Hey everyone,

(Disclaimer: I'm relatively new to VO; never played alpha/beta; started last week.)
What do you feel is the best way to monitor sector activity? Do you people always use just the radar? Or the 'u' menu?
Especially in ion storms the time I need to get an overview is often longer than my survival time. :)

Also, is there any way at all to target ships further than 3000 meter out? Especially in convoy missions, I sometimes don't see the traders on screen (maybe I have to change the distance level of detail option?) and can't select until I get close, but where should I fly to?

Hints strongly appreciated. :)

Fell totally in love with this game, too.

Alexander (a.k.a. Lagrange Remor)

Me hits u every couple of seconds. To keep track of stuff. I once watched a recording of me mining .. which 'u' was 'u' interesting to 'u' say 'u' least 'u'.

The only way to look past 3000m is visually or if you are grouped up with the person. You can click on his name on the u screen.

When you first enter an ion storm is probably not the best time to be reviewing the entire sector.

My personal procedure is to:
a) avoid any immediate collision.
b) get moving at max speed (in the first available direction).
c) determine the most immediate threat ('x' select nearest enemy).
d) take whatever other action is available to avoid immediate destruction (drop mines, etc...)

The bot that started closest to you is usually not one of the bots asigned to destroy you, so you should continue to monitor the closest enemy ('x' key).

Once you have assured you imediate survivial you should determine your best escape route. This is the time to find the exit point (look at your radar) and review the sector ('u' key).

All in all, ion storm are at the least a pain, and often quite more than a pain. %90 of ion storms can be avoided. Learn to jump around storms as much as posiable.

Good Luck.

The b) mentioned by TRS is my key to not caring if I get stuck in an ion storm. The trick to making it work is to get a turbo hold bind (you hit a key to turn turbo on and it stays on until you hit that key to turn it off again.) You can find several that work in the "Custom Binds" thread here or on the VO-Wiki.

Once you get that bind set up, b) turns into "take the couple extra seconds needed to point directly at the storm exit point and then engage turbohold." If you do this, you almost don't even need to worry what bot is after you because they won't catch you.

Let us know if you need help setting up a custom bind.

By hitting the 'x' key and looking at the distance you can decide if you have enough time to turn a moth all the way towards the exit point. If the dentec collector is 2500m out then twiddle your thumbs and turn strait into the exit. But when the prosus assault is 500m and closing, don't turn, get going in any direction, and like fast.

personaly my system is:
1. avoid collisions
2. check radar/press x and make sure the closest hostil is over 400m way
a. if nearest hostil is 400m or closer engage turbo or turn to fight
b. else continue with plan
3. plot a coarste to th exit point and engage turbo

in general the sector list 'u' is only usefull for seeing who is in a sector beyond radar range. I find using zoom and searching viualy isn't very effective, you're better off just flying a search patter and watching your radar of you want to find somone (this assumes they aren't trying to hide)

We're adding some new interface stuff (which should be available friday) which may improve some of this.

Incarnate, you TEASE!

Wow incarnate, great!

I took everyone's advice to heart already and had an absolutely great time playing this evening, making lots of kills on bots and trading, even played some missions. And all with a much better sense of control. :)

Thanks everyone and looking forward to playing with the new update on Friday.

Alexander (a.k.a. Lagrange Remor)

yay, a all-players-in-the-sector-list on the side! Probably online guild members too.

(just guessing)

Yey, thanks Inc! Is that like the "adding interface for '/' commands" stuff?

-Calder