Originally Posted by Paradox3713
(If you're not a Strike Pilot make your negative response quick and press on as it will be ignored.)
Pilots,
I think the time has come to shift focus back to what's important to us. The new ammo is due to go online soon and as such it's an insult and blatant attack against us. This was not the game we were hoping to get involved in and as such we shouldn't just accept it. It's been said time and time again that Strike pilots have the luxury to dictate the fight, how, where, and when. So I believe that the time has come to exercise that ability, that strength that we have. The way to do it is to play this game using the ships that we would normally use if the game was actually based on the name. It also means that we should only engage ships that we are built to fight. That means Strike on Strike Combat. No chasing Escorts or diving after Lines. It is not in our mission directive to be a DEO or an AFK to some Escort or Line. The real feel of the fight is in what we do best and that's fighting other Strikes.
It's time to clean out the fishbowl when it comes to combat operations and deny those easy merits to anyone that doesn't have the heart and skill to fly a Strike and earn those merits. We fly Strikes because the rest of them can't. And when those accuracy rounds are fully released and purchased we should let the boys and girls in the big ships get them and just let them fight out their Battleship dreams. The real fighters should enjoy the real hard earned, in their face fight. Not hiding behind huge coffins of armor and hull plating with an easy kill button at their fingertips.
Have any of you ever fought in an all Strike battle? If you have you remember how great it was. You remember that you didn't have to worry about some huge boat dropping down on you and ruining your kill as you knew you had bested that target. You always know that even if you lose it was a hard earned and worthy fight. MkIIs, MKVIIs, and Raptors against Raiders, War Raiders, and Heavy Raiders. There should be nothing else of concern. Let's get that experience, that feeling back.
Now there will be some less honorable players who will offer their services to bog you down long enough to get you jumped by Escorts because they don't support this operation. Do not let them do so. If you have to disengage and leave the area then do so. If you spot an Escort creeping up, or diving from up high, or trying to shark you from down low then break out of there. But do not give them a free kill. If they get lucky and catch you slipping then learn from it and make sure it doesn't happen again, but do not engage them. But if you do choose to attack a Line make sure of your target, make sure the area is clear of 'distractions', and try to go in with a good fast attack squad. Make that big a$$ed bugger regret that he left home without his insta-kill button. Kill him, salute, and then jump out like it was too easy. Do whatever you can do to make him angry without calling him out in open chat. Ignore his verbal attacks, smile and fly away.
Now for Squad composition and fast attack missions I recommend running with an FR and going on a Strike hunt so that you know what's going on around you and can intercept enemy Strike squads that may be moving through the area. If you are a farmer then farm with a group of Strikes. If an Escort swarm takes the mine so be it just find another one. Unless you have a 4-1 ratio against them to protect yourselves do not get into a knife fight with them. You can always come back when one of two of them leave and then finish the last two off. Remember they will have accuracy ammo. So what used to be 3 - 1 odds will need to be 4 - 1.
I do not recommend getting involved in fleet battles. Currently Escorts have approximately 10000 accuracy rounds available to them. When the ammo is fully released it will be more and putting yourself out there to be a free kill is just dumb and humiliating. If you engage in this operation on your servers I can not stress more the need for a Raptor / Heavy Raider. The additional DRADIS range will be invaluable to any Strike Squad. If you have a pilot who has chosen a Command Strike do whatever you can to help build them in that role. Protect them as they grow into their ship and skills. His success in mastering his craft is your squads success.(Consider an FR as the DRADIS range and boost speed is very good.)
When it's time to gear up for Strike vs Strike combat chose your ship gear carefully. You will be hunted which adds to the challenge. Running a pure avoidance build can and will get you squashed if you're in a fight and you don't notice the Escort dropping down on top of you. Speed will always be key to your survival. As pilot of your craft the choice on what you are going to do is ultimately yours. But how long do you think you can put up with being a target drone to some guy who isn't even half the pilot as you? Time will tell after the update is released.
Practice flying in 2-ship teams. Beware of enemy fighters that attempt to drag you while their wingman falls into lag or pure pursuit behind you. If you see a Strike start to break formation do not go after him unless you and your wingman get word that a second team has your back and your bandit. At any point in time you see an Escort you should call 'KNOCK IT OFF' or 'BREAK! BREAK! BREAK!', cease all combat maneuvers and attacks, climb or dive to clear the area and jump free to whatever jump point is the rally area. Save your ship and resources for the next fight. And be very aware of the biggest threat(s) in the battlespace. Concentrate on those with another team if you have to. Do not try to be a hero looking for glory and try to take on a high level enemy pilot when you have not completed all training in the areas of Gunnery, Piloting, Armored Combat, and Engineering at a minimum. Also look at the level of gear you have. Even if you have completed all the core training requirements if your gear isn't leveled up enough the longer you take to get the kill is the shorter time it's going to take him to kill you.
That's all I have for now.
Remember...This is your game, my game, our game. And it's our job to show them how it's run. We dictate when, where, and how the fight will go and against who. We Strike, we Fight, we Win, because the rest of them can't! Time to the big release is running out so make your choice. Good hunting and have fun out there.
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09.08.2012, 07:59
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