Ramming!!

I have something to say to those who think ramming isn't a legitimate tactic.

*ahem*

Stop making excuses for losing. If it works, it's clearly a legitimate tactic. If I think my shields can take a hit, I will totally ram the hell out of my opponent.

You want to avoid having it done to you? Try winging up. I guarantee I'll think twice before I sacrifice my shields - my largest chunk of effective health - to damage you in a situation where I could potentially take a ton of damage.
The game before Fd started adding stuff without thinking about how people would abbuse it if it was at all possible didn't support it. I don't say it's not legitimate because I keep losing as I know to run after running into this tactic enough over time, I call it illegitimate because there's no way Fdev thought the feature through enough or else they'd have reallized Shield booster's and SCB's needed a limit to prevent abuse by larger ship's. The gap is huge even just between Adder and Viper deffense wise and they're relatively the same size and price.
 
I have something to say to those who think ramming isn't a legitimate tactic.

*ahem*

Stop making excuses for losing. If it works, it's clearly a legitimate tactic. If I think my shields can take a hit, I will totally ram the hell out of my opponent.

You want to avoid having it done to you? Try winging up. I guarantee I'll think twice before I sacrifice my shields - my largest chunk of effective health - to damage you in a situation where I could potentially take a ton of damage.

That same argument could be used for just about anything. Hell, people tried to convince the vocal majority that various exploits were "legitimate" because there was nothing against it in-game. Tricking people's anti-missile system into firing so the station would shoot them down, for example. Or crashing into ships inside a station because at the time it wasn't listed as a crime (though god forbid you loiter!).

That said, I DO think ramming can be a legit tactic. I just had a problem with your line of defense. (though note I also said "can" be... the question is, can it be abused?)

Now, as a rammer, let me ask you a couple things:

1) What do you think is an appropriate loadout for ramming? Do you just load up on shield boosters and SCBs? What about hull reinforcement?

2) What do you think is an appropriate defense against ramming? Surely some pilots you've gone against have been more effective than others. What did they do right?
 
Last edited:
The game before Fd started adding stuff without thinking about how people would abbuse it if it was at all possible didn't support it. I don't say it's not legitimate because I keep losing as I know to run after running into this tactic enough over time, I call it illegitimate because there's no way Fdev thought the feature through enough or else they'd have reallized Shield booster's and SCB's needed a limit to prevent abuse by larger ship's. The gap is huge even just between Adder and Viper deffense wise and they're relatively the same size and price.

Does that include shield size and mass (not size?) Because I need to ram a type 9 a few times in my python before the shields go down on it. I know the orca is supposed to be the highest damage for ramming. Really I think physics and design should come into play. But ramming should be a viable thing to do, given that it damages both parties.

- - - Updated - - -

That same argument could be used for just about anything. Hell, people tried to convince the vocal majority that various exploits were "legitimate" because there was nothing against it in-game. Tricking people's anti-missile system into firing so the station would shoot them down, for example. Or crashing into ships inside a station because at the time it wasn't listed as a crime (though god forbid you loiter!).

That said, I DO think ramming can be a legit tactic. I just had a problem with your line of defense. (though note I also said "can" be... the question is, can it be abused?)

Now, as a rammer, let me ask you a couple things:

1) What do you think is an appropriate loadout for ramming? Do you just load up on shield boosters and SCBs? What about hull reinforcement?

2) What do you think is an appropriate defense against ramming? Surely some pilots you've gone against have been more effective than others. What did they do right?

Oh I don't build around ramming, I just do it when I get in the mood. XD

Um, really I like that it's (maybe?) Physics based and is also fun. Also very obviously not an exploit.
 
Last edited:
As a vet, this is about the most ignorant thing I've read an obvious civilian who has no clue about PTSD has said.

Suffering PTSD has zero to do with strong mind, weak mind, iron will veteran, etc. Unless you get your jollies being a sociopath, taking a life has a cost and takes a toll, period. Exceed the variable threshold we all have, excluding sociopaths, and the line between war weary and PTSD gets pretty thin.

i won't even comment on how clueless it is to say one can't suffer from flashbacks, triggered via many stimuli - including sounds and visuals in a game. If and when that happens, it's not the game dev's fault, and it's certainly not the fault of "your mind was weak to sart with" veteran who has PTSD or did not realize he had.
I said if a GAME give's you PTSD, you have issue's. A person who's been in a real life or death, or other sever traumatic experience wasn't being talked about. Sorry if it came off that way.
 
You were making generalised comments about rl tactics, about which you were wrong. In terms of Elite, whether you like it or not ramming is an effective and perfectly legitimate tactic.
I've admited repeatedly raming is ok depending on situation as a last ditch effort, it being used as a primary form of attack is where the problem is. If it can be used as a primary tactic the game's current mechanic's are fundamentally flawed. Of course as was pointed out earlier a T9 should be able to steamroll a Scout, Viper, Eagle etc. if they are unaware enough to get cought, but a Python raming a Conda and winning does that seem ballanced?
 
I've admited repeatedly raming is ok depending on situation as a last ditch effort, it being used as a primary form of attack is where the problem is. If it can be used as a primary tactic the game's current mechanic's are fundamentally flawed. Of course as was pointed out earlier a T9 should be able to steamroll a Scout, Viper, Eagle etc. if they are unaware enough to get cought, but a Python raming a Conda and winning does that seem ballanced?

How? Isn't an anaconda's shields much greater, and isn't it bigger? I'd honestly like to see numbers on this, bigger ships should totally do more damage, although ship construction should influence as well.
 
Last edited:
Some tactics are so cheap.
Y'all should be ashamed of yourselves...
It doesn't make you good, it makes you an exploiter looking for the easy win.
Now, fathom that in your personal ideal that you are the best.
Nope, you just suck.
Why I'm a Banana, humans are so silly.
 
Some tactics are so cheap.
Y'all should be ashamed of yourselves...
It doesn't make you good, it makes you an exploiter looking for the easy win.
Now, fathom that in your personal ideal that you are the best.
Nope, you just suck.
Why I'm a Banana, humans are so silly.

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic, or if you truly think avoiding good tactics makes you better somehow.
 
Ramming wasn't very effective to the vulture who though it would work against my anaconda. I welcome any other vultures to go ahead and kill themselves against my hull whenever it fancies them.
 
I've admited repeatedly raming is ok depending on situation as a last ditch effort, it being used as a primary form of attack is where the problem is. If it can be used as a primary tactic the game's current mechanic's are fundamentally flawed. Of course as was pointed out earlier a T9 should be able to steamroll a Scout, Viper, Eagle etc. if they are unaware enough to get cought, but a Python raming a Conda and winning does that seem ballanced?

I never commented on balance or whether it's a 'good' mechanic, purely on legitimacy. I think shields are a lame, cliched and boring mechanic. Not to use them given the state of play would be stupid. Now if we relied purely on armour then ramming would be epic and much more interesting :p

- - - Updated - - -

Ramming wasn't very effective to the vulture who though it would work against my anaconda. I welcome any other vultures to go ahead and kill themselves against my hull whenever it fancies them.

That was probably just another terribad Vulture pilot who hasn't actually learned to steer properly yet ;)
 
How? Isn't an anaconda's shields much greater, and isn't it bigger? I'd honestly like to see numbers on this, bigger ships should totally do more damage, although ship construction should influence as well.

I saw a vid on YT wher a Pyton CMDR got a Conda's shield's down a little then just boosted headlong into the Conda and wrecked it's shield then the Conda died not long after. I personally don't belive that should ever have worked.
 
A very good way of starting out in the original Elite involved selling your gun, buying a fuel scoop and bounty hunting by crashing into people. It's in the proud tradition of the series!
 
I saw a vid on YT wher a Pyton CMDR got a Conda's shield's down a little then just boosted headlong into the Conda and wrecked it's shield then the Conda died not long after. I personally don't belive that should ever have worked.

We need a more scientific method to measure this, but Damn, okay.
 
Meta, just like it's always been. Only in private settings will you get desired game play. In other online combat games, players pick the most efficient weapon and use the most efficient tactics, realistic or not (bunny hopping, proning, anything else to get it done). Few combat PvPers care about realism.
And this is why it fails and alienates a great many.....
This game isn't suited for that.
Simply, it's not designed for it.
And, to be perfectly honest, I want no part of it. I just want to play and experience the game.
I'd be quite happy with that.
And I am, currently.
Generally a happy, patient bunny, though I look more like a Banana, who knew!?.
 
Last edited:
power distribution and choice use of shield cells can make or break a ramming fight against a larger less maneuverable ship.

However, it would be a good balance to such tactics to utilize the already implemented blackout/red-out mechanic (it exists already in the game) to treat the sudden change in g force on the smaller ship. Making them think twice about implementing a full turbo ram tactic, since if they fail to destroy you, the'll be helplessly unconscious for a number of seconds.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom