Guide to Understanding and Handling Interdictions in Elite Dangerous

Interdictions are a key aspect of gameplay in Elite Dangerous, introducing an element of risk and excitement during supercruise travel. This guide will help you comprehend how interdictions work and provide strategies to effectively manage them.

Understanding Interdictions

1. What are Interdictions?
– Interdictions occur when an entity—be it a player, NPC pirate, bounty hunter, or system authority vessel—attempts to force you out of supercruise. When an interdictor locks onto your ship, it triggers a mini-game that determines whether you can escape or will be successfully interdicting.

2. Entities Involved:
– Interdictions can originate from various sources:
– Players: Other commanders may engage you in an attempt to steal your cargo or challenge you in combat.
– NPCs: Pirates or bounty hunters may attempt to sabotage your journey.
– System Authority Vessels: Sometimes, security forces may interdict players during illegal activities.
– Thargoids: This alien race can also engage in hyperdictions while you’re traveling.

How to Avoid or Escape Interdictions

Preparation

1. Skill and Reflexes:
– The key to successful interdiction evasion lies heavily in your piloting skills. Regularly practicing the mini-game will familiarize you with its mechanics and improve your success rate.

2. Ship Setup:
– Equipping your ship for optimal speed and maneuverability is crucial. Enhance your ship with top-tier engines, shields, and possibly modifications that improve performance during evasive maneuvers.

During an Interdiction

1. Flight Assist Off:
– As the interdiction begins, disable your Flight Assist. This will give you greater control over your ship’s movements, allowing for sharper maneuvers.

2. Align with Escape Vector:
– Maintain alignment with the escape vector displayed on your screen. This is your pathway to evade the interdiction efficiently.

3. Interdiction Mini-game:
– During the tug-of-war mini-game, focus on filling your blue bar while ensuring the red bar doesn’t reach its limit. Success in this game relies on your quick reflexes and strategic piloting.

Escaping After Failure

1. Quick Exit Strategies:
– If you fail to escape, immediately boost away from the interdictor. This creates distance, allowing you time to evaluate your situation.

2. Mass Lock and Jumping:
– For larger ships like the Type-9, consider jumping to a nearby system. This strategy can create a mass lock effect, providing temporary shelter from immediate threats.

Submitting to an Interdiction

1. Submission Tactics:
– In some scenarios, especially if you’re being interdicted repeatedly, it might be beneficial to submit. Submitting results in a drop out of supercruise without damage, which can set you up for a strategic advantage later.

2. Avoiding Repeated Interdictions:
– After submitting, be prepared to boost away quickly to minimize the chance of being interdicted again, particularly if the interdictor is another player.

General Tips

– Practice Regularly: As with most skills in Elite Dangerous, practice helps improve your interdiction responses. The more scenarios you face, the more adept you’ll become at handling them.

– Optimize Your Loadout: Tailor your ship’s specifications to align with your desired playstyle, whether that be trading, exploring, or engaging in combat. Choose modules and enhancements that suit your needs during interdictions.

By understanding the intricacies of interdictions and employing these strategies, you will be better prepared to navigate the dangers of supercruise travel in Elite Dangerous. Good luck out there, Commander!