[Krypton17]

I'm interested in getting some recommendations for game play.  Which do you use? and do you change any of the default settings.  I tried putting the throttle on my joystick z axis and some throttle controls on the joystick too, but think maybe maybe 'H" (target hostile) and "M" (match speed) are the way to go when dogfighting.  Meaning 1 hand on the joystick and the other at the keyboard.  Is there specific forum for game play strategies?  I'll start experimenting but any hints are appreciated.

[Jeff Vader]

Laptop keyboard. Though you really have to rape the default configuration to get things rolling.

[Dark Hunter]

I have fire countermeasure, target bomb, target hostile, and change weapon mapped to my joystick for ease of use, but other than that I use the standard joystick + keyboard layout.

I don't usually use the joystick's throttle, instead I use the accelerate button (A) for movement (I've never really liked Match Speed for dogfighting). For long stretches when I simply must be moving at all times I like the Full Throttle button (\).

I reccomend familiarizing yourself with some of the advanced targeting controls. They help out a lot. Some that I use a lot are: target subsytem/turret in reticle (V), target ship on escort list (E), target ship targeting my target (G), and target ship in reticle (Y).

[Nuke]

i got a pretty 1337 setup with my ch stick throttle and pedals, and track ir.

my pedals control roll, joystick controls yaw and pitch, throttle controls throttle and the mini stick controls lateral and vertical thrust (sort of, its key mapped). my throttle has a reverse thrust zone which ive mapped to the z key, and the afterburner comes on automatically when throttle is pushed up all the way.

since i have the track ir, i dont need any view buttons. so all 4 hats on the stick are assigned to targeting functions. of the 4 buttons, the trigger is prims, the side button is secondaries and the top button is countermeasures, the pinky button is target reticle.

the throttle's top hat is set up as weapon select, left right and secodary select/mode. the main hat controls shields, any diagonal direction equalizes them. the button under the thumgstick toggles glide. the remaining 2 hats are for energy management. one controls the ets gauge, it only covers the increase control and has a equalize button, which is sufficient. the other hat has energy transfers. the 3 other buttons, i think are press to glide and i cant remember what the other 2 do. i keep my keys on default, usually only using them if i forget what my targeting controls are mapped to

i use voice commands for wingman orders. not sure if that feature is still supported though.

[haloboy100]

I use a logitech attack 3, which works perfectly well for me. I never touch the keyboard at all during a fight, except to switch secondaries, energy management, or wingmen orders.

I have target hostile, target reticule, countermeasure, and secondary fire on the top of my stick, afterburner and equalize sheild on the left side of the base, full throttle and match speed buttons on the side of the base closest to me as well as my throttle, and target escort ship and an unassigned button on the right side of the base, as I don't know what to do with that one

@nuke: **** you. I'm so jealous

[JVLK]

I'm also setting up a good layout for my joystick, so I was wandering wich of the target commands you guys use the most in this game. now I currently only have Target nearest hostile ship and Target next ship mapped.
I use the x52 saitek so I have some room for commands, but I don't want to over do it.
I also have thrust forward-left-right etc mapped, are they really worth it in the long run (just started with fs2)

[Dark Hunter]

I almost never use the basic Target command. Usually target hostile, or target ship in reticle.

I like mapping target bomb to the joystick, as it is a huge help in escort/defense missions to be able to instantly target the nearest bomb to shoot down.

[haloboy100]

*facepalm*

THAT'S what I should map my extra button too!

[Nuke]

I use a logitech attack 3, which works perfectly well for me. I never touch the keyboard at all during a fight, except to switch secondaries, energy management, or wingmen orders.

I have target hostile, target reticule, countermeasure, and secondary fire on the top of my stick, afterburner and equalize sheild on the left side of the base, full throttle and match speed buttons on the side of the base closest to me as well as my throttle, and target escort ship and an unassigned button on the right side of the base, as I don't know what to do with that one

@nuke: **** you. I'm so jealous

i also have some wireless edimensional glasses, but im waiting for nvidia to update their stereo drivers. the old ones don't work with my 8800gts.

[Excalibur]

I don't use A for accelerating - I always forget it's there and then wonder why I get hit!
Instead I use \ and use Z to slow if needed.

[Scuddie]

I find the default settings for my Logitech Dual Action gamepad actually work quite well.  Though I still have to use the keyboard for advanced actions.

[Mars]

I don't use A for accelerating - I always forget it's there and then wonder why I get hit!
Instead I use \ and use Z to slow if needed.

That's what I do... I find my keyboard is less likely to get overwhelmed that way.

[sidious345]

Mouse and Keyboard. A mouse is easier, a joystick gives you a more realistic feeling.

Personnally I cant play with a joystick at all.

[Droid803]

Joystick/Keyboard. Default configuration.
That's the way I've learned it, so anything else feels awkward.

I use the Joystick for steering and shooting, and everything I use the keyboard. I technically have four buttons and a throttle control on my joystick that I can't figure out how to configure.

[Excalibur]

Use the mouse and have a joystick ready for evasive action!!!

[Nuke]

i do reach for the mouse for very long range shots. then again i could probibly program my ch software to make the wheel on the joystick act as a scaler control for my x and y axes. so when i need to go long range, i can dial back my sensitivity, in combat, i can dial it up. it would be pretty sweet.