AFS/Targeting
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Targeting and Autopilot
There are many keys used to target all kinds of objects. As covered in the tutorial, by default the common targeting keys are:
- x will target the closest enemy
- e will target every enemy one after the other
- b will target the closest docking base
- q will target enemy bases
- c will target whatever is in the center of your screen
- j will target friendly eject pods
There are plenty of target functions that you may want to consider binding, such as enemy bomber, enemy miner, friendly constructor, there's even a target aleph!
Make sure you know how to target real well. Quickly targeting what you want will prove to be an excellent asset in both fighting and being a good teammate.
Left-clicking on the minimap or right clicking an object will cause you to target whatever you clicked on. Right-clicking on empty space will set a waypoint at that point and target it. In either case your ship will also engage autopilot to your new target too.
Note Right-clicking on the minimap opens a chatbox with that sector as the recipient
Tracking your enemy
When you target something its icon will be highlighted on your HUD, but there is also more information at the bottom of your screen. Targeting your enemy will provide you with a lot of essential information.
- You have the name of the pilot and the ship they're flying.
- The amount of armour and shield they have currently.
- Their speed and distance from you.
- Most importantly, a picture of their ship orientation relative to you.
This is where you take decisions. Do you try to use your superior agility or superior firepower? This depends on whether you're a heavy interceptor against a scout, or the opposite. If you should flee or pursue, keeping track of their speed and distance should be useful. Knowing if you are in range or not also is an important asset (the green reticule on the top right indicates that the target is in range).
The ship displayed as your target is placed relative to your position. If the ship is looking at you, it will be looking at you in the target. If it is moving away from you, you will see the back of the ship. In short, you see the ship as if you were looking at it from a camera on your ship. Use this to know whether you're being pursued or not, or to place yourself on parallel flight paths, for example.
Tip: Veteran players will attempt to throw off their opponents view of them. For instance looking at you but flying backwards so that in the image it appears they're flying straight at you. Keep an eye on their speed and range to discover what they're up to.
Additionally certain ships provide you with lead indicators, which indicate where your weapons must be fired in order to hit the target. With a target out of range, the lead indicator is red. When the target is in range, the lead indicator turns green: fire on it to hit the target. All turret guns have lead indicators. Also, if an assault ship or carrier is present in a sector, it provides all friendly ships with lead indicators.
Tip: Don't be distracted by the lead indicator. Continue to zoom in slightly and watch your bullets to ensure they're hitting your target.
