Avoiding misfires is critical in most dogfights. First, it means that you've wasted energy that didn't hit your intended target. More importantly, it means you might have made a second enemy and immediately be facing two or more opponents. It can also get you on Enemies Lists.

The game lets you hit an AI pilot once as "friendly fire", but the second hit will get a response. There's nothing worse than accidentally hitting a faction Moth in a faction crater while pirating. Suddenly you've moved from one target to being targeted by one or more Patrols. You'll probably have to run and let the booty get away.

The main key to avoiding misfires is to stay off the trigger when you are not hitting your target. This is easier said than done. When you're in a turn with your target, it's easy to get lazy and just keep firing until they are back in your sites. This is when most misfires occur.

Rule #1 is to quit firing when your target isn't being hit. At the least, you're wasting energy, critical until you get a Fusion Cell. At worst, you're making unwanted enmies with lasting consequenses.

It's best to let up off the trigger and concentrate on your flying. If your target is in a slow turn, you can just turn with them until your behind them and then retarget and fire. If they've gotten the better of you in a sharp turn, don't try turning. Instead, fly straight keeping them just off center of your sites until you're behind them.

Make a quick turn immediately after passing them. You want to start your turn before they've had a chance to start theirs. This will put you behind them eventually and it takes some concentration to get the timing right. Don't be firing until the target is dead in your sites.

Watch out for AI pilots who suddenly stop or reverse thrust. This is an excellent dogfighting tactic as your attacker will overshoot you and you'll be behind them. The best rememdy for this is to keep some distance between you and your target once a dogfight has begun.

It's okay to get right on top of a target to begin a dogfight. Once the flying starts, however, give them some distance except for the passes needed to get behind them described above. In those passes try to pass as closely as possible without getting in their sights.

Another common situation that results in misfires is attacking someone in a crowd. This happens when a bunch of Moths are all trying to pick up cargo or are crowded in or around a tunnel. In crowds, get right on top of your target. Make absolutely certain that you have your target sighted and not a Moth in front of them.

Now get them out of the crowd by shooting them twice with a cannon. Save the missiles for later. You don't want to do them much damage, you just want to get them to fly out of the crowd. A couple of Laser hits will do it.

Be aware of Moths behind your target in crowds. Limit your initial attack to two or so shots to get the target moving. A sustained attack will hit the Moths behind your target and get you in a mess.

When working a target in a crowd, make sure to get a good angle and get behind them. That way you'll be in a good following position when he takes off.

In summary:

Lay off the trigger when you are not hitting your target. Concentrate on piloting, passing, and turning to get him back in your sights.

Keep some distance between you and your target after the initial attack. This will prevent you from flying over or around your target if he suddenly reverses thrust or tries directional thrust tricks. It also makes it easier to approach and recover any cargo.

Be very careful if your target is in a crowd of Moths. Get in close and behind them. Shoot them twice with Laser and let them fly away from the pack before launching your full scale attack.