Laser tactics - Revision history

Cholmondely: /* Rear Lasers */ Added Ranthe's tip

2025-08-07T19:02:22Z

‎Rear Lasers: Added Ranthe's tip

Cholmondely: /* Side Lasers */ Added McLane's technique

2024-05-22T08:35:57Z

‎Side Lasers: Added McLane's technique

Phkb: Updating BB links

2024-02-29T02:02:32Z

Updating BB links

Cholmondely: Added section on Precision Flying

2023-04-09T09:59:33Z

Added section on Precision Flying

Cholmondely: /* BB threads */ Added another

2022-10-09T05:37:47Z

‎BB threads: Added another

Cholmondely: /* Usage */ Updated link

2022-06-24T10:39:52Z

‎Usage: Updated link

Cholmondely: /* Usage */ Added another of Cody's tips.

2021-11-24T01:39:33Z

‎Usage: Added another of Cody's tips.

Cholmondely: /* BB threads */ Added another

2021-11-06T21:20:30Z

‎BB threads: Added another

Cholmondely: /* Run, Run, Run Away */ Tweak

2021-10-03T21:23:35Z

‎Run, Run, Run Away: Tweak

Cholmondely: Tweaks!

2021-10-03T21:22:19Z

Tweaks!

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 == Rear Lasers ==
 There are two OXPs which help with aiming the rear laser at targets.
 *[[ReverseControl|"Reverse Y Control" & "Reverse control with inertia"]] - both by [[User:Norby|Norby]]

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 Try practicing the side aim during movement on the navigation buoy first (but don't shoot unless you want a criminal record!). Asteroids make good practice targets.
-*See also [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1768 Port/Starboard Lasers (2006)]
+*See also [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1768 Port/Starboard Lasers (2006)] for multiple musings on the matter
-Note that this is one of the player advantages over NPCs in the Vanilla game: you get extra speed, the Torus Drive, separate fore and aft shields, yaw, and side lasers. They get none of this, unless you add oxps which even out the balance (see [[Cheating]] for a list of these).
+{{QuoteText|Text=You can do this as a surprise attack to a trader (or any other unsuspecting victim). Approach him from behind and get alongside his ship, adjusting your speed and direction to his. Don't get too close, or he will start evasive manoeuvers. Usually a couple of hundred meters is fine. Watch him strolling next to you through one of your side cameras for a while. Enjoy. Then fire a broadside from the corresponding laser into his belly. Enjoy more!
 If you dislike the "roll" in side views then use the ''yaw'' controls ("<font color="Red">''','''</font>" and "<font color="Red">'''.'''</font>" keys) instead of the ''roll'' controls. See [[Roll vs Yaw crusades]] for more details on changing yaw & roll.

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 * Combat is stressful, but take care to breathe evenly - again to reduce the chance of jerking the targeting reticule off the enemy ship. They say [[Religion]] helps - try meditating on the [[Church of Giles the Creator|The Pool of Pellucid Placidity]]. Others swear by [[Ebortsa's lucky charm]].
 * Only fire when you are sure your target is in proper position - especially with military lasers. Heating your lasers up firing into empty space is guaranteed to result in your laser overheating when you really need it and you actually have the target properly lined up. As soon as you see the target drift out of the sights, '''stop firing'''.
-* [[User:Cody|Cody]] (an Elite combateer) suggests to use the military laser as a single-shot weapon (it does more damage anyway and such usage prevents it heating up): [http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=271716#p271716 "Dogfighting: use injectors (briefly) to get in close, and make every shot count"] (2020).
+* [[User:Cody|Cody]] (an Elite combateer) suggests to use the military laser as a single-shot weapon (it does more damage anyway and such usage prevents it heating up): [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?p=271716#p271716 "Dogfighting: use injectors (briefly) to get in close, and make every shot count"] (2020).
 * Consider fitting aft lasers and practising combat with your aft view. An aft laser can help you out of a sticky situation when your main weapon overheats.
 * If you are making a pre-emptive strike on another ship, make absolutely sure the ship is properly in the target reticule before firing. Nothing gives away the element of surprise like a shot across the bows when you really meant to hit.
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 == Side Lasers ==
-{{QuoteText|Text=I did find that I learnt how to use my side lasers in close combat through trying to learn how to use turrets. I'd never been able to get the hang of them until I'd changed my flying style to adjust to turret use. Then something seemed to click and side lasers made sense.|Source=([http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=140191#p140191 Mauiby de Fug (2010)])}}
+{{QuoteText|Text=I did find that I learnt how to use my side lasers in close combat through trying to learn how to use turrets. I'd never been able to get the hang of them until I'd changed my flying style to adjust to turret use. Then something seemed to click and side lasers made sense.|Source=([https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?p=140191#p140191 Mauiby de Fug (2010)])}}
 The "centre of the roll" seems to be not equal with the "centre of your view" which looks a bit strange.
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 Try practicing the side aim during movement on the navigation buoy first (but don't shoot unless you want a criminal record!). Asteroids make good practice targets.
-*See also [http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1768 Port/Starboard Lasers (2006)]
+*See also [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1768 Port/Starboard Lasers (2006)]
 Note that this is one of the player advantages over NPCs in the Vanilla game: you get extra speed, the Torus Drive, separate fore and aft shields, yaw, and side lasers. They get none of this, unless you add oxps which even out the balance (see [[Cheating]] for a list of these).
@@ Line 113: / Line 113: @@
 == BB threads ==
-*[http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=495 Favourite Combat Tactics] 2005-16
+*[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=495 Favourite Combat Tactics] 2005-16
-*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7053 Stalemate frustration] 2009
+*[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7053 Stalemate frustration] 2009
-*[http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8990 Issues with overheating lasers] 2011
+*[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8990 Issues with overheating lasers] 2011
-*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11479 Damaged Systems] 2012 - see Capt Solo's & Makara's posts
+*[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11479 Damaged Systems] 2012 - see Capt Solo's & Makara's posts
-*[http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=257726#p257726 Any combat tips?] 2017
+*[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?p=257726#p257726 Any combat tips?] 2017
 === Video Examples ===

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 * Only fire when you are sure your target is in proper position - especially with military lasers. Heating your lasers up firing into empty space is guaranteed to result in your laser overheating when you really need it and you actually have the target properly lined up. As soon as you see the target drift out of the sights, '''stop firing'''.
 * [[User:Cody|Cody]] (an Elite combateer) suggests to use the military laser as a single-shot weapon (it does more damage anyway and such usage prevents it heating up): [http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=271716#p271716 "Dogfighting: use injectors (briefly) to get in close, and make every shot count"] (2020).
 * Consider fitting aft lasers and practising combat with your aft view. An aft laser can help you out of a sticky situation when your main weapon overheats.
 * If you are making a pre-emptive strike on another ship, make absolutely sure the ship is properly in the target reticule before firing. Nothing gives away the element of surprise like a shot across the bows when you really meant to hit.
 == Rear Lasers ==

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 *[http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=495 Favourite Combat Tactics] 2005-16
 *[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7053 Stalemate frustration] 2009
 *[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11479 Damaged Systems] 2012 - see Capt Solo's & Makara's posts
 *[http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=257726#p257726 Any combat tips?] 2017

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 === Run, Run, Run Away ===
-Only heroes/idiots stay and fight to the death. If you are out-classed, just turn tail and run. Most pirates have limited window of opportunities between police patrols and can’t afford to waste time. If you keep running long enough, they give up and their [[IFF]] flags will go yellow. Another advantage of this that if you are in the stable systems it shouldn’t be long before you run in to a local Government or GalCop patrol. They will come to your aid if you are attacked (and legally clean enough.) If you run long enough, you will end up at the GCW station aegis, and any violence there will prompt a very aggressive response from the stations’ Viper fleet.
+Only heroes/idiots stay and fight to the death. If you are out-classed, just turn tail and run. Most pirates have limited window of opportunities between police patrols and can’t afford to waste time. If you keep running long enough, they give up and their [[IFF System]] flags will go yellow. Another advantage of this that if you are in the stable systems it shouldn’t be long before you run in to a local Government or GalCop patrol. They will come to your aid if you are attacked (and legally clean enough.) If you run long enough, you will end up at the GCW station aegis, and any violence there will prompt a very aggressive response from the stations’ Viper fleet.
 === Dump And Run ===

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 === Someone Launched A Missile ===
-When an opponent has launched a missile at you and you don’t have a [[ECM]] System, you have only two options. '''One''', launch a missile at them in the hope that they have to ECM yours and take out theirs in the process. '''Two''', run as fast as you can and give your ship enough time to recharge enough of the energy banks/shields to take the hit, or that it has to trail you for so long that it runs out of fuel and self-destructs. When you want to make your missile count, try to close in as close as possible to the target before launching, reducing their chance of being able ECM it in time. <br>
+When an opponent has launched a missile at you and you don’t have a [[ECM]] System, you have only two options. '''One''', launch a [[Missile]] at the missile or at them in the hope that they have to ECM yours and take out theirs in the process. '''Two''', run as fast as you can and give your ship enough time to recharge enough of the energy banks/shields to take the hit, or that it has to trail you for so long that it runs out of fuel and self-destructs. [[Witch Fuel Injectors]] really help here. When you want to make your own missile count, try to close in as close as possible to the target before launching, reducing their chance of being able ECM it in time. <br>
 There ''is'' a '''third''' option: shoot down the missile. You have very little time to do it and you will have to be a very sharp shooter, but it's a possibility and the combat console helps the pilot here by offering the target-nearest-incoming-missile control (<font color="Red">'''T'''</font> targets nearest incoming missile), which bypasses the entire process of having to center the target before it is registered. It was implemented for offering the incoming missile as target for turrets, for the ships that have turrets, but it can be useful also for immediately letting the pilot know where the incoming missile is and maybe giving a couple more extra critical seconds to react. If you ''do'' do this, if the missile is performing a spiralling vortex, don't try to follow it with your gunsight - let it come to you.
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 *[[How do I ...]] dock / succeed in trading / win a fight / configure my controller/joystick ''etc''
 *[[Oolite Tactics]] has a long list of OXP options and a couple of essays.
-*[[Missile Tactics]]
+*[[Missile tactics]]
 [[Category:Oolite]][[Category:Help pages]]
 [[Category:Classic]]