Pilots Guide: Difference between revisions
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=== Scanner === | === Scanner === | ||
[[Image:Cockpit Scanner.png|border|200px|right]] | [[Image:Cockpit Scanner.png|border|200px|right]] | ||
Displays contacts and signals in the surrounding area. Objects are displayed depending on their position to the player's ship. Contacts are shown in various colours and shapes, indicating information about each contact. All signals are resolved once their signature strength exceeds a certain sensor threshold. Signature strength is determined based on distance to the signal and its emitted heat. | Displays contacts and signals in the surrounding area. Objects are displayed depending on their position to the player's ship. Contacts are shown in various colours and shapes, indicating information about each contact. All signals are resolved once their signature strength exceeds a certain sensor threshold. Signature strength is determined based on distance to the signal and its emitted heat. The scanner can be switched in the options menu between linear and logarithmic mode, in logarithmic mode the area nearest to the ship is magnified to provide more resolution on the relative positions of object nearby. | ||
==== Scanner Icons ==== | ==== Scanner Icons ==== | ||
Revision as of 23:22, 1 November 2014
This guide is designed to help a new or experienced pilot get the most out of their spacecraft. It uses the Falcon Delacy Sidewinder as an example but the concepts are applicable to all spacecraft in the universe of Elite: Dangerous.
For a more detailed guide see Forger's detailed pilot's guide.
Also check the official guide for the Beta 2 additions.
And the official Beta FAQ.
Centre Area (from left to right)
The centre area shows important tactical information.
Current target information
This shows textual information on the current target, such as their name, and the currently targeted sub system. If no target is selected, information on the system is displayed along a holographic image of a planet.
Current Target Hologram
Shows a holographic image of the current target.
The following additional information is provided by the display:
- orientation relative to ship
- shield strength
- hull health
- position of incoming damage
Internal Temperature Gauge
Displays the current temperature of the ship (as a percentage).
Normally heat is radiated away from the ship through vents, however the "Silent Running" mode can be engaged to stop heat emission, causing the heat to build up in the ship. Due to a ship only being able withstand a certain amount of heat before taking damage, it is important to keep heat levels below a certain percentage. Under normal conditions, the heat vents of a ship will be able to achieve that - though, in some situations the pilot may want to use a (previously equipped) heat Sink Launcher to cool the ship.
Scanner
Displays contacts and signals in the surrounding area. Objects are displayed depending on their position to the player's ship. Contacts are shown in various colours and shapes, indicating information about each contact. All signals are resolved once their signature strength exceeds a certain sensor threshold. Signature strength is determined based on distance to the signal and its emitted heat. The scanner can be switched in the options menu between linear and logarithmic mode, in logarithmic mode the area nearest to the ship is magnified to provide more resolution on the relative positions of object nearby.
Scanner Icons
- Green: friendly
- Yellow: neutral
- Red: hostile
- Red flashing white: shooting at player
- Square: weapons not deployed
- Triangle: weapons deployed
- Solid: NPC
- Outline: player
- Flickering yellow: possible or unresolved contact. Move closer to validate it and get a full lock on.
Scanner Range
The yellow marker in the gauge directly underneath the edge of the scanner circle shows the current scanning range. The scanner range is smaller if the marker is towards the left-hand side and at its maximum when set to the far right.
Compass
The yellow marker indicates the position of the target (or assigned docking pad) relative to the ship's current heading. The marker is solid if the target is in front of the ship and an outline if it is behind. This gauge changes to blue when you are lined up for a hyperspace jump to another system.
Speed Gauge
Shows the current throttle setting and ship velocity. Boosts will accelerate the ship to speeds beyond its normal maximum speed. Once the boost subsides, it will slowly drop back to the throttle speed.
The blue zone on the speed gauge shows the speed range in which the ship is most maneuverable - generally around 50% throttle.
Ship Hologram
A hologram showing the following information about the ship in real time:
- Current orientation changes
- Shield status
- Hull health
- Position of incoming damage
Power Capacitor Gauges
Represents the capacitors of the ship as 3 bars: SYS / ENG / WEP. Energy in each capacitor is displayed by the fill status of its bar. It allows the connected ship systems to charge faster, overheat less or provide more energy.
Power can be reallocated to enhance certain aspects of the ship in favour of decreasing others. The power routed into a system is displayed by 'pips', which are the little points below each bar. Capacitors with more pips assigned to them will recharge faster, and those with no pips will not recharge their bar at all.
SYS - Systems
Shield and ships systems take energy from this capacitor. The more energy stored here, the faster the shields will recharge. Pips in this capacitor will influence the overall strength of the shields.
ENG - Engines
Boosting uses up energy from this capacitor. A boost can only be activated if there is a sufficient amount of energy stored. Pips in this capacitor will influence the ship's maximum speed, optimum maneuverability range, and top boost speed.
WEP - Weapons
Energy in this capacitor will allow weapons to cool faster, slowing the overheating that can be caused when firing them repeatedly. When weapons are fired, energy is drained.
Signature
The waveform in the heat signature display indicates how much heat the ship radiates away. A flatter waveform means less heat is radiated away, therefore it will be more difficult for sensors of other ships to resolve the ship's signature as a contact.
Left Side Panel (Contacts Panel)
This panel shows contacts and subsystems of a targeted contact. The contacts sub-panel can be used to target a contact. It shows the type of the target, hull health and shield strength.
Once the target is scanned, the subsystems panel will show more information on specific sub-systems of it, and allowing players to target them. The health of each subsystem of the target is displayed here.
Right Panel (Systems Panel)
This panel has two important sub-panels: Modules, Fire Groups
Modules
The modules panel shows each system module of the ship along with its health, type and amount of power drawn from the power plant (this translates in to heat generated).
Modules can be turned on/off and re-prioritized. Prioritization affects which systems will shut down first if the ship cannot sustain energy flow for all modules (due to damage to the power plant).
Disabled systems don't draw power and thus don't generate heat. Total power usage and heat generated are shown below the list.
Fire Groups
Ships can hold multiple weapons of all varieties and kinds. Fire groups can be assigned to weapons, the Yellow squares representing the primary fire, and the blue squares secondary fire. Multiple fire groups can be created, allowing different combinations of weapons and fire button assignments to be used. Previously created groups can be switched on the fly using the "cycle fire group" button.
The first single-player combat mission starts with a configuration of only one fire group with both weapons assigned as primary, meaning they both fire when the trigger is pressed. In this example, another fire group could be set-up, with only one gun assigned to each of the two fire groups. It will help to try around with this to get a good understanding of the mechanic.
Centre top
Proximity
The two elongated white panels (with red lights in them) flash red or yellow on proximity alerts. These panels may be in a different location or have a different shape depending on the ship's type.