Default color scheme has Pirate names in Red and Gov't names in Blue while Enemy contrails are in Red and Team contrails are in Blue.

If you're on the Gov't side, this works fine. If you're playing for the Pirates, it can get confusing between Friendly Red names and Enemy Red contrails.

So, sidestep this problem with the Color Shift. It's a setting under Options>Controls that makes your team contrails and ship name tags Blue while the Enemy's is Yellow. So, Blue's on your side and Yellow's the enemy, always. Much simpler.



Text in chat will still use the Red for Pirate, Blue for Gov't scheme, but who has time for reading? By the by, Enter opens chat to your Team, Shift-Enter opens chat to All.

Default key for Forward Zoom is F. Forward Zoom is great. Excellent for better aiming on a distant ship. But Roll keys are A and D. So Forward Zoom while trying to fly is problematic.

Unless... Go into Options and map Forward Zoom to the Left Shift key. Now you can press Left Shift for the Forward Zoom and still be able to control your ship. Big plus!



Field of view while using Forward Zoom is more narrow than regular view. Rocks may be closer than you think.

Turrests seem like a menace but they are stupid and slow. They have to aim for where they think you'll be when the bullets get there. A little bob and weave, the occasional tap on the boost, and suddenly you're a lot more unpredictable.

Special tip for Capture the Flag: Turrets like shooting at rockets more than they like shooting at Mambas. So when you're swooping in to snag the flag, throw rockets over your path to distract the turrets. It's fun to watch.

• Flying down a stream of bullets is usually a bad idea.
  
  
• If you stop moving, it's much easier to get shot.
  
  
• The sharper the turn, the slower you go.
  
  
• If you can't see their contrails, they're probably behind you, and about to shoot.
  
  
• Hugging a rock can be good defense, if you can keep up with where the ship chasing you is now.
  
  
• Know where your carrier is.
  
  
• You won't be the first person who tried to hide in the wrong carrier.
  

Search and Destroy: Fly, don't die, shoot the other guy.

Carrier Assault: Hit the carrier with bombs from the bombers. Destroying turrets can make this easier, but is not necessary.

Capture the Flag: Get the enemy flag and bring it home. If you have the flag, your one goal is take it home; don't go chasing ships in the wrong direction. (Don't hit W once you've picked up the flag or you'll get a speed penalty.)

Roll (A/D), Boost (Spacebar), and Point (Mouse) are the basic controls for flying. Speed (W/S) is an advanced control. Boost management is a key skill. Tap, tap, tap. A heavy fighter is a sitting duck when it runs out of boost.

You can turn faster from side to side than up and down, so Roll to take advantage of that.

Don't waste boost in power turns. Use Roll and Point to get aimed, then Boost (Tap, tap, tap.)