Elite / Frontier New to Elite. No, Really!

[Panserbjorn]

Yes, I know that I suck, but it's true!

I've been a PC Gamer since about '93, but somehow the Elite series and I never crossed paths. Well, after nearly a decade and a half, here I am. The thing that suprises me most is this: Elite is often referred to in awe and wonder, lauded as one of the most important games ever. Yet, in my trawl for information, help and tips, all I've find is a tiny remnant of a dying community, and this strikes me as a huge shame. For this reason, when I found this enclave of those still loyal, I felt it was my duty to register.

As yet I've not really been able to acheive much in the game, but I'm enjoying the learning process. There's something here that most modern games lack - a meaningful complexity. I've found learning to navigate and fly tough, but there is a real sense of acheivement at finally making a successful hyperspace jump. The biggest problem I'm facing at the minute is combat. I'm trying the Ross 154 - Formalhaut route, but I keep being jumped by another ship, and try as I might, I come off worst in the inevitable fight (I can barely get a shot in with my crappy laser!)

Does anyone have any combat tips for a total newbie? I see from a previous post that many of you didn't enjoy the combat in Frontier, but I would still like to try and master it!

 

[ToadMan]

Hi,

Well combat in FE/FFE had its good and bad points. Personally I think the game rightly used realistic physics for combat, but wrongly gave you weapons that weren't suitable for that.

It was mentioned before on the forum, combat in a scenario as depicted by FE/FFE would be more like a submarine simulation, or at least beyond-visual-range combat reminiscient of modern interceptor aircraft.

Unfortunately most people would find the lack of in your face space combat boring/intimidating/complex etc.

The only tip I have for FE/FFE is not to try and run before you can walk. If you can avoid combat at first, do so (trade the "boring" but safe routes at first) - at least until you have some decent missiles, improved defence and an ECM. Also, if you can't win, try and run away - Pirates have a hard time getting in range and can be dropped if you keep your speed up (I also found missiles a good way of throwing them off if they're getting too close).

If you have suitable weaponry and decide to go for combat, make sure you disengage the directional thrusters, that way you maintain speed towards your destination while aiming at the attacking craft. Using this, and a reasonably powerful laser you can plink away at the enemy when they come into range and hopefully get them first - a well timed missile can help (but only if the shot is more or less straight down the throat).

TM

 

[Steve]

The only tip I have for FE/FFE is not to try and run before you can walk.

I would echo that sentiment entirely. IMO the only way to a long and fruitful career is to trade between safe systems and build up your Cr until you can equip your ship properly. Unfortunately, patience is in short supply with many commanders

 

[Panserbjorn]

Thanks for the tips so far, the patience one in particular has been heeded!

I moved to the Sol - Barnard's star route, Luxuries one way and Comps/Robots the other. I managed to save up enough doing this to get a viper, for which a single load of robots in response to a bulletin message just about paid for my ship

One more question - do prices vary by much (if at all) at different ports in the same system? For example, I usually use Mars High in Sol; would I get different bulletins and different prices on the stock exchange at Olympus, or even Earth?

 

[VictorT]

aah, a pet pipe dream!

you'll figure it out soon enough, but no. systemwide prices..

for fun and adventure, try landing on planets from orbit, instead of accelerating time all the way in..

aah, intrasystem trading would be such a phenominal mod to write for it! alas i lack such skills. ...oh and the source code. ^_^

 

[ToadMan]

One more question - do prices vary by much (if at all) at different ports in the same system? For example, I usually use Mars High in Sol; would I get different bulletins and different prices on the stock exchange at Olympus, or even Earth?

While the Stockmarket prices do not vary, the Bulletin Board messages (if my memory serves me!) do vary a bit - some will be duplicates others will be new for that station.

TM.

 

[NextGame]

Yes, I know that I suck, but it's true!

I've been a PC Gamer since about '93, but somehow the Elite series and I never crossed paths. Well, after nearly a decade and a half, here I am. The thing that suprises me most is this: Elite is often referred to in awe and wonder, lauded as one of the most important games ever. Yet, in my trawl for information, help and tips, all I've find is a tiny remnant of a dying community, and this strikes me as a huge shame. For this reason, when I found this enclave of those still loyal, I felt it was my duty to register.

As yet I've not really been able to acheive much in the game, but I'm enjoying the learning process. There's something here that most modern games lack - a meaningful complexity. I've found learning to navigate and fly tough, but there is a real sense of acheivement at finally making a successful hyperspace jump. The biggest problem I'm facing at the minute is combat. I'm trying the Ross 154 - Formalhaut route, but I keep being jumped by another ship, and try as I might, I come off worst in the inevitable fight (I can barely get a shot in with my crappy laser!)

Does anyone have any combat tips for a total newbie? I see from a previous post that many of you didn't enjoy the combat in Frontier, but I would still like to try and master it!

Elite 4 is taking so long to become reality that most people who played the Elite/Elite 2/FFE have long since moved on to other things as the game is pretty much vapourware until proven otherwise.

Frontier also don't seem to have the same marketing drive as other game developers + publishers, the net result being that the forums are pretty quiet. It is pretty surprising that they are so quiet considering the high quality that The Outsider seems to be promising, but then again there is very little publicity for it other than 1 trailer?

In regards to elite, yeah trade up between sol and barnards star until you have credits to burn, then you can generally tackle the other parts of the game with relative impunity

 

[DraQ]

Does anyone have any combat tips for a total newbie? I see from a previous post that many of you didn't enjoy the combat in Frontier, but I would still like to try and master it!

Nah, while the combat itself could use some variety both in weapon and ship navigation systems, I'm pretty fond of combat in FE2/FFE.

Make sure you can maneuver around LRC's/ space stations reasonably well in engines off mode before trying to actually shoot anything.

Now for the actual combat tips:

1) Immediately switch to "engines off" mode to disable your ship's computer, so you'll have full control over your ship - it helps to be able to close on your target, so that you won't have to fire at some distant pixel in front of your vessel's nose.

2) Remember that there is no friction or aerodynamic forces in space, so that the only way to lose momentum you gained by using your ship's thrusters is using them in opposite direction.

3) Try to close on your target from the side to avoid it's lasers. When closing on enemy ship you lose distance advantage (your ships becomes optically larger and easier to hit), but gain speed advantage (your ship's angular velocity relative to your target increases) and you become more difficult to track effectively.

4) When your enemy loses track of your vessel, he will probably break off and try to gain distance, so that he will be able to track you again - don't allow him to do so, instead try to stick to his tail and blast him to smitherness.

5) If your ship is much slower than the one of your enemy you won't be able to outmaneuver it in such manner. Instead make use of your superior shields and weaponry (which you probably have as slower ships tend to be spacious) and try to blast your enemy apart as he approaches you.

6) Don't try FFE before you *master* combat in FE2. It will save you a lot of frustration.

Thanks for the tips so far, the patience one in particular has been heeded!

I moved to the Sol - Barnard's star route, Luxuries one way and Comps/Robots the other. I managed to save up enough doing this to get a viper, for which a single load of robots in response to a bulletin message just about paid for my ship

Ah, (in)famous milkrun routes. Very profitable, but incredibly tedious.

You can also try ferrying luxuries from Tau Ceti to Van Maanen's and computers on your way back - even more profitable and really safe route, but there are two catches:

1) You need a permit.
2) Luxuries are illegal in Van Maanen's so you'll have to sell them on black market - this is what makes this route so profitable, but you have to know your contacts in Van Maanen's if you don't want to fall in a police trap.

 

[Adrena1in]

While the Stockmarket prices do not vary, the Bulletin Board messages (if my memory serves me!) do vary a bit

Oh absolutely. I used to do the trading of Computers and/or Robots, and I would sell in Sol, at the three stations orbiting Earth, but I would search the Bulletin Boards first, looking for private buyers to pay double the stockmarket price. I would fly from one space station to the other until I got a buyer.