Combat: Difference between revisions

added a guide for PvE Combat
added ship progression info
 
(28 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 4: Line 4:
| reward            = Medium
| reward            = Medium
| timeinvestment    = Medium
| timeinvestment    = Medium
| suggestedships    = [[Anaconda]]; [[Alliance Chieftain]]; [[Diamondback Scout]]; [[Eagle MkII]]; [[Federal Corvette]]; [[Federal Assault Ship]]; [[Fer-de-Lance]]; [[Krait MkII]]; [[Mamba]]; [[Python]]; [[Type-10 Defender]]; [[Viper MkIII]]; [[Vulture]]
| suggestedships    = [[Anaconda]]; [[Alliance Chieftain]]; [[Cobra Mk III]]; [[Cobra Mk V]]; [[Diamondback Scout]]; [[Eagle Mk II]]; [[Federal Corvette]]; [[Federal Assault Ship]]; [[Fer-de-Lance]]; [[Kestrel Mk II]]; [[Krait Mk II]]; [[Mamba]]; [[Python]]; [[Python Mk II]]; [[Type-10 Defender]]; [[Viper Mk III]]; [[Viper Mk IV]]; [[Vulture]]
| suggestedupgrades = [[Fighter Hangar]]; [[Frame Shift Drive Interdictor]]; [[Hull Reinforcement Package]]; [[Shield Generator]]; [[Thrusters]]; [[Chaff Launcher]]; [[Shield Cell Bank]]s; [[Bulkheads]]; Assorted Weapons
| suggestedupgrades = [[Fighter Hangar]]; [[Frame Shift Drive Interdictor]]; [[Hull Reinforcement Package]]; [[Shield Generator]]; [[Thrusters]]; [[Chaff Launcher]]; [[Shield Cell Bank]]s; [[Bulkheads]]; [[Shield Booster]]; Assorted Weapons
}}
}}
'''Combat''' is one of the three archetypal pilot [[roles]] recognized by the [[Pilots Federation]]. Combat encompasses multiple sub-roles, such as [[Assassin]], [[Bounty Hunter]], [[Mercenary]], and [[Pirate]]. Increasing Combat rank requires destroying other [[ships]], and defeating pilots with higher Combat ranks rewards a greater amount of experience. Combat pilots typically use [[Hardpoint]]s equipped with weapons to disable a target's shield, and then deal damage directly to the hull until the target is destroyed. Combat can be undertaken alone, in a [[Wings|Wing]], or in [[Multicrew]].
'''Combat''' is an archetypal pilot [[careers|career]] recognized by the [[Pilots Federation]]. Combat encompasses multiple sub-roles, such as [[Assassin]], [[Bounty Hunter]], [[Mercenary]], and [[Pirate]]. Increasing Combat rank requires destroying other [[ships]], and defeating pilots with higher Combat ranks rewards a greater amount of experience. Combat pilots typically use [[Hardpoint]]s equipped with weapons to disable a target's shield, and then deal damage directly to the hull until the target is destroyed. Combat can be undertaken alone, in a [[Wings|Wing]], or in [[Multicrew]].
__TOC__
__TOC__
{{clr}}
{{clr}}
Line 13: Line 13:
== Ranks ==
== Ranks ==
[[File:Combat Elite icon.png|thumb|Combat Elite icon]]
[[File:Combat Elite icon.png|thumb|Combat Elite icon]]
Combat rank is earned through ship kills. Every ship destroyed rewards a number of experience points that contribute to increasing Combat rank, and the amount of experience points that a ship is worth depends on the pilot's rank relative to the rank of the targeted ship. For example, a pilot with the rank of Harmless who kills an Elite ship will gain a large number of points, but a pilot with the rank of Deadly who kills a ship with a rank lower than Expert will receive no points at all. Furthermore, a Deadly pilot who kills an Elite ship will receive fewer points than the Harmless pilot who kills an Elite ship. Under this system, low-ranked pilots can climb ranks faster by destroying challenging opponents and accepting the risk that entails.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/answers-from-the-devs-2.167367/ Frontier Forums: Answers from the devs #2]</ref><ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/answers-from-the-devs-3.171025/ Frontier Forums: Answers from the Devs #3]</ref>
Combat rank is earned through ship and ground combat kills. Every ship destroyed rewards a number of experience points that contribute to increasing Combat rank, and the amount of experience points that a ship is worth depends on the pilot's rank relative to the rank of the targeted ship. For example, a pilot with the rank of Harmless who kills an Elite ship will gain a large number of points, but a pilot with the rank of Deadly who kills a ship with a rank lower than Expert will receive no points at all. Furthermore, a Deadly pilot who kills an Elite ship will receive fewer points than the Harmless pilot who kills an Elite ship. Under this system, low-ranked pilots can climb ranks faster by destroying challenging opponents and accepting the risk that entails.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/answers-from-the-devs-2.167367/ Frontier Forums: Answers from the devs #2]</ref><ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/answers-from-the-devs-3.171025/ Frontier Forums: Answers from the Devs #3]</ref>
 
All prestige ranks above Elite (Elite I-V) were added by the release of ''[[Elite Dangerous: Odyssey|ED: Odyssey]]''.<ref>https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/elite-dangerous-odyssey-patch-notes.575175/</ref> They are currently available to both Horizons and Odyssey players that use the v4.0+ client.


{| class="article-table" border="1"
{| class="article-table" border="1"
Line 25: Line 27:
|-
|-
| Mostly Harmless
| Mostly Harmless
|  
| 25 Harmless Kills
| "Mostly Harmless" Ship & Suit Decals
| "Mostly Harmless" Ship & Suit Decals
|-
|-
Line 56: Line 58:
| "Elite" (Combat) Ship & Suit Decals
| "Elite" (Combat) Ship & Suit Decals
|-
|-
! colspan="3"|''[[Elite Dangerous: Odyssey]]'' required to progress
! colspan="3"|Elite prestige ranks - Horizons/Odyssey v4.0+ required to progress
|-
|-
| Elite I
| Elite I
Line 186: Line 188:


== Combat Tips ==
== Combat Tips ==
[[File:Python Mk II vs Federal Corvette.jpg|thumb|Python Mk II vs Federal Corvette|250x250px]]
Learning to use [[thrusters]], keeping the throttle in the blue, situational awareness, good pip control and learning to anticipate rather than react to a target's actions are valuable skills and habits.
Learning to use [[thrusters]], keeping the throttle in the blue, situational awareness, good pip control and learning to anticipate rather than react to a target's actions are valuable skills and habits.


=== Flight Assist ===
=== Flight Assist ===
[[Flight Assist]] (FA) is a tool that is very useful especially to newer players, but disabling it opens up many new abilities for a pilot in combat. Turning Flight Assist off ("FAOff") allows pilots to make sharper turns and more agile movements, and most importantly it allows pilots to decouple their flight vector from where they are aiming, which allows for much more unpredictable and evasive combat maneuvers.
[[Flight Assist]] (FA) is a tool that is very useful especially to newer players, but disabling it opens up many new abilities for a pilot in combat. Turning Flight Assist off ("FA Off") allows pilots to make sharper turns and more agile movements, and most importantly it allows pilots to decouple their flight vector from where they are aiming, which allows for much more unpredictable and evasive combat maneuvers.


Flight Assist Off is essential for more boom and zoom style combat where the attacker needs to turn and gain distance at the same time so that the bad pitch rate is less of an issue. Without mastering FA-off, even something small like an [[Eagle MkII]] can be troublesome when flying with a sluggish ship if it is equipped with nothing but gimballed weapons.<ref name=":0">https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/is-fa-off-the-answer-for-combat-flying.459810/page-4</ref>
Flight Assist Off is essential for more boom and zoom style combat where the attacker needs to turn and gain distance at the same time so that the bad pitch rate is less of an issue. Without mastering FA-off, even something small like an [[Eagle MkII|Eagle Mk II]] can be troublesome when flying with a sluggish ship if it is equipped with nothing but gimballed weapons.<ref name=":0">https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/is-fa-off-the-answer-for-combat-flying.459810/page-4</ref>


=== Pip Management ===
=== Pip Management ===
Line 202: Line 205:


=== Practice ===
=== Practice ===
It is recommended take a small [[ship]], such as a [[Viper MkIII]] or [[Imperial Courier]], and use it to practice combat and gain practical experience before tackling larger targets and bounty hunting for profit. Learning how to avoid mistakes in a cheaper ship can help a pilot to avoid mistakes in a more expensive one and pay for them at the rebuy screen. This can also help when flying larger ships, since pilots who start learning combat in larger ships tend to rely on their shields and firepower alone to overwhelm a target, and have no experience in avoiding incoming damage. This can be fatal in battles against well-armed foes.<ref name=":0" />
It is recommended take a small [[ship]], such as a [[Viper MkIII|Viper Mk III]] or [[Imperial Courier]], and use it to practice combat and gain practical experience before tackling larger targets and bounty hunting for profit. Learning how to avoid mistakes in a cheaper ship can help a pilot to avoid mistakes in a more expensive one and pay for them at the rebuy screen. This can also help when flying larger ships, since pilots who start learning combat in larger ships tend to rely on their shields and firepower alone to overwhelm a target, and have no experience in avoiding incoming damage. This can be fatal in battles against well-armed foes.<ref name=":0" />


== Thargoid combat ==
== Thargoid combat ==
For tutorials and guides about Thargoid combat we recommend the [[Xeno Hunter]] page and the in-depth wiki of the [https://wiki.antixenoinitiative.com/en/home Anti-Xeno Initiative].
For tutorials and guides about Thargoid combat we recommend the [[Thargoid Combat]] and [[Xeno Hunter]] pages as well as the in-depth wiki of the [https://wiki.antixenoinitiative.com/en/home Anti-Xeno Initiative].


=== Interceptors ===
=== Interceptors ===
Line 219: Line 222:


== PvE Combat ==
== PvE Combat ==
There are roughly 4 important parts: ships, outfitting, money making and flight. This guide is courtesy of ''Asleep Round 4053''.
[[File:Fer-de-Lance Combat in Planetary Ring.png|thumb|Fer-de-Lance Combat in Planetary Ring|250x250px]]
There are roughly 4 important parts for PvE (Player vs Environment): ships, outfitting, money making and flight.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/193smuz/comprehensiveish_guide_to_pve_combat_in_elite/ Comprehensive-ish guide to (PvE) Combat in Elite: Dangerous - by Asleep Round 4053] - 11 January 2024</ref>


=== Ship progression ===
=== Ship progression ===
The general ship progression goes something like this:
The general ship progression goes like this:


# [[Viper Mk III]]
# [[Viper Mk III]]
# [[Vulture]]
# [[Vulture]]
# [[Kestrel Mk II]]
# [[Alliance Chieftain|Chieftain]]
# [[Alliance Chieftain|Chieftain]]
# [[Krait Mk II]] or [[Python]] ([[Python Mk II]])
# [[Krait Mk II]] or [[Python Mk II]]
# Big 3 ([[Federal Corvette|Corvette]], [[Anaconda]], [[Imperial Cutter|Cutter]])
# The Big 3: [[Anaconda Mk II]], [[Federal Corvette|Corvette]] or [[Imperial Cutter|Cutter]]


This list is optional. Almost any ship can do combat from the [[Sidewinder Mk I|Sidewinder]] to the [[Type-10 Defender|Type-10]] so don't feel stuck in your ship, just do what you like but if you need a next ship, this is a good place to start.  
The list is optional. Almost any ship can do combat from the [[Sidewinder]] to the [[Type-10 Defender|Type-10]] so just do what you prefer, but if you need a new ship, this is a good progression. It's easy to underestimate the difference between flying a nimble small fighter and a less nimble medium ship with a greater surface area that catches more stray fire. Don't rush to the big ships, because clearing a [[Conflict Zone (Signal Source)|Conflict Zone]] (CZ) and [[Resource Extraction Site]] (HazRes) will be less efficient if you're unskilled. Then you have to repair and rearm after a few targets.  


If you are already rich '''do not''' buy a big ship with a ton of [[outfitting]], because the rebuy will be unnecessarily high and you won't have a good grasp of your skill. People tend to overestimate themselves and under estimate NPC’s-Even in a fully A’d out [[Anaconda]], an Elite [[Fer-de-Lance]] will tear down your [[Shield Generator|shields]] faster than you can think. Just start with a [[Viper Mk III]] or an [[Eagle]] (you will die often in one though) to learn combat and only then should you move on. As a general rule: Harmless or Mostly Harmless CMDR’s should stick to small ships only. Novice or Competent can move onto cheap (>20,000,000 CR) ships. Medium, Expert and above should be where you buy your first [[Krait Mk II]], [[Fer-de-Lance]], [[Python]] etc.
If you are already rich '''do not''' buy a big ship with a ton of [[outfitting]], because the rebuy will be unnecessarily high and you won't have a good grasp of your skill. People tend to overestimate themselves and under estimate NPC’s-Even in a fully A’d out [[Anaconda]], an Elite [[Fer-de-Lance]] will tear down your [[Shield Generator|shields]] faster than you can think. Just start with a [[Viper Mk III]] or an [[Eagle]] (you will die often in one though) to learn combat and only then should you move on. As a general rule: Harmless or Mostly Harmless CMDR’s should stick to small ships only. Novice or Competent can move onto cheap (>20,000,000 CR) ships. Medium, Expert and above should be where you buy your first [[Krait Mk II]], [[Fer-de-Lance]], [[Python]] etc.
Alternative PvE ship progression is e.g. Sidewinder > Vulture > Mamba > Krait > Chieftain > Imperial Eagle. When you have billions of credits it can be more fun to fly circles around a large ship that can't get its weapons pointed at you. However, destroying a ship takes a lot longer.


=== Outfitting ===
=== Outfitting ===
In general, a PvP ship should have weapons that don't use much, if any, ammunition, do good sustain damage and are easy to use. However, if you do [[Mission Board|missions]] which require [[Assassin|assassinating]] a single powerful target, other options are more viable.
In general, a PvE ship should have weapons that don't use much, if any, ammunition, do good sustain damage and are easy to use. However, if you do [[Mission Board|missions]] which require [[Assassin|assassinating]] a single powerful target, other options are more viable.
 
Recommended is no more than 2 [[Module Reinforcement Package|Module Reinforcement Packages]] (MRP). [[Hull Reinforcement Package|Hull Reinforcement Packages]] are required for all combat ships, even shield tanks. And Military Grade Armour. If your shields go down, you want to survive to finish off the current ship or to escape. [[Sensors|A-rating sensors]] enable you to see and find targets at longer ranges.


==== Resource Extraction Sites ====
==== Resource Extraction Sites ====
Line 244: Line 253:
# [[Beam Laser|Beam Lasers]]: best when paired with Multis, very high damage, but comes with high heat and capacitor draw
# [[Beam Laser|Beam Lasers]]: best when paired with Multis, very high damage, but comes with high heat and capacitor draw
# [[Pulse Laser]]: best for starters, easy to use, high efficiency.
# [[Pulse Laser]]: best for starters, easy to use, high efficiency.
Notable mentions: [[Plasma Accelerator]] : High skill-high damage weapon with a low fire rate. It is extremely system and coolant hungry. This is really good on ships that stick close to targets while keeping a bead, like the Vulture. It is worse versus ships with high maneuvering and mobility due to the slow shot velocity. The Plasma Accelerator is not suited for new PvE commanders though. While its technically not optimal, other weapons are more fun than lasers.
A downside of Multi-cannons is the requirement of ammo. If you have enough mats then the premium ammo with an engineered MC is a lot of fun. For example you can have a fixed beam (long range / thermal vent) and gimballed (overcharged / corrosive shell) MC on a Vulture.
If you want to do a long massacre mission stack (e.g. 60 ships) in one HazRes, then you'll either use materials to rearm them or return to base ([[station]]) to rearm. Laser builds are more convenient for sustained combat. It's slower to melt a [[Hull Integrity|hull]], but you don't have the fuss of rearming, the spin up time and the downtime when rearming a mag.
Combat ships with military grade armor are expensive. However, if you cannot afford it yet then you're not ready for combat.


==== Assassination ====
==== Assassination ====
Line 253: Line 269:


==== Internal Modules ====
==== Internal Modules ====
For internals, the following A class modules are recommended: [[Power Distributor]], [[Shield Generator|Shield]] (if possible), [[Power Plant]], and [[Thrusters]]. The rest should be D class, as it makes your ship better and lighter without much power draw. For a shield tank; get [[Shield Cell Bank|Shield Cell Banks]] and [[Shield Booster|Shield boosters]]. Hull tanks should grab HRMs and MRMs. Adjust as needed if your modules are getting destroyed first or your hull goes first it might take a bit of playing with the ratio.
For internals, the following A class modules are recommended: [[Power Distributor]], [[Shield Generator|Shield]] (if possible), [[Power Plant]], and [[Thrusters]].
 
In PvE there’s nearly no threshold for agility. A heavy Anaconda can sit there all day long and keep up with any other type of ship. The A rated modules can soak up far more hits if your shield goes down than D rated equivalents. Certain modules, like sensors and life support can be sacrificed to be lower tier parts but, the FSD, power plant, armor, etc should always be the best they can be.
 
Newbies shouldn’t see a rebuy more than a few times in any sense aside from when they test new limits (like going to a HasRez the first time, or their first few assassinations) that teach the limits of what their ship can currently do.
 
A new player shouldn’t be involved in PvP because serious PVP players have extremely modified ships so newbies would be outclassed. In PvE activities you don’t need a massively maneuverable ship, you need a ship that can take and inflict damage. Outside of Team assassination, [[Xeno Hunter]], and some combat zones that’s the entire point of engineering on PvE ships.
 
While small ships can glide around and are more maneuverable than NPC ships, the big ships are considered superior for PvE, because they can sit there and keep shields up while firing massive weapons into an enemy ship’s face.
 
For a shield tank; get [[Shield Cell Bank|Shield Cell Banks]] and [[Shield Booster|Shield boosters]]. Hull tanks should grab HRMs and MRMs. Adjust as needed if your modules are getting destroyed first or your hull goes first it might take a bit of playing with the ratio.
 
FSD should be A rated to get your ship to various locations, particularly [[engineers]].


=== Money making ===
=== Money making ===
This is usually done via [[Bounty Hunter|bounty hunting]]. Here's how to get the best buck for your bang.
This is usually done via [[Bounty Hunter|bounty hunting]]. Stacking pirate massacres pays more money than individual assassination missions.


You should always try to get missions that ask you to kill ''wanted.'' Get the bounty on top of the mission which is basically free money. There are essentially 2 types of missions; kill a bunch of “X” faction [[Pirate|pirates]] or kill 1 pirate for a lot of money. Either is fine, just do what you find fun. Follow the instructions on the missions outline. If all else fails use your [[Discovery Scanner]] and look for blue signals on the navigation tab which will usually lead to your target. You also will most likely need an [[Frame Shift Drive Interdictor|FSD interdictor]] as it significantly speeds up the process of catching targets. Make sure you aren't doing missions for [[Independent]] or [[Alliance]] aligned [[:Category:Factions|minor factions]], because they don't have Navy ranks. This is a very long grind that you can start early by doing missions that increase your rank to unlock a [[Federal Corvette|Corvette]] or [[Imperial Cutter|Cutter]].
You should always try to get missions that ask you to kill ''wanted.'' Get the bounty on top of the mission which is basically free money. There are essentially 2 types of missions; kill a bunch of “X” faction [[Pirate|pirates]] or kill 1 pirate for a lot of money. Either is fine, just do what you find fun. Follow the instructions on the missions outline. If all else fails use your [[Discovery Scanner]] and look for blue signals on the navigation tab which will usually lead to your target. You also will most likely need an [[Frame Shift Drive Interdictor|FSD interdictor]] as it significantly speeds up the process of catching targets. Make sure you aren't doing missions for [[Independent]] or [[Alliance]] aligned [[:Category:Factions|minor factions]], because they don't have Navy ranks. This is a very long grind that you can start early by doing missions that increase your rank to unlock a [[Federal Corvette|Corvette]] or [[Imperial Cutter|Cutter]].
Line 274: Line 302:
File:Elite Dangerous Combat Guide (Episode Two Pip Management)
File:Elite Dangerous Combat Guide (Episode Two Pip Management)
File:Learning FA OFF (Elite Dangerous Combat Guides)
File:Learning FA OFF (Elite Dangerous Combat Guides)
File:PVE Corvette - Advanced build guide Elite dangerous 3.0 Beyond
File:For Glory! - An Elite Dangerous Montage
File:For Glory! - An Elite Dangerous Montage
File:Assassin Corvette - Built For The Kill
File:Elite Dangerous Odyssey - -corvette duel- vs JORDOMAN1
File:Elite Dangerous Odyssey - -corvette duel- vs JORDOMAN1
File:Elite Dangerous Odyssey - 1% club vs Herbrand -srb pa-rail fas vs meta-
File:What a New Fully Engineered Python MK 2 Ship Looks Like In Elite Dangerous Odyssey - What Can It Do?
File:What a New Fully Engineered Python MK 2 Ship Looks Like In Elite Dangerous Odyssey - What Can It Do?
File:Elite and Dangerous - Combat Cinematic
File:Elite and Dangerous - Combat Cinematic
File:Day-1 Combat for Fun and Credits! - Elite Dangerous Money Early Game Guide 2025
File:Elite Dangerous - Top Tier Small Combat Ships
File:Elite Dangerous - Top Tier Medium Combat Ships
File:Elite Dangerous - Top Tier Large Ships
</gallery>
</gallery>


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Anti-Xeno Initiative]]
* [[Thargoid Combat]]
* [[Xeno Hunter]]
* [[Crime & Punishment]]
* [[Crime & Punishment]]
* [[Interstellar Factors]]
* [[Interstellar Factors]]
* [[Bounty Hunter]]
* [[Smuggler]]
* [[Pirate]]


== References ==
== References ==