Drift Slowdown

[Sigma]

Is there a way to maintain the initial drift speed when drift mode is activated? When I am in a bind I use drift to dodge incoming fire, and the fact that the ship will eventually slow down to "standard" speed does leave me significantly more exposed. IMO there should be a setting that will allow drift toggle, where when activated you can drift with full throttle control range. Freeform space dogfights are the best kind of space dogfights.

[PrimalAce]

I'm not sure how drifting in a completely straight line (which is what drift does when activated) allows you to "dodge" incoming fire. Turning is the sure fire best way to throw off an attackers lead on you and thus miss.

[NOBLE SIX]

+1 to this. Would much prefer being able to strafe at higher speeds!

[Sigma]

Originally posted by PrimalAce:

I'm not sure how drifting in a completely straight line (which is what drift does when activated) allows you to "dodge" incoming fire. Turning is the sure fire best way to throw off an attackers lead on you and thus miss.

The only way to do this with the current mechanism is to do a combination of drift, thrust, and turn. Doing so will allow you to actively change the movement direction and speed of the ship. The issue stems from the fact that the ship slows down, and disables the primary thruster once drift is activated. If those were available, you would be able to "dance" around with the spacecraft in any parabolic movement and facing any direction you like.

[PrimalAce]

So basically you want a mode where by the thrust button still works in drift mode and by feathering it you can drift -> turn -> thrust -> turn -> thrust -> etc and thus maintain speed and drift around a corner?

[He Who Has No Name]

Originally posted by PrimalAce:

So basically you want a mode where by the thrust button still works in drift mode and by feathering it you can drift -> turn -> thrust -> turn -> thrust -> etc and thus maintain speed and drift around a corner?

I think that's what he's getting at, allowing him to pulse the engine while drifting to bump his velocity vector in a new direction. I think it would be neat, actually.

[passinglurker]

Originally posted by ‹SigmaSnake›:

Originally posted by PrimalAce:

I'm not sure how drifting in a completely straight line (which is what drift does when activated) allows you to "dodge" incoming fire. Turning is the sure fire best way to throw off an attackers lead on you and thus miss.

The only way to do this with the current mechanism is to do a combination of drift, thrust, and turn. Doing so will allow you to actively change the movement direction and speed of the ship. The issue stems from the fact that the ship slows down, and disables the primary thruster once drift is activated. If those were available, you would be able to "dance" around with the spacecraft in any parabolic movement and facing any direction you like.

you are in space there should be no drag to slow you down.

I'd like to drift at speed too btw

[Phantom Hoover]

It's clearly a deliberate design decision to balance the manoeuvrability offered by drift. I've played lots of Freespace mods that let you drift at max speed, it leads to really dumb and degenerate gameplay.

[Szoreny Klepko]

What is max speed btw, I'm getting 307 units at max which seems like an odd number.

[CTC]

Originally posted by Szoreny Klepko:

What is max speed btw, I'm getting 307 units at max which seems like an odd number.

Time to plug my guide. Hop over and have a look, I think I covered most of the basic stats (including speeds/hull with juggernaut, carapace and intake cooling).

[Aegrim]

I think you drift already while turning. You can still crash into something you're not pointing out if you turn too late and drift into it.
I'm not sure the thruster still working while drift is on would be any different, depends how much thrust it gives and I can't tell without numbers.

But yes, slowing down is a bit annoying, and having the option to still thrust forward without having to release drift would be nice.

[ToxicVampire]

Originally posted by Szoreny Klepko:

What is max speed btw, I'm getting 307 units at max which seems like an odd number.

It's higher if you get rid of the starting armor upgrade. If you roll just speeds its in the 400s.