Pilot Archive

---

Jeyten wrote:

---

Yes!

I am a veteran of space sims going back to the late 80s, and consider myself quite a competent pilot. I've reached the Tier 3 missions as a privateer pilot, flying for CorSec. The first couple were surprisingly difficult after the relative ease of the Tier 1 and Tier 2s. I got some help with high level pilots for those, but the third mission is just unbelievable.

I'm flying an Ixiyen Type 4, stuffed to the gills with all the best cert level 6 and 7 (the maximum a Tier 3 pilot can equip) equipment the galaxy has to offer. The first two sorties of the mission are quite easy, tackling a couple tier 3 scyks that don't even aggro. Then suddenly, I'm surrounded by a swarm of Tier 3 Ixiyens and a gunship. 10 seconds into the battle, just as I've gotten onto the tail of my first target, my ship explodes from the sheer pounding of 6 fighters and a gunship. I never even have a chance to deplete one ships shields, much less disable its engines or something productive like that.

Now I know the developers want this game to be group-oriented, but is this really realistic? Shouldn't a talented pilot with maximum equipment available at least have a fighting chance? I've tried this every which way but loose, and have never gotten more than 10 or 15 seconds into the battle. I've been looking for some master pilots to help out (and yes, I know there are helpers for each galaxy listed elsewhere in these forums). But frankly, I hate having to ask for help. I take pride in my abilities, and don't WANT to need help.

Am I missing anything? Is there something basic I'm forgetting? Help! (There, I asked.)

That's better. For me, the best tactic I've found for dealing with mission gunships is to run away a lot. More specifically, head towards it targetting its engine, firing all the time you are able. As soon as you pass it, boost away out of range as fast as possible. Cap to Shield Shunt, then repeat until one of you is dead... If you keep moving the other ships should have trouble keeping up with you while you deal with the gunboat.

I felt the same way when I first started. I had played XvT way too much, even thought it was a fun game when everyone else thought it was poo (funny how everyone says it was amazing now.... anyway). There are some missions that simply require help on. That is the cool aspect of jtl. Otherwise, you might as well play XWA. Having multiple fighters in a battle is a rush. Also, for those of us who actually enjoy jtl, after you master, there is not a whole lot to do, so helping a newer player is a great excuse to go up into space.