= Some Popular Ship+Equipment Layouts =
#IDF Valkyrie Vengence + 1 Neutron Blaster MkIII & 2 Sunflare#IDF Valkyrie Vengence + 3 Railgun MkIISunflares#SkyCommand Prometheus + 1 Advanced Gatling Turret & 2 SunflareSunflares
#Orion Rev C Centurion + 2 Neutron Blaster MkIII or Mk II
#Itani Border Guardian + 2 Neutron Blaster MkIII or Mk II
#Serco Vulture Guardian + 2 Neutron Blaster MkIII or Mk II
#Any Vulture + 2 Gauss Cannons
#Ragnarok + 3 Sunflares & 2 Jackhammers
Don't be afraid to make your own combos, the possibilities are endless! Well, not really, but there's a lot of them. = Some Tactics =
Backrolling - Although effective in botting, it is frowned upon for PvP. Backrolling involves holding two strafes, one of the being backwards, and one roll key. This makes you difficult to hit, but keep in mind you won't hit your enemy much either. There are much more effective and creative ways to fight than backrolling.
Jousting - Best applied when using Gauss Cannonsgauss cannons, jousting consists of leaving FA on and making passes at your opponent. Gauss is most effective when jousting because of its good auto aim, and high damage per shot. Though heavier, Plasma Devastators plasma devastators are also effective at this tactic due to the same advantages. {{SKV|info=Remember, the gauss cannons only weaknesses are their weight and their long fire delay. Use this information to your advantatge when fighting with or against gauss.}}
Spamming - Not to be confused with simply using missiles. Spamming involves emptying most of the ammo from a missile tube at one target. This is another frowned upon tactic in PvP. Not only is it very annoying, but when facing an experienced pilot it is very ineffective as well. The best use of missiles is through careful aim and timing your shots correctly.
Distance Control - In my opinion, this is the most difficult style of combat, but can be one of the most effective. Distance control involves using FA off and on when needed to keep your target exactly where you want him. Note that this does not mean simply staying far away. Real distance control (in an energy dogfight, for example) involves staying between 200-150m from your target and not allowing him to get an angle on you. Pick and choose your moments to close the range inside 150m so that you always have a good shot when you move in close, then back away once your enemy has recovered and is able to line up a shot on you. Distance control can take months to perfect, but if you stick with it the results can be very rewarding. Before you become experienced in this tactic, expect to get blown up plenty of times while practicing it.
There{{SKV|info=The best pilots have a variety of tactics at their command. Even if you's plenty more out therere not proficient at certain tactics, create familiarize yourself with them all so that you can recognize them on the fly. This will not only increase your own! ability to counter one-dimensional pilots, but allow you to slip in and out of these tactics quickly and efficiently should you need to do so. And If something isn't working, try a new approach. Remember, you don't always remember need to be flexibleusing a tactic. My favorite way to fight is to simply watch my target and adapt to what it is doing. The most I use any one tactic for at a time is maybe 5-10 seconds, slipping in and out of them to keep my opponent guessing. Above all, don't let yourself fall into a predictable pattern. No one fights exaclty the same, therefor you should not fight everyone the same way. Adapt!, adapt, adapt.}}
= Combat Ranges =
Light ships can be used at a variety of ranges and depend, once again, on the weapon layout you are using or facing. Obviously one would want to take the fight as close as possible if his enemy is using rails, while one might want to keep his distance if his enemy is using rockets. Don't get stuck in a rut. Adapt and be flexible.
{{SKV|info=Having trouble dodging rockets? Use distance to your advantage. Try to bait your opponent into firing off a rocket or two by using a controlled approach, being careful not to get too close. Once he fires, full throttle backwards and strafe away from the rocket. Because you are moving away from the rocket, it will appear to move slower and thus easier to dodge.}}
== Tips On How To Control Your Distance To The Target ==
If you're aiming for distance control, you're going to want to be able to switch back and forth between FA off and on very quickly. However, keeping FA off will yield the best results when trying to stay at a specific range.
=Awareness=
Possibly the most valuable tool in combat is a pilot's awareness. When in a dogfight, it can be difficult to keep an open focus. It is all too tempting to focus tightly on the crosshairs and try to get that crack shot in. If you do this for too long in open combat, you're asking to be ambushed. A great pilot will know when you're sneaking up behind him and have adjusted before you're within weapons range.
When not in combat:
-Frequently check the in sector ship list (the "u" key). This is an invaluable tool for knowing who is in the sector, how far away they are, and whether or not they are hostile. You can often plan your target order and tactics or make the decision not to engage at all before your enemy is within radar range.
When in combat:
-Get used to glancing at your radar. If you see red dots closing in, chances are you might want to disengage and re-evaluate the situation before engaging again. If you see many small yellow dots (rockets), you'd best get out of the way before you explode.
-Pay attention to sounds. Often times you can hear a ship that is close to you. That engine noise can be a sign that someone is trying to line up a shot. Also, should you hear incoming fire that doesn't appear to be coming from your target, check your radar to see who is closest to you. If it's apparent that the fire is coming from your wingman, you may continue as normal. If it's not clear who the fire is coming from, assume that it's an enemy and adjust for it. {{SKV|info=Another tactic that I like is to set your incoming ship notification sound to just outside of energy weapons range. I find 650m gives me enough warning to figure out if the incoming ship is friend or foe.}}
-The eyes have it. The best way to keep track of the situation is to keep it in front of you. When fighting multiple opponents, if possible try to keep them in view. This applies doubly if you're flying a vulture or any other ship with a large profile. Though sometimes, with smaller ships such as a centurion, you can get away with (and often it is better) to let the enemy surround you and rely on your agility to keep you alive. Though I can't stress enough, if you take your eyes off of a target carrying rockets, you deserve what's coming to you.
-Coordinate with your wingmen. Be aware of who is doing what and where at all times. If there's more than one of you on a target, try to adjust your flying to make sure that both of you have clear shots. It is very annoying to have a friendly pilot unintentionally intercept shots that were meant for an enemy.
{{SKV|info=When piloting a ship with a slim profile such as a vulture, be aware of which of your sides are facing your enemy. If you have someone firing at you from the rear, use the horizontal and vertical lines on your radar to make sure your slim edge is facing them. This will make you a much more difficult target.}}
= Group Combat =
Also known as "furballs", group combat can be a real blast provided you can survive more than a few minutes.
== Furball Tips ==
#Have a plan. Know what targets are priority and which you can let slide for a while.
#Communicate with your wingmen.
#Be aware of the entire battlefield.
#Focus the whole group's fire on one target before moving to the next. Don't turn the battle into a bunch of little 1 on 1's. Use your team to your advantage.
#Don't be afraid to call for help.
#Watch for rockets. They're devastating if you don't see them coming. That being said, try to take out ships with rockets first.
#If you're in a heavy ship, stay near the smaller fighters on your team.
#If you're in a smaller fighter, protect the heavy ships on your team.
#And again: adapt, adapt, adapt.
If you die early, don't get frusturated. Learn from your mistakes and you will get better with practice.
{{SKV|info=Have a chat bind set up to call your targets. Time spent typing is time that you could be fighting.}}
= PvP FAQ =
Learning to toggle your auto-aim takes a great deal of practice. In close range, the auto-aim is mostly accurate and you're pretty safe to leave it on. When fighting at ranges outside of 250m, you may find your energy weapons are more effective with auto-aim off. The key is to not get frusturated and keep working at it. Eventually, you'll find yourself getting an occasional hit at long range with auto-aim off rather than never hitting at range with auto-aim on.
{{SKV|info=Try binding your auto-aim to your mouse wheel or a joystick button that can be pressed quickly. This makes for a quick and easy toggle.}}
== Does Anyone Fight With Mouselook On? ==
From what I've heard, people who use a joystick setup prefer mouselook off. I use a mouse setup and prefer it on. Though there are some pilots who use a mouse and like mouselook off. My advice for this, as with everything else, is play around with them both and find out what you like.
== About Fighting With Or Without When to use Flight-Assist Turned On and when to turn it off ==
It is somewhat easier to land ENERGY shots with FA turned on.
It is easier to dodge and aim ROCKETS with FA turned off.
{{SKV|info=Mix up your styles and don't get stuck in a pattern. FA on or FA off, flying in a pattern will still get you hit. Try Like the auto-aim toggle, try setting your FA toggle to your mousewheel (you can wheel in one direction for FA and the other for auto-aim) or a joystick button that can be pressed quickly. Play around with it and see what you like. Everyone has their own style.}}
== Combat Binds ==
Bojan
That's just a few. There are other good pvpers who I haven't listed because they haven't expressed a desire to mentorthat I know of. Ask around on channel 100 for people who are experienced at pvp. Remember, you don't want to get taught by any old sap who just wants to use you for your mentor point. You can look for me online as well if you like. I'm Ghost always more than happy to mentor new pilots. You can find me in-gameas Ghost.
= Questions and Comments =
--Ghost
{{SKV|info=Coming soon.}}
== Player Submitted Questions ==
1.