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Forums > Home› Feedback› Feature Episodes, Events and PvE Content

Space Combat: Anyone "dogfight"?

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited February 2010 in Feature Episodes, Events and PvE Content
I guess dogfighting isn't the best way to describe what I do, but since I have not played with anyone else I am not sure what to call it.

Once I engage an enemy, be it one or three I tend to work on one vessel, keeping in constant motion and trying to stay inside his maneuvers and on his "6". This way I am not trying to knock all four of his shields down, but just one or two.

I really like the style because it seems to work... until I go Leeroy Jenkinsing into a big fleet, and it's a lot of fun to keep maneuvering and firing like I was in a fighter... a big lumbering fighter.

So is the approach a good one? Please tell me why it is or isn't!
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I kind of like the maneuvering sort of fight as well...it's a pity that the more direct "smash 'em and grab the drops" approach that I see the tactical/escort types employing seems to be most common...

    Haven't tried pvp much yet...maybe its different there.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    With my Kilingon Bird of Prey, and especially in PvP, then dogfighting the target to hammer away with the forward cannon is the way to go. Still working on my techniques with the battle cloak to add to that mix.

    For my Fed cruiser, trying to out-turn my opponent is a waste of time. I'm still turning, but it's about bringing either forward or aft torpedoes to bear when a good shot presents itself. Both types of combat require maneuvering the ship, but they're very different styles.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    No, because I play a cruiser, and it isn't practical or possible.


    If you're in an Escort, it works- if you play like a fighter making attack runs on a bomber formation.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    sevensided hit the nail on the head. That's a perfectly legitimate playstyle, as long as you pilot a ship that works with it - you'll want to pick Escort when you're in the upper ship tiers, they're built for that sort of thing. Birds of Prey are also good for it on the Klingon side.

    Me, I like the lumbering broadsides and aft torpedo tubes, so I'm going cruiser, but I can certainly understand the excitement in zipping around. I get my fix for that on my Klingon character. :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    err dbl post.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I am very much a "dog fighter" in my Escort.

    You can also do "bombing" runs on larger ships either with mines or aft torpedo tubes.

    If timed right the salvo can hit the same shield facing that took a beating on your approach.

    Makes for a nice finale to an attack run.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I tend to slow to about 1/3 impulse and then unload on one ship at a time, keeping the target in my forward arc. I pop most people pretty quick.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I've thought about fitting a T2 bop with 3 torps in the front arc with high yield 2 for hit and run hull death surprise. Anyone know if this is even remotely viable before i make a TRIBBLE out of myself in space?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Thanks for the replies, everyone. Right now I am just closing in on Lt. Cmdr. so I haven't had experience beyond the first class of ships. Thanks for posting your replies, I am learning and hop to keep learning!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Necrosmith wrote: »
    I tend to slow to about 1/3 impulse and then unload on one ship at a time, keeping the target in my forward arc. I pop most people pretty quick.

    Yeah, I play more like a turret than a fighter. I've heard people talk about "strafing runs" but that's silly. Just stop moving forward or go in reverse and keep the target where your Escort guns are: in front of you.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Dekkameron wrote: »
    I've thought about fitting a T2 bop with 3 torps in the front arc with high yield 2 for hit and run hull death surprise. Anyone know if this is even remotely viable before i make a TRIBBLE out of myself in space?

    Not really feasible- using one torpedo will trigger a 4 second cooldown on all other tubes, and you cannot launch all at once,

    At best, you can use two quantum torpedoes without waste, as they have an 8 second usage cooldown.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    With BoPs its a given...you have to whirl and twirl to keep those guns on the target. In PvE, the risk of getting pooped is kind of low...so its easy. In PvP I give up the "Turn N' Burn" tactics and resort to "Boom N' Zoom".

    I find the high speed passes or single attack runs with minimal turns best. I try to minimize my turns during an engagement to not much moe than 180 degs...unless the kill is eminent, I begin looking to disengage.

    Its saved my hide more times than I can count...its tough to give upon kill when you take a fresh cruiser type vessel and drop it to 30% hull one pass. I had one yesterday....I was passing over it and new I was only 2 cannon pulls from killing it, but I stuck to my tactics and cloaked instead. As I extended way, the Fed ball came to his rescue and laid waste to the other two guys still circle jerking in the nebula. It was hard to watch them get bull-dozed and popped so quick...but hey, only the best predators survive to kill again. Its good instincts that keep the species thriving.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Dog-fight? In a cruiser... I think not.

    :)

    I just sort of sit there - or cruise about at a sedate space, shooting off phasers in all directions... I don't rush anywhere. Unless I hit EM - that scares the bejesus out of smaller ships.

    :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I generally pop cool downs and then blast away when I enter a battle. Shields drop pretty quick with 'attack pattern alpha' and 'high yield' spread. If you're not limping away at that point then I'm usually boned...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Dog fighting attack style is a blast in Escorts, but I tend to use my Cruiser like a battleship and just blast things as I wade slowly into a fray.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Sadly the "Dog fighting" experience in STO is rather tame due to the limited 45 degree pitch angles.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Tsvaox wrote:
    Sadly the "Dog fighting" experience in STO is rather tame due to the limited 45 degree pitch angles.

    Its unfortunatly so true
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Meh. As was stated before if you are an escort that is one thing. A cruiser requires an entirely different set of tactics. I just got my cruiser this past Thursday (Didn't get a chance to play this weekend, good lord the withdrawal.) but I've been finding on larger more heavy targets I start blasting away at 9km with Attack Pattern Alpha. When I get closer I reroute power to forward shields, jam targeting sensors and continue to pound away until I'm at point blank range. If I'm lucky I've whittled down their shields to a point where I can enable Torp High yield and then drop a few torps at them before passing under them dropping off a few rear torps and phaser shots (Dist my shields once again) and then coming in from above in a corkscrew pattern attacking with forward then aft, then forward then aft since the cruiser moves like the Titanic.
    It generally works unless there is a swarm of ships in the area in which case no way in hell. The AI loves to pick on loan ships coming in on an attack run. Thanks but 4 Vor'cha attack cruiser kicking my butt is NOT my idea of a good time. If I want to be screwed there are better ways of doing it. :p
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    That being said doesn't a cruiser do "way" more damage? I'm thinking a cruiser would one-shot a bird of prey, no? I'm aiming for Lt. C tonight so I'm still in my Miranda class starter.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Johnny-Peregrine wrote:
    Thanks for the replies, everyone. Right now I am just closing in on Lt. Cmdr. so I haven't had experience beyond the first class of ships. Thanks for posting your replies, I am learning and hop to keep learning!

    Wait till you go head to head against a Romulan formation.
    Tsvaox wrote:
    Sadly the "Dog fighting" experience in STO is rather tame due to the limited 45 degree pitch angles.
    Sad but very true and disappointing.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    RalOberon wrote: »
    That being said doesn't a cruiser do "way" more damage? I'm thinking a cruiser would one-shot a bird of prey, no? I'm aiming for Lt. C tonight so I'm still in my Miranda class starter.

    Mmmm not really. But its close. If you are going head on towards it a few canon shots and their shields are down, and that one good quantum torp shot or a couple traditional torp shots and yah...they are having a very bad day. :eek: :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Ceilican wrote: »
    Wait till you go head to head against a Romulan formation.


    Sad but very true and disappointing.



    Oh dear god. I think I lasted longer against the Crystalline Entity. :P I rammed the sucker and just went right through. The Romulans just pointed, laughed, and shot me down. Sort of like my last date come to think of it. that ***** was a Romulan!! :eek:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Kellic wrote: »
    Oh dear god. I think I lasted longer against the Crystalline Entity. :P I rammed the sucker and just went right through. The Romulans just pointed, laughed, and shot me down. Sort of like my last date come to think of it. that ***** was a Romulan!! :eek:

    They can be beaten, just takes a little team work especially against a Scimitar or a higher level ship.
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