Newcomer / Intro Need a little help with combat

[CMDR Stasher]

Hello everyone,

Some help would be very much appreciated. So, I have picked up on some strategies that seem to work well in regards to bounty hunting, such as joining in against opponent after it is weakened by security forces and targeting power plant, but I am getting annihilated in combat zones. I know the NPCs tend to be of better caliber in these areas, and they have better equipment. I prefer flying the Viper MKIII for the better maneuverability, I run with a class A shield, mil composite hull, and shield boosters in utility spots. I try to stick to the outside of the combat area and pick on easier targets (ie eagles and vipers already engaged), but as soon as I engage I am immediately jumped and my shield are non-existent before I have time to act. Even full pips to engine and boosting my     off rarely gets me out of there in time to jump to supercruise. Obviously, I am doing something wrong, so any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ism]

Jump in, don't pick a side.
Fly till you are just at the place you are out of range or very close (around 5-7Km).
Pick a side, size up a target already in combat and have fun.

 

[Chris Simon]

^^this

Also try to pick focal points of fighting where your allies outnumber the enemies. Then there is a good chance you'll stay unnoticed.

 

[the100thmonkey]

The manoeuvrability ratings can be somewhat counter-intuitive. The Viper III has a slow turn-rate but very good acceleration on all three translation axes. Putting mil-spec armour on the Viper further impacts the turn-rate. It's rather more a zoom-and-boom fighter than a close quarters brawler.

I suspect that one of the issues you're having is railgun spam. The Viper's shields are good for its size, but an A-rated shield without boosters still only has 179Mj of strength, while a single medium rail hits with 43Mj. One trick with the Viper is to keep lateral/vertical speed up. This will reduce the number of hits from the railguns. Of course, the NPCs are effectively aimbots, so this is only somewhat effective. Another strategy is to try to use the translation thrusters to circle your enemy, staying out of their firing arc.

Of course, these tactics only work if the NPCs don't perceive you as the highest threat in the CZ, because then they gang up on you.

 

[BigBANGtheory [VR]]

imho you can get away with almost any ship in a RES site but a CZ requires a ship who's shields can tank a bit

 

[CMDR Stasher]

Jump in, don't pick a side.
Fly till you are just at the place you are out of range or very close (around 5-7Km).
Pick a side, size up a target already in combat and have fun.

Thanks I will give this a shot.

^^this

Also try to pick focal points of fighting where your allies outnumber the enemies. Then there is a good chance you'll stay unnoticed.

I have tried to do this, but honestly it is hard to keep track of all your allies while engaged in combat. It almost seems like when I engage the enemy, they purposely draw me away from my allies and toward their allies so they can jump me and I'm toast before I realize I'm in trouble.

 

[Chris Simon]

I have tried to do this, but honestly it is hard to keep track of all your allies while engaged in combat. It almost seems like when I engage the enemy, they purposely draw me away from my allies and toward their allies so they can jump me and I'm toast before I realize I'm in trouble.

That's true. With time you will learn to watch the radar and fight at the same time, though, so it gets easier.

 

[Seneleron]

Just to make sure, because I didn't realize this until I recently watched a video:

Before you engage, you're going to the right side panel, all the way to the last tab, and making sure to pick a faction before engaging, correct?

I'm just asking because I've had a few experiences such as you've described, and had NO IDEA I had to actively go into a menu to "pick a side". I just thought it declared by whoever I engaged first...

 

[CMDR Stasher]

Just to make sure, because I didn't realize this until I recently watched a video:

Before you engage, you're going to the right side panel, all the way to the last tab, and making sure to pick a faction before engaging, correct?

I'm just asking because I've had a few experiences such as you've described, and had NO IDEA I had to actively go into a menu to "pick a side". I just thought it declared by whoever I engaged first...

Hrmmmm, that is a good point. I was under the impression that the group you fired on became hostile, but now that I think about it, that doesn't necessarily mean that the faction you are fighting for would back you up (turn friendly). Is that part of the problem? I usually just make sure that I'm targeting the right ship and jump in before selecting a side.

 

[Don Alvarez]

Hrmmmm, that is a good point. I was under the impression that the group you fired on became hostile, but now that I think about it, that doesn't necessarily mean that the faction you are fighting for would back you up (turn friendly). Is that part of the problem? I usually just make sure that I'm targeting the right ship and jump in before selecting a side.

Elite wars are gentlemanly affairs with all manner of etiquette and guidelines, and the consequences for not following can be severe. Think of naval warfare going back to time immemorial, where even if you sailed under false colours you still needed to hoist the correct one before engaging an enemy. In elite, if you enter a CZ and open fire without declaring a side you will instantly become hostis humani generis, an enemy of mankind, and as consequence both embattled sides will immediately call a cease fire and join together to administer justice.

 

[CMDR Mr. Boombastic]

Next time you are in a conflict zone (CZ)......:

Spoiler

[video=youtube_share;-82VGGFeOyI]https://youtu.be/-82VGGFeOyI[/video]

Although have you tried combat in the 4 different levels of RES (Resource Extraction Site) as those are easier than CZ and a good way to build up skills before attempting CZ?

 

[CMDR Stasher]

Next time you are in a conflict zone (CZ)......:

Spoiler

https://youtu.be/-82VGGFeOyI

Although have you tried combat in the 4 different levels of RES (Resource Extraction Site) as those are easier than CZ and a good way to build up skills before attempting CZ?

Lol, love the music. Yes, RES are much better (and easier) for making money. I rarely get destroyed in an RES, because I jumped in after system security is already hammering my target. I have been trying CZs as part of swaying influence in systems. Thank you all for the info. I didn't realize I was fair game for everyone if I did not declare a side right from the get go. That explains a lot.