Dogfighting
Learn how to face the ultimate test of skill, dogfighting head-on. We show you how to rush in, turn fast and hit hard. Skip to Summary Points if you like.

One-on-One
Face to face with a single enemy fighter can be daunting. You must be ready to strafe dodge, afterburn and handbrake turn out of trouble. You will be facing firepower head-on, so be prepared to repair, kill engines and fire away.

The Head-on Attack
When attacking the enemy head-on, strafe dodge incoming fire and use the afterburner to maximize the strafe effect. The faster you go when you strafe, the faster the aiming cross will move on his screen, making it difficult for his guns to aim accurately.

Knuckles: "Jinking. Jink like crazy when you're attacking head-on. Oh, jinking is strafing left and right unpredictably. You'll reduce the number of hits they make on you, just be ready for them to do the same."

The Head-on Pass
Flying head-on means that any mines and missiles ejected just before you meet will have a high chance of hitting, this can seriously damage you if you have no shields, so be sure they remain intact.

After you pass each other, you need to turn around and attack your opponent as fast as possible, preferably before they can do the same.

Fast Turn = Slow Turn
Afterburning while you turn will result in a long wide turning arc, because the faster you are going, the wider the turn will be and the longer it will take before you turn completely around. You have a choice between putting distance between you and your opponent (slow drift turn) or turning as quickly as possible to attack (quick turn or power slide).

Quick Turn Step 1 = Reverse Thrust
Slowing down and turning will result in a much tighter turning circle, but using reverse thrust will give the best results when turning.

Quick Turn Step 2 - Strafe in Opposite Direction to Turn
While you are turning with reverse thrust, if you strafe in the opposite direction of the turn, you'll swing your ship around faster.

LovableRogue: "Different ships have different turn rates, requiring practice to get a feel of them. If you are in a slow turning ship, it's better to engine kill and drift-fight rather than circle around to attack."

Engine Kill Turns
Killing your engines allows you to continue flying in the same direction while you turn your ship around. This allows you to put some distance between you and your opponent, giving you more time to turn and come back around for another attack run.

Engine Kill Dangers
When you are drifting above 79m/s, strafing lowers your speed back to 79. To avoid this, TAP the strafe key instead of holding it down, or hold down the afterburner while strafing, otherwise you will lose drifting speed. Cruise Disruptors will restart your engines if they hit you, so be prepared to quick turn if you get CD'd.

Drifting Turns
Drifting puts range between you and your opponent, making it more difficult to hit you immediately after they turn around. This allows you to head-on attack again, so it's a favorite for skilled head-on duellers.

Handbrake Turns
Quick turning gets you closer, quicker, allowing you to attack sooner and, if you're fast enough or your opponent is too slow, you can attack straight away if they are within range. Always be ready to find their aiming cross and throw everything you've got at it.

Summary Points for Dogfighting
Head-on attacks let you use mines and missiles more effectively.

Strafing with afterburners on is the best way to avoid incoming fire when attacking head-on.

Reverse thrust turn if you want to get within range quicker.

Drift turn if you want to put more range between you and your target.

Long range weapons can be used best with Drift turning.

If you have short range weapons, get as close to your opponent as possible and reverse thrust turn as soon as you pass them, then afterburn after them.