Improving

[DeFrancoj]

how can I put this...

It's come to my attention that I'm not that great a pilot. (I've been playing WC since 1990, when I was six years old.) I've been playing Unknown Enemy recently, set to Hero difficulty. I mean, I can shoot straight and everything, but I've been trying to focus more on using the HAT to stay aware of my surroundings, trying to keep it tight with my wingmen, and actually evading the enemy when appropriate, instead of simply turning into his cone of fire, taking some lumps and burning past him. From watching my wingmen execute various maneuvers, I'm also convinced that I'm not using the throttle enough (to tighten up turns, stuff like that). I want to get good for multiplayer so I don't end up dragging down whomever I'm flying with, but there seems to be a lack of specific information about what to do in the cockpit.

Also, has anyone examined the possibility of adding a "top" view to a game? Such a view would obviously eliminate a huge blind spot.

Also Also, what are the thoughts about the "Ctrl-N" nav map? I am guessing that there are those of you who rarely find it necessary to use, because you are sufficiently aware of what's going on around you, and sufficiently keen on spotting activity a long way off (eg in hunting for bombers threatening your escort charges)

 

[PopsiclePete]

It's come to my attention that I'm not that great a pilot. (I've been playing WC since 1990, when I was six years old.) I've been playing Unknown Enemy recently, set to Hero difficulty.

Hehe, don't feel bad... we made Unknown Enemy very hard on purpose because at the time many were complaining about Secret Ops being too easy even on nightmare difficulty; but then after we released Unknown Enemy many people complained about it being insanely hard Just lower the difficulty setting a bit, no need to be ashamed about that.

I mean, I can shoot straight and everything, but I've been trying to focus more on using the HAT to stay aware of my surroundings,[...]

I don't think that changing views is that usefull; in fact I'd rather say it makes you loose some precious time.

Also Also, what are the thoughts about the "Ctrl-N" nav map? I am guessing that there are those of you who rarely find it necessary to use, because you are sufficiently aware of what's going on around you, and sufficiently keen on spotting activity a long way off (eg in hunting for bombers threatening your escort charges)

The NAV map is very important when you play Unknown Enemy or Standoff; you mainly use it to identify, as you said, the bombers attacking your capships/stations.

 

[DeFrancoj]

I mean, it's not a matter of shame, it's a matter of having more fun if I feel I'm doing meaningful things while I'm flying. Evading attacks with a purpose, instead of eitehr slashing the stick around or, as I said, tacking right into the baddies and burning past them. I wonder, if your view about (er) view switching is a consensus??

As far as making Unknown Enemy hard: I have only played a couple of missions, but it looks like you've demanded clean flying from the players by giving them frequent opportunities to refuel, but not to land and take out a fresh new rig. So, it's simply not ok anymore to take a couple hits in exchange for a couple extra shots, and it's not ok to let them come up on you and drop a missile your way, because that damage will catch up to you in the second (or third or fourth) phase of the mission. I like it. It makes me want to learn how to fly cleaner, see the jerks approaching before they get that lock, and be able to do something about it.

 

[AD]

I wonder, if your view about (er) view switching is a consensus??

In all the years I've been playing wing commander, I don't think I've ever used any view other than forward. Ive used turrets a few times but mostly only for tractoring.

 

[jaeger]

I used the views in wc1 and 2 and the first privateer just to check out my spiffy cockpit. Other than that I never use em for tactical... thats what your radar is for and nav map

 

[Quarto]

I did use the side-view sometimes while approaching the Tiger's Claw for landing in WC1. It definitely wasn't something you needed to do, though.

However, some of the people who have obtained high scores with the Broadsword or Crossbow on the Standoff scoreboard do claim that using turret views is vital.

 

[DeFrancoj]

I imagine that such amenities as the Nav map will not be available during multiplayer combat...
anyway, how bout the throttle? anybody use that, or is it max speed at all times??

What about dodging gunfire/getting away from missles... any wise words?

 

[Quarto]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure people with joysticks use throttle a lot. I know I certainly would, but with a mouse it's a little inconvenient (since I'd have to operate +/- and TAB with one hand). In general, reducing your speed allows you to make tighter turns.

 

[Manic]

I imagine that such amenities as the Nav map will not be available during multiplayer combat...
anyway, how bout the throttle? anybody use that, or is it max speed at all times??

What about dodging gunfire/getting away from missles... any wise words?

Juke, with full afterburners. That's also how I manage to survive standoff's simulator. I burn through till I'm behind everyone, then come about. The less time you stay in the crosshairs of the enemy, the better.

 

[Delance]

However, some of the people who have obtained high scores with the Broadsword or Crossbow on the Standoff scoreboard do claim that using turret views is vital.

It really is. It's amazing how faster the fire rate is when the turrets are being operated manually. And it never seems to run out of energy. Considering how the quick kill bonus is larger for those ships, the turret present a great opportunity for high scores.

Ideally, we should be able to maneuver the ships with the arrow keys and the turret with the joystick or mouse, so we could dodge the enemy and still fire back.

 

[Mace]

In WC2 i definitely did use the the turrets when fighting light fighters,
and when i needed to get out of the heat to recharge my shields used the rear turret to take care of whatever tried to follow me.

As for the use of throttle, it can make a difference and you don't overshoot lower fighters with a throttle in your left palm, most programmable throttles from 6-7 years ago could be configured for a full HOTAS in prophecy, starlancer or freespace.

 

[cff]

I never use the view commands unless I need to (tractor beam) or I fly a very slow ship that can make use of turrets.

I almost never use the nav map either. I rather rely on personal situation awareness.

As far as the throttle goes in 99% of cases I use full throttle or afterburner or zero throttle. The remainder of the time the 'match target speed' button would be sufficient. Free changing of the speed is almost never needed except maybe for defanging a capship in some cases.