Frustrated with combat...

[Crossfire]

Hey there - I've been in and out of the forums and the game for a while now, but the recent teaser I saw for the upcoming update intrigued be to get back into it. I had to create a new pilot profile and I decided to the IMG quests to get back into the game.

I've always been a very casual EM player, sticking to mining and trading to make money. I've always tried to avoid combat because I've found that any time I'm up against more than 1 opponent, I get trashed.

There is an IMG quest, I believe from Harris Mining, where you need to patrol and go up against 2-3 opponents. I consistently get destroyed after jumping to the waypoint by getting hammered with missiles. I launch CMs like they're going out of style, but more missiles keep coming it at me. Within 10-15 seconds, I'm done.

I think I'm outfitting my ship well (or, as best I can with the money I have at this point in the quest line). Should I be ignoring the IMG quests for a while and building my ship up to be even more combat-worthy? Are there any suggestions to help me avoid what I'm doing wrong, or do I just suck as a combat pilot?

[-splosives-]

Some things I always tell any new combat pilot:
Never use IDS in combat. In order to be a master combat pilot, you must also master inertial flight. Also reconfigure your controls so inertial forward and inertial reverse are bound to easy to use keys.
Never engage the enemy head on, always from an angle.
Keep your speed high enough: 1000+.
Use countermeasures against missiles, or just shoot them down if you're out of CM's.
Use a cannon with at least 700 range: Flarebeam, Icespear, Maxim-R. (most experienced players use a Flarebeam)

[49rTbird]

Hello Crossfire, good to hear from you. I think your best bet would be to jump on line if possible and get some help with that and any other mission that proves to be a bit much. There are pilots that really like to jump into a fight and help out.

[Crossfire]

Thanks guys. Figurin' I'm still a part of UE, I'll add the tag to my profile again and maybe try to jump into MP tonight. I've been dealing with a flu, so I may just end up crashing on the couch again.

[Marvin]

If you're under the weather, think about jumping into somebody's turret gun. It's a good place to be if you're too tired to pilot the ship yourself.

[Crossfire]

WE CAN JUMP INTO TURRETS NOW? What sorcery is this?!

[Marvin]

What sorcery is this?!

Vice-Magic.

[Julius]

You can just be along for the ride and it is a great way to see what other pilots do in battle.

PS it is hard, but not impossible to do military missions with the stock ship, a better ship does make it easier, but I feel your issue is more to do with your approach to ship VS ship battle and not so much that your ship is not capable.

[Maarschalk]

Welcome back crossfire, see you out there some time!.....

[Maarschalk]

Also remmember if you are flying faster in inertia with IDS off then the fastest enemy missile(1400) then no missile can hit you. The enemy does not use Excalibur, actually no AI ship carries Excalibur missiles(Speed is 1800). So only other players in Multiplayer would be a missile thread if you are going slower then 1800!.......So a missile avoidance speed is any speed in inertia above 1400!....

[Crossfire]

Great tip, thank you Maarschalk.

[Maarschalk]

No problem, your welcome!.....

[49rTbird]

That only works if you going away from the target:P.

[Major Grubert]

not only, it works when your turn around enemy's to, while doin attack/defense maneuvers keeping a safe distance is always good, as much as keeping a kill distance to be sure to hit the target..

you know when you go straight front of them, then turn very fast (at the right point), then pushing motors again for gettin that nice distance and angle while drafting on inertial mode and shooting some particules and missiles around, rhaaaaa, good