The circly maneuver!
Yes, the circly maneuver, but what is that circly maneuver?
I will tell you! This is how a shuttlecraft can destroy a clipper! Save hundreds of thousands of credits saving up for that "in-between" ship like a scoutship, and go straight for your own vessel! Why waste your time with ships that aren't worth the scrapmetal it takes to build them?
"How can i destroy more powerful ships with a shuttle?", you ask...

The circly maneuver is the key element in destroying turretless ships without wasting your precious secondary weapons and shielding, armor whatnot. It is the easiest maneuver in the game, but it can be deadly if you let your guard down. You need to always be on guard, because computer AI can make some last minute turns that leave you in the dust, or biting the dust.

To perform the circly maneuver, first, you need to first get behind an enemy ship. In escape velocity, the AI isn't quite as sharp as in EVO, so it should work fine. Most likely the ship will follow you the way you went around it. Now comes the (with a good eye and smooth controls) easy part. Just keep moving around so that you are ALWAYS behind it. Simple right? just fire away! You are guaranteed to save lots of money on ammo considering you need only use primary weapons, and you will be much more relaxed. This means that in the heat (and stress) of battle, you will not forget yourself and destroy a ship you wish to board (the easiest way to make fast cash).

While we are on the topic here is a good pointer for boarding:
Always (if possible) take the cash. Take fuel for your ship to save money. Take any and all weapons (javelins from clippers, heavy rockets from gunboats) so you can sell them. And taking cargo will also boost your money (if you sell wisely).

I can't stop! While we are on that topic, i suggest you check out the planets of Satori and Clotho. There you will find some great trading...

Alls for now, that was a production of helpful hints with Ace, sponsered by viewers like you!

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Ace Battlepilot
<mercenary for hire>
"My contract is simple. Give me a Miranu Gunship, give me upgrade funds, and turn this mad dog loose, cus once I'm let out, there's no hope for you..."

Good one, Ace. I have never tried it with a shuttle, though. (You must be really good.)

I use a similar technique "the Rosie" (as in "Ring Around the...") to take out much higher classed ships. I've taken out Argosies with Clippers using the Rosie. I've taken Kestrels, Frigates, and even Fed Cruisers (after softening them with half-a-dozen torps) with my 'Vette.

1. It is best to attack their six, but so long as you don't take 'em head-on, it'll work. Come in on them at an oblique angle (too direct and you just whip-crack back and forth)

2. Engage auto-pilot, primary weapons (protons, in my case) and forward thrust. You will spin around them faster than their turn rate can bring their primaries fully against you -- and they won't fire their secondaries (for the same reason)

3. Keep your eye on their shields (and yours, to be safe) and as soon as they are disabled, release auto-pilot and primary weapons. (You'll take a fun "slingshot" ride away from the bogie.)

4. Board, plunder and/or capture to your heart's content.

Have fun with the Rosie....

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“You will find that our crew will be either the most valuable, loyal, and trustworthy of allies, or ... if you insist on trying to swallow us up -- the worst of enemies. The choice is yours. And should you choose to fight us ... don’t bring a knife to a gunfight!”

hey i've used an attack like that since i started playing! i took out the alien cruiser doing that and only got my shields down to 'bout 85%using a kestrel( i didn't get it just for that mission though)
i just stay on top of them and fire all the laser beams i have!

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I call that Outcircling, and use it all the time.

It's best in EVO, shuttle against fleets of Voinian Heavy Fighters.

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Don't play with changing names:
Esponer - 130 posts
Paladin - Nearly 100 posts
Sylver - 1 post

A shuttle craft can take all the hits of an argosy while nailing it head on with javalins. This is the best of all strategies.

Easier Way=Shoot freighter while they prepare to warp. A shuttle can disable them before they leave. No problem.

No one ever helps you when you ask for help, do they? If they don't help, I turn and kill them.

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Quote

What the people say is law. There is no honor in the Lands of Mizra.
-Mizra

Quote

Originally posted by Mizra:
No one ever helps you when you ask for help, do they? If they don't help, I turn and kill them.

I lost track of my fuel levels -- once, with each of two different pilots. The first time I got help immediately from a Confed Cargo Transport. The second time (with an Ultimate combat rating) five different ships ignored my request.

(I still wonder if my combat rating and legal status in neighboring systems had something to do with that.)

And, Yes. That second time I "took" the fuel in the end....

- KK

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“You will find that our crew will be either the most valuable, loyal, and trustworthy of allies, or ... if you insist on trying to swallow us up -- the worst of enemies. The choice is yours. And should you choose to fight us ... don’t bring a knife to a gunfight!”