Newcomer / Intro New player: Can't figure out weapons switching/firing logic

Strrummer

S
In the basic combat tutorial, I can fire my cannons but when prompted to switch weapons, I can't. This is either because the default ED Warthog HOTAS map has the same (Joy 5) button assigned to both Select Target Ahead and Second Fire Group, or, more likely, I am not understanding something simple about how this works. It's driving me crazy.

What is the exact procedure, please? In other words, do I use the primary trigger for cannons but the missile release button for lasers? The latter didn't work in the tutorial and I am stumped re how to switch between weapons and whether there is a different trigger. Does the screen on the right have anything to do with this? I can't progress in combat until I figure this out so I would appreciate assistance. Many thanks.
 

Chris Simon

Chris Simon
Best thing you could do is to check the controls settings.
You need three basic functions bound - Primary and secondary trigger and "next firegroup" switch.

Each firegroup consists of two triggers. Primary and secondary. That means that for example in one firegroup you can have some lasers on primary trigger and missiles or cannons on secondary trigger.
Check your right hand panel. There is a Firegroups tab where you can assign each weapon (or scanners and other utilities) to either primary(1) or secondary(2) trigger. Each column represents one firegroup.

It also might be an issue of not having the secondary trigger bound on your joystick.
 
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Strrummer

S
Chris Simon said:
Best thing you could do is to check the controls settings.
You need three basic functions bound - Primary and secondary trigger and "next firegroup" switch.

Each firegroup consists of two triggers. Primary and secondary. That means that for example in one firegroup you can have some lasers on primary trigger and missiles or cannons on secondary trigger.
Check your right hand panel. There is a Firegroups tab where you can assign each weapon (or scanners and other utilities) to either primary(1) or secondary(2) trigger. Each column represents one firegroup.

It also might be an issue of not having the secondary trigger bound on your joystick.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I have solved the immediate problem because I realised that the Controls interface does not specify which controller the numbers refer to, so it was on Throttle Button 5 (the thumb hat) not Joy 5 (the Target Ahead button). I will have to sort out the primary and secondary trigger mapping; thanks for the guidance. In the basic combat tutorial mission I've noticed that the secondary trigger is null for cannons (Group 1) so when I get more competent I will experiment with assigning a weapon to it. I assume this means that I could fire lasers in Group 1 using the secondary trigger without having to switch weapons groups at all...?
 

Mo Ronik

Mo Ronik
I have my Y key bound to the primary fire group, the U key bound to the secondary fire group and the I key bound to the cycle next fire group so I can switch quickly between them. I think I'm only gonna need 3 fire groups on one ship, my exploration ship, so I can operate all the stuff needed for both the FSS and DSS. Pretty sure my other ships will only need two fire groups since I don't do a large selection of different weapons but we'll see how that pans out. Always tweaking and experimenting to see what works best.
 

CooterCrickets87

CooterCrickets87
I found dealing with key binds the be the most frustrating thing when starting this game.

I had to set up a custom control to use my joystick. I would run into a situation and would find out the hard way I did not bind that function
 

Mo Ronik

Mo Ronik
It's definitely a steep hill to climb. Fortunately for me I know how to code so opening up the binds file and manually editing it wasn't too bad. Finding what terminology is used for what command was the biggest hurdle. For instance: ToggleButtonUpInput is the code input for silent running. Once you figure out what the code inputs are it becomes an easy go.

First thing I did with my HOTAS was identify every button or stick movement I could assign a function to. Dunno about the defaults since I never looked at them. Then, one at a time, assign what function I wanted and then test it out. I just bound a bunch of keys to the new FSS and I have yet to test them out but it's on the list of things to do. More post-it notes on my monitor... hahaha
 
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Dharrch Streynjer

Dharrch Streynjer
If you have a Logitech or Saitek HOTAS you might want to download their software and HOTAS profiles. They have an ELITE Dangerous profile which might assist.
It really is worth your time to go through your keybinds and then save them as per my Tutorial on How-to-preserve-your-precious-custom-controller-bindings

Another thing worth mentioning is that you can use 2 button combinations for lesser used actions.
Also there's no reason not to use the same buttons you use to control the ship for controlling your SRV and SLF.

o7
 
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Strrummer

S
Thanks for all the good advice.

I solved my immediate problem, which was finding the key to switch fire groups. Now I have to figure out the two-stage trigger thing. I happen to have a trigger with a detent on my Warthog joystick; does this work as the two-stage trigger you mention? What do people do who don't have that feature on their joystick? And would I be correct in assuming that I could put cannons on trigger stage one and lasers on trigger stage two and therefore be able to fire each weapon without switching to fire group two, which is where the lasers are in the combat tutorial? Sorry about my novice questions but, as has been said, it's a steep learning curve. I am giving myself a headache. I will now go and read the manual.
 

Dharrch Streynjer

Dharrch Streynjer
Absolutely everybody has a different setup so advice on your particular setup is impossible. There really is no substitute for going through the bindings in the Options/Contrls menu. and setting them all as you want them.
If the setting doesn't take then it will noit work. It's as simple as that.

o7
 

aRJay

aRJay
Keep in mind that the manual is now notoriously out of date.

As stated above go through the control bindings setting things to what you want, then do basic training missions and change things until you are happy and things feel comfortable to use.
 

CooterCrickets87

CooterCrickets87
Dharrch Streynjer said:
If you have a Logitech or Saitek HOTAS you might want to download their software and HOTAS profiles. They have an ELITE Dangerous profile which might assist.
It really is worth your time to go through your keybinds and then save them as per my Tutorial on How-to-preserve-your-precious-custom-controller-bindings

Another thing worth mentioning is that you can use 2 button combinations for lesser used actions.
Also there's no reason not to use the same buttons you use to control the ship for controlling your SRV and SLF.

o7
Click to expand...


I have a Logitech 3D stick. I have failed to find a link for a profile.

have a link for that ?
 
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