting him, awaiting his death.
I then realize I'm taking fire from MY tail, and check the radar. Another player in a viper, possibly his friend. In any case, he has decided to join in on the fight. I'm now in a 2v1 situation, and in a moment of sheer panic, I realize I just ran out of cannon ammo!!! My C1 beams aren't going to kill this cobra fast enough, he still has 75% hull. I decide to drop off his tail and engage the Viper, as it is that or die at this point.
The Viper succeeds in dropping my shields as I make this decision, so I have to go on the defensive, boosting as fast as I can into the distance, hoping I can recharge my shields before his beams eat through my hull. Things go from bad to worse as my thrusters suddenly fail, and I start spinning through space with a Viper hot on my heels (I don't know where the cobra went at this point). I manage to spam my chaff enough to avoid death, and eventually my thrusters come back online, as do my shields, before he has a chance to kill me. I'm at 56% hull at this point.
I re-engage, and out-maneuver the Viper (Perhaps I'm better outfitted). Now I'm on HIS tail, the cobra seems to have fled the scene thank the gods, and I'm beaming him with my C1 lasers. His shields drop, and on the chase goes as I impatiently try to melt his hull with my lasers, cursing myself that I lingered too long in the zone without resupplying my cannons.
Suddenly the cobra is back in the action, assaulting me with 4 beam lasers. My shields drop again, the Viper realizes his fortune has turned, and he comes after me as well. I realize my number is up, and go for one more pass at the Viper as he is barreling towards me. I decide then and there: I'm not running damnit, so I'm going to take this Viper with me if it's the last thing i do! We both had no shields and 50-60% hull.
I turn towards him, and he is jetting towards me full speed all weapons firing, and I'm returning the favor. I line up, and ram directly head on into him, which of course results in my death. However, I spin away as I explode, and I can't see what became of him! I can only hope that I took him with me, but I'm satisfied knowing I put up one hell of a fight.
When the fight was over i realized my heart was pounding and my hands were sweaty. This was the most intense gaming experience I've had in a LOOONG time. I love this game.
****TLDR: ended up in 2v1 in my Viper against a Viper and cobra. Put up a good fight, and possibly took the Viper with me with a kamakaze head on collision. I was highly excited even a few minutes after the fight was over.
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