Pilot Archive
Thread: I suck at JtL............please help me out.....
First off. Are you using droid commands? These will help greatly if you arn't. Check the stickied pilot FAQ at the top of the forums for more info.
Secondly. Its good that your getting better at sticking to an opponents 6, but be careful not to overcommit yourself multiple ship encounters. If you take a couple shots from a ship, pull back and loop around on the ship that is flashing in you're radar. The AI patterns change to scramble mode after you hit a ship so it give you a few seconds to either finish that one offwhile the first ship is in scramble mode or head back to your first target.
-Maudee
Sounds like you're off to a pretty good start. Allow me to add a couple things:
First off, Storm Squadron is the most difficult pilot squad in the game, hands down. Contratulations for choosing it, and I hope you stick with it because the skills you must learn to succeedare quite worthwhile.
While getting loot during your pilot grind is nice, remember that your primary objective is to advance...ie, complete the mission. Otherwise, you will reach a point of diminishing returns as far as loot is concerned. While doing the Storm Squadron missions, if you find yourself failing the missions, start disabling the enemy ships. It takes fewer shots to disable than to destroy, which will help immensely. Use the [ and ] keys (the bracket keys, next to the P on your keyboard, not the word and, heh) to cycle through your target's components. After the targets are disabled, if you have time, go clean them up to get the loot/exp, but not at the cost of failing the mission (ie, don't let your escort get too far ahead while you go back 1k to clean up some disabled targets, that kind of thing).
Welcome to the Pilot profession, and enjoy
Domingo
- Check your loadout. If you're using non-RE'd looted parts primarily, I guarantee you're screwing yourself. Crafted stuff has gotten SO much better than when JTL first launched. I always build a new ship around crafted stuff and then tweak as I get loot to RE. At your level, a loadout based upon good Mark II gear should work very well. Remember that for TIEs, usually engine, shield, and guns are the most important. Feel free to skimp on boosters and armor, especially.
- Check your ship. This probably goes without saying, but if you're still using the noob ship, you're screwing yourself. At your level you can either use the TIE/ln or the Heavy TIE. The large mass of the Heavy can become a crutch, so I'd recommend using the TIE/ln.
- Use the droids. Droid commands are buffs for your ship. And you can use any command you can get a chip for, not just the commands you know due to your level.
- Fly smarter. This includes not chasing someone down when another ship is pounding you. This includes disabling rather than destroying when you're overwhelmed. This includes flying evasively as the tracking abilities of most of the NPC's is pretty bad.
- If all else fails, get a wingman. I know that there's a lot of pride in soloing this stuff, but there's no shame in calling in a buddy for help. Just don't rely too much on an Ace doing your work for you. In the end that will stunt your growth more than help you. But another Tier 2 pilot or even a Tier 3 pilot is a good choice for a wingman.
As Domingo, disable. That is the best way to bring a bad situation under control. And in some cases it will slow down the spawn time on new mobs. That way you don't get 2 more waves before you're finished with the first one.
Droid programs are your best friends at any pilot level but especially at lower levels. Everytime I start a new squadron I always train droid programs first until I get to 3333. then I'll usualy go for 4333 or 3433. Droid programs will give you a nice edge over the bad guys. And as you are able to use higher level flight comps you'll be able to pack in more programs.
As an Imp pilot you can get yourself into a TIE/H and not have to worry about getting another ship until you pin on your Ace wings.
Also keep in mind that a TIE, any TIE, works best with wingmates. It may not always be possible to get people to fly with you but if you can get a few wingmen do it. Especially for Storm Squadron. That squadron is a BEAST!
Beyond that practice, practice, practice. Find a good spawn of Droid Starfighters to match your pilot level, jump in there, and see how long you last.
You'll also want to work on your ego. Sure good parts, good ship, and skills help...but an ego is what makes a great pilot and Ace pilot. 
Message Edited by rycebrnr909 on 09-18-2005 04:28 PM