= 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 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 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.
'''Rocket Netting ''' - When using rockets, a useful tactic can be to use their proximity detonation to your advantage. Netting involves shooting multiple rockets in SLIGHTLY ''slightly'' different directions giving your target less escape routes. I emphasize slightly because if done with too much variation, not only will your rockets most likely miss, but you'll make a large target of yourself as well. As with all tactics, this one takes practice to become efficient.
'''Power Strafe ''' - Power strafing can technically be considered any manuver that involves keeping your ship in a strafe at a high velocity. In my opinion, this is easiest to accomplish by turning FA on, forward thrust to 0 and using full thrust on either your port or starboard strafes. It's best to vary your strafes though, as staying in a pure power strafe for very long will make you a target.
'''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.
{{SKV|info=The best pilots have a variety of tactics at their command. Even if you're not proficient at certain tactics, familiarize yourself with them all so that you can recognize them on the fly. This will not only increase your 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. If something isn't working, try a new approach. Remember, you don't always need to be using 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 =