DOGFIGHTING
Introduction to Dogfighting
Dogfighting in Star Citizen fuses precise stick-and-rudder skills with razor-sharp tactical decisions. This guide blends foundational material with pro-level know-how so you can confidently duel ace pilots or coordinate multi-ship engagements. Master the basics, then build toward elite skills that separate tournament winners from random bounty hunters.
Understanding Weapon Systems
Weapon Types
Each class offers distinct trade-offs in DPS, heat, ammo and projectile speed:
Energy Weapons
Unlimited “ammo”, instant projectile travel; watch your ship’s power grid and heat. Great for sustained pressure.
Ballistic Weapons
Finite magazines but strong shield-penetration. Plan resupply or swap to secondaries mid-fight.
Missiles & Torpedoes
Lock-and-launch ordnance for burst damage or finishing blows. Countered by flares / chaff.
Weapon Controls
| Action | Default Key | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Guns | Left Click | Primary weapon group |
| Fire Missiles | Middle Click | Launch locked missile |
| Cycle Fire Groups | G | Swap selected weapon group |
Targeting & Tracking
Accurate gunnery starts with good target data. Learn to prioritise threats, read lead-pips and keep lock under heavy maneuvers.
R – Cycle all targets
Y – Target nearest enemy
U – Target nearest friendly
H – Target nearest hostile
G – Target attacker
Basic Combat Maneuvers
Sharpen these staples before you attempt anything fancy
Barrel Roll
Roll while pitching to throw off enemy aim yet keep guns on target.
Spiral Dive
Combine forward thrust and roll for unpredictable slashing passes.
Joust & Turn
High-speed head-on pass then break hard to re-engage. Useful vs bigger craft.
Decoupled Drift
Kill forward thrust, rotate nose on pursuer, re-ignite thrusters to offset vector.
Advanced Maneuvering
Elite pilots string complex vectors together, forcing opponents to overshoot or bleed velocity.
Displacement Roll
Roll + lateral thrust = drifting side-step while guns stay on prey.
Vertical Spiral
Climb or dive in a corkscrew to dodge nose-to-nose fire.
Boost-Turn-Boost
Short boost, hard yaw, second boost. Breaks missile and pip tracking.
Decoupled Drift Turn
Sustain original vector while swinging nose 180° for snap shots.
Squadron Tactics
Two mediocre ships in sync beat one ace out of step. Learn formations and comms.
Core Formations
- Finger Four / Wing Pair: Flexible four-ship with mutual support.
- Wall: Line-abreast for maximum forward firepower.
- Combat Spread: Loose spacing allowing independent break turns.
Coordination Drills
Rotate roles (lead, wing, element) and practise target calls, bracket manoeuvres and synchronized bursts.
Specialized Combat Roles
Multiplayer action thrives on role synergy. Consider the following archetypes.
Interceptor
High thrust, light guns; objective: deny space and chase runners.
Heavy Assault
Slower bruiser with repeaters or large ballistics for capital kills.
Support
Repair, refuel or beam weapons; stay alive and bolster allies.
Energy & Power Management
Master your power triangle and overclocking to squeeze every joule out of the grid.
Engagement Phase
Route surplus to weapons for burst DPS.
Pursuit Phase
Pump engines when chasing or repositioning.
Defensive Phase
Dump power to shields while cork-screwing under incoming fire.
Tactical Strategies
Strategic thinking converts stick-skills into wins. Keep situational awareness, choose favourable fights and use terrain.
- Choose Your Battles: Never commit without an exit route.
- Positioning: Control vertical space and sun angle.
- Focus Fire: Delete targets sequentially in group fights.
- Use the Environment: Asteroids make great missile blockers.
Advanced Combat Techniques
Once fundamentals click, layer on these pro tools.
Missile Defense
- Chaff / flares timing drills
- High-G break turns to out-curve seekers
Energy Management Deep-Dive
- Overclocking burst guns for kill windows
- Heat dumping between passes
- Emergency component shutdown hierarchy
Practice Exercises
Sharpen skills methodically. Try these drills.
Arena Commander Vanduul Swarm
Lead-pip training against AI waves.
Asteroid Field Jousts
Practise cover usage and quick breaks.
Multi-Target Gauntlet
Cycle priorities rapidly, keep SA high.
Common Issues & Solutions
Pip feels impossible to keep on target
Fix: Train gentle stick inputs, match velocity and practise predictive lead shooting.
Wingmate comms chaos
Fix: Establish brevity codes and designate one tactical lead.
Quick Tips
Master the Basics First
Everything fancy starts with rock-solid fundamentals.
Practice with Purpose
One skill per session beats scattershot grinding.
Review Your Replays
Debrief losses, note mistakes, iterate.
Next Steps
Join competitive orgs, scrim regularly and stay current with patch notes. Teaching newer pilots is the fastest way to cement your own mastery.