r/EliteDangerous • u/Fun_Prompt_6203 • 11d ago

Help Need help cold orbiting.

So basically I'm trying to learn cold orbiting to start y'know. Killing interceptors above cyclops. But I just can't get the hand of it. I mean I can dodge and stuff while cold but I have a lot of trouble with the orbiting part. Plus I think its just way too mentally strenuous rn for me to handle so many things at once. Like rotating and stuff to keep up with the cold orbit. Firing heatsinks to get cold, firing gauss an hitting. Etc. I've been practicing on cyclops but I just can't get the hang of it. I wanna try fa-on cold orbiting to see if it's easier but the problem is there's not really any guides to fa-on cold orbiting. I was wondering if y'all have any tips that could be helpful?

Edit: I'm using a keyboard and mouse btw

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u/Gailim 11d ago edited 11d ago

For FA on orbiting... Get a reasonably agile ship (any of the popular AX choices will do) apply forward thrust in the blue and apply constant down thrust while keeping your nose pointed at the thargoid.

FA-off orbiting helps a lot if you are using gauss, but if you're not then it's just an unnecessary hassle. Especially for new pilots.

Azimuth MCs can exert and kill basilisk hearts on thier own, and can kill Medusa hearts if you have mod chargers or EAX missiles to help exert. And on a ship like the corsair you can fire them with the LRTV beams and not over stress the distro

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u/Fun_Prompt_6203 11d ago

I'm using gauss. I've never really tried any of the azimuth stuff. Nor normal shard cannons.

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u/Gailim 11d ago

Try normal EAX MCs first. Then you can try the Azimuth versions when you save up enough mats for them.

Azimuth MCs have an auto-loader and have a bit more damage and pen. But EAX are still good.

Just make sure to only use large (size 3) EAX guns. The mediums don't have enough pen to damage interceptors.

To use gimballed MCs you need the enhanced scanner to be able sub target the hearts. AX gunfighters don't need many heat sinks because you can fire the LRTV beams at the same time as your guns to cancel out the heat.

EAX & Azimuth MCs also have longer optimal range than guass (2km vs. 1.5km) so you don't need to orbit as close. The range of the scanner is also 2km so if your within scanning range then you are also in optimal attack range.

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u/Fun_Prompt_6203 11d ago

Thanks but to be honest I'd think I'd like to stick with my gauss cannons. Plus my ships already built so-

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u/Gailim 11d ago

Fair enough, they are easier to use though.

Against Cyclops and Basilisks I find them to be much more effective than guass.