Trader/explorer getting into combat

[velospeed2002]

Ok, so I've made several billion enjoying the varied trade & mission running aspects of Elite Dangerous. I've also recently returned from a trip out to Beagle, via the left perimeter of the galaxy, which has certainly scratched the exploration itch (for a while). Such an extended period of time out in the black was surprisingly relaxing and enjoyable.

Now, I've tired of always fleeing like a coward and would like to get into the aspect of ED which is "the game" for the vast majority of players: Combat, of course.

My skills are obviously lacking and I plan on improving. While I enjoy and prefer HOTAS controls, I find that I do much better with a keypad and mouse. I'll probably use both setups, switching to KB & M for combat situations.

What are some recommended ships to hone combat skills with? I've built up both Vipers and a DBS for this purpose. I have fully engineered FAS and FGS on standby for when I improve... IMHO it's better to learn without any crutches.

I've noticed that, aside from the big ships, nearly every serious combat pilot uses an FDL. Are there really no viable alternatives to it at the top end? It'd be a bit sad if there's little variety.

Thanks.

 

[Darkslayer]

Ok, so I've made several billion enjoying the varied trade & mission running aspects of Elite Dangerous. I've also recently returned from a trip out to Beagle, via the left perimeter of the galaxy, which has certainly scratched the exploration itch (for a while). Such an extended period of time out in the black was surprisingly relaxing and enjoyable.

Now, I've tired of always fleeing like a coward and would like to get into the aspect of ED which is "the game" for the vast majority of players: Combat, of course.

My skills are obviously lacking and I plan on improving. While I enjoy and prefer HOTAS controls, I find that I do much better with a keypad and mouse. I'll probably use both setups, switching to KB & M for combat situations.

What are some recommended ships to hone combat skills with? I've built up both Vipers and a DBS for this purpose. I have fully engineered FAS and FGS on standby for when I improve... IMHO it's better to learn without any crutches.

I've noticed that, aside from the big ships, nearly every serious combat pilot uses an FDL. Are there really no viable alternatives to it at the top end? It'd be a bit sad if there's little variety.

Thanks.

I prefer my engineered Viper 4 to anything else. I like that the small design and the cheap rebuy means I can take big chances. It feels awesome to take out larger ships. It is tough to go head to head with a FAS or FDL though.

 

[Cygnus X-1]

Try a Vulture. It's a lot of fun to fly. It's not as fast as other smaller ships, but it's quick to turn. Since it's not as fast, you have to maximize how long you stay behind your target. It's good for practicing your maneuvering behind targets.

 

[sovapid]

Are you doing PVE or PVP combat?

I get some PVE combat in before doing PVP, just to get used to it.

Viper III, DBS, or Vulture are all good starting ships.

FAS is a great ship.

 

[velospeed2002]

Are you doing PVE or PVP combat?

I get some PVE combat in before doing PVP, just to get used to it.

Viper III, DBS, or Vulture are all good starting ships.

FAS is a great ship.

PVE to start, and hopefully on to some PVP later on. It's quite intimidating seeing the skill and coordination of serious combat pilots on YouTube videos.

We'll see how it goes.

 

[WingNuts]

Vulture - Vulture - Vulture!! Start in high res follow the cops around. Practice maneuvering in the Vulture it is a great ship then move into your FAS.
For better sustained fire power equip the Vulture with Pulse lasers (better sustained hits on target) due to it's small pwr plant. If you engineer it go overcharged power plant, efficient beam laser and corrosive multi-cannon. I still have that Vulture in storage somewhere. I currently use FAS, Vultures big brother.
Luck,
Wingy

 

[JonLuis69]

Vulture with engineered pp and pd. If you have the inclination, thrusters too. 5c bi-weaves, shield boosters, a point defence and every other space with hrp and one mrp.

Weapons of your choice.

Wreck everything.

 

[osser]

I was in the same boat as the OP. I went with a Vulture with an overcharged PP. It can run everything with no power issues. I also went with grade 3 pulse lasers and a grade 3 dirty drive.
(I'm not big enough into combat to grade 5 everything) Its a fun ship to play around in when I feel like combat.

 

[TheoJones]

Try a Vulture. It's a lot of fun to fly. It's not as fast as other smaller ships, but it's quick to turn. Since it's not as fast, you have to maximize how long you stay behind your target. It's good for practicing your maneuvering behind targets.

+1 to this - the Vulture is a little lacking in firepower up against the big ships, and with only two hardpoints, you don't have much choice of weapons, but it is agile; it feels more like a fighter.

I have considered moving up a couple of times, and to be honest... keep landing back in my vulture for fighting.

 

[velospeed2002]

Thanks for the suggesions! I'll take another look at the Vulture. I was sort of avoiding it since I had the perception of it being an overpowered ship.

 

[Jamesey1981]

Thanks for the suggesions! I'll take another look at the Vulture. I was sort of avoiding it since I had the perception of it being an overpowered ship.

It kind of is, but only when you've learned to fly it properly, still plenty of room for mistakes that you can learn from.

For example, something I did early on was get so focused on shooting the ship I was about to kill that I let it turn towards me, I ended up trying to face tank an anaconda, my shields went down and then the canopy popped with 95% hull left, I ran away and learned from it.

 

[Mean_Mr_Grinch]

When you're new to combat it's a lot of fun learning how to use fixed weapons. Throw pa's in all your hardpoints on your fas except the top, put a gimballed mc there, and enjoy lobbing boogers at everything. You can lean on your mc with the small hard to hit ships.

It's tough at first but using fixed weapons will force you to understand the importance of fa off and thruster use. When you get it right it's very gratifying.

 

[Cmdr Tel]

If you don't want to run from anything the FAS. Agile enough to take out the small ships and easily able to take on the big ships.

 

[velospeed2002]

When you're new to combat it's a lot of fun learning how to use fixed weapons. Throw pa's in all your hardpoints on your fas except the top, put a gimballed mc there, and enjoy lobbing boogers at everything. You can lean on your mc with the small hard to hit ships.

It's tough at first but using fixed weapons will force you to understand the importance of fa off and thruster use. When you get it right it's very gratifying.

Yup, that's my first order of business. Fixed weapons and learning FA on and off. I did try before, albeit briefly, and struggled with the HOTAS setup. I'm still working on Keypad bindings, but it seems A LOT easier already. I've been practicing while I run missions in my Python and Anaconda.

Do you think it's better to ease into FA off combat with a sluggish ship (like the Viper MK IV) or jump straight to a more agile ship (like Vulture or DBS)?. I've found some good videos on it and plan to practice in the tutorials.

Thanks!

 

[nanite2000]

+1 for the Vulture from me too.

It can go toe-to-toe with the big 3 ships by being maneuverable enough to stay behind them. Combine that with chaff, and you have a very annoying little fighter for not much cost.

A-rate everything, and Engineer the PowerPlant (Grade 2 should be enough) so that you have enough power to run loads of shield boosters. Arm it with 1 Large Beam Laser, and 1 Large MultiCannon.

You'll be owning the Combat Zones and HazRez's in no time.

 

[Threeofseven]

PvE or PvP? For PvE you can learn in your FAS or FGS as you should never actually lose it against an NPC. FGS is very fun as it's a paper shredder.

If have some PvE experience you want to try PvP (50 times more fun than PvE combat but a steeper learning curve) then start with a cheaper rebuy ship as you will lose it a lot in the beginning. A Vulture, Cobra or Courier make great starter ships. Also join a pvp discord such as GCI.

 

[Mean_Mr_Grinch]

Yup, that's my first order of business. Fixed weapons and learning FA on and off. I did try before, albeit briefly, and struggled with the HOTAS setup. I'm still working on Keypad bindings, but it seems A LOT easier already. I've been practicing while I run missions in my Python and Anaconda.

Do you think it's better to ease into FA off combat with a sluggish ship (like the Viper MK IV) or jump straight to a more agile ship (like Vulture or DBS)?. I've found some good videos on it and plan to practice in the tutorials.

Thanks!

Rebuy isn't an issue with billions in the bank, so just use your fas. You engineered it, you might as well use it. Take it out to combat cg's, wing up with randoms and have some fun. If you get ganked then learn from it. You'll realize problems with how you engineered stuff and redo a few things because of it. Use the time between cg's to engineer and git gud. Then every time you get ganked you'll be a little better. That's where the real game begins imo. I mean, I still get blown up 8 out 10 times in pvp, but I can see where I'm getting better with each encounter.