Mastering Decoupled Flight In Star Citizen: Pro Tips For Expert Maneuvering

[@UmbraAtrox_]

0:40 coupled means your ship does everything to only move to which buttons you press + cruise control for forwards. That means if you move at 500m/s, couple, and press no buttons it tries to stop because commanded direction is nowhere. If you go uncoupled up (towards roof), couple, and press W it engages thrusters pushing you down and forwards because it tries to delete up velocity and build forwards velocity because with holding W the commanded direction is only forwards while uncoupled would only fire forward thrusters, uncoupled Ctrl + W would be coupled W in this example. TDLR: coupled you control the ships direction while the ship automatically fires the correct combination of thrusters to make you go that way, uncoupled you control the thrusters directly.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Have a pin

[@xotx4291]

Decoupled in Star Citizen is a HELL of a lot easier than FAOff in Elite Dangerous! I would suggest a keybind or hotas button be set for for quick decoupled/coupled swapping. There are times where you WILL want to be in coupled flight if even for a quick second or two, so make it an easy bind location to hit, especially for PvP.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Agreed. It is VERY forgiving.

[@tonytouch072]

I think its because in ELITE its fully decoupled. So unlike in SC where its just X and Y axis, in Elite even your rolls are decoupled. There are no thrusters helping there. Personally I prefer the SC version. I just could not Git Gud with the Elite version.

[@pezkenin]

I have such button on my hotas, this allow me to switch modes while dogfighting or doing an aggresive landing / approach

[@xotx4291]

@@tonytouch072 I can't fly FAOff in Elite for crap! I just toggle FAO for quick vector changes. I use a HOTAS, and it's just insanely hard to fly full FAO in ED! In SC, it's hard to even tell I am flying decoupled. o7

[@FrozenKnight21]

Understanding a little astro physics will help a lot with this. For example most people would not think to use forward to make a circle. (And to be honnest in true physics models you don't, as your orbit is already cicrular, you just need to learn the actually rather difficult procedure of intercepts to approach anything. (Which is why we dont have true physics in the game, CIG thinks people are generally too dumb to handle real physics. And the number of people who avoid decoupled flight kinda proves them right.) But in a true physics model, once in motion all you need to maintain an orbit, is a small ammount of acceleration towards the center. (But i think the important detail here was, just how much of the time he was able to keep his nose, and thus guns on target.)

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

I'll be honest I don't know a thing about astro physics. This is a good write up though and explains it better than I could.

[@FrozenKnight21]

@@BuzzCutPsycho thanks I guess. I know, I over conplicate things ocasuinally.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

@@FrozenKnight21 its okay it just shows that you think about things a lot. That is nothing to be sorry for. I'm tne opposite. I like simple. It's why I sold my entire sticks and peddle setup. After 30 years of mouse and keyboard I was unwilling to learn something new especially when it came to springs cams and dead zones. I still use Ironsights on my rifles too. Even for hunting. I'm weird.

[@FrozenKnight21]

@@BuzzCutPsycho to be honnest my only complaint about SC, is that I feel it would be more fun trying to learn space combat in a real physics enviorment. But it looks like the CIG feels that is too complicated to understand for most of us. So, I have a bit of a gripe about it.

[@terriorx]

After watching your first MM flying guide I tried decoupled and like you said, so much more control. But I feel like coupled is more easy to fly in fights just to have a few less things to worry about.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Totally understandable. But I think you may find that you won't have move to worry about in decoupled since momentum controls itself. Especially in your redeemer. Speaking of which i mention you in an upcoming podcast with malorn about multicrew.

[@ThomasD66]

Out of atmo I mostly fly decoupled. But lately in xenothreat I'm staying coupled as it seems to cut down on player on player collisions. Limited sample, so YMMV.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Limited but still a good one.

[@Exaust_SCF]

you didn't mention the decoupled/vectorial landing that is nuts as well ;)

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Oooops!!

[@RicoZaid_]

Awesome video.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Thanks!

[@jakeramp1]

The technical term is space soup. Double coupled is the term given to decoupled flight, where boost is used. Noone listened to you in PS2 either... GG

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

LOL well maybe they will listen here ;)

[@Zethez]

Another great flying tutorial. May I ask if you have default 3rd person views programmed? i.e. to assist with landing

[@parkerxgps]

2 is above, 5 is reverse view from in front. 1 is behind ship at landing gear level facing forward.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

I do not. I mostly don't use it unless I am in a big ship landing in a weird spot.

[@Zethez]

@@parkerxgps Thanks for sharing your setup.

[@Zethez]

@@BuzzCutPsycho Thanks for responding.

[@grygaming5519]

Coupled mode is great for when you need flight assist (leaving and taking off from port, mining and salvaging) where you (key word because sometimes we do fumble the controls) may lack precision on decoupled. However for 80% of the case hit C and fly once you are out of range of your space port.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Spot on. It's fine to use in niche scenarios but once I'm outta that hanger I'm turning it off.

[@grygaming5519]

@@BuzzCutPsycho I'm still waiting for that long awaited Auto Pilot feature they keep talking about. sometimes you just want to hit cruse and listen to the tunes.

[@pheebs8451]

Hey Buzzcut I have a question. Decoupled works well for more manoeuvrable lighter ships but would you use coupled or decoupled for a fully loaded reclaimer or Hull C? Thanks fir your answers 🙏

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

for those? Not really. Depends on what I was doing. In PvP? For sure, not PvP? wouldn't matter.

[@pheebs8451]

Thanks mate.

[@mtojebogi]

So... to rip the bandaid off.. would you recommend slowly peeling it or straight up yank it off. Been flying coupled for longest time, but honestly with MM it really edges decoupled flying with lower speeds.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

full on yank my friend

[@qutatron]

Does decoupled mode burn less hydrogen?

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Yes.

[@AdnanAhmed]

I like de coupled flight. However I find it super scary when flying through debris.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

dont be afraid! But I understand, it is a good place to practice.

[@crawlie]

I was exploring decoupled in the last few patches, but have gone basically full decoupled now that you don't sink in atmo as well. Landings are so much slicker when you just soar in decoupled and drift down to the pad.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

I am gonna do something about atmo, it needs a video too. There is a setting to disable...

[@Blue-Mystic]

You dont sink in atmo anymore? that's the single reason i didnt liked decoupled mode after my first trials with it.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

@@Blue-Mystic you do not. I'm gonna make a video on atmospheric stuff but there is a reason you don't sink outside of coupled mode

[@PursauntYapper]

Yeah the new setting in atmo is kinda weird it makes it into a hybrid of the 2 modes. I set it to toggle off with the same decoupled button press as I don't like it

[@fastgamingchannels7024]

Sorry to ask again :( But what are the best rifles and pistols or general weapons to use / recommend for new players? i think u mention the S71 but which one? Also is there any gun modding sites/weapon builds sites ? Thanks in advance! ^^ @BUzZ,CutPsycho also looking for some Avenger Titan builds from u pro's :)

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

S71 with suppressor for PVE. Compensator for PvP. Optic of your choosing. I prefer irons or 1x personally. Pistol wise they're all very good. For efficiency on NPC use the Coda. Another good rifle is the standard P4 rifle. Very good all around. Only rifle I would personally avoid is the Karna due to its annoying visual recoil and severe damage drop off. This will be fixed. SMG wise the P8 is likely to be "the best" post upcoming nerf. Avoid shotguns Sniper rifles the P6 is the best.

[@fastgamingchannels7024]

@@BuzzCutPsycho Perfect, thanks for your time :)

[@AChungusAmongUs]

I've been trying to get used to flying decoupled. I see it being great for allowing you to pull off maneuvers at higher speeds that wouldn't be possible in coupled mode. I always switch back to coupled when landing, though. Coupled is a big help when precision maneuvers are needed. Like trying to fit a bigger ship into a tight hanger.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

That is totally valid. The landing gear naturally puts you into a hover mode of sorts too.

[@broonkhavar1461]

It feels like I'm one of those rare people that does understand momentum, but still prefers Coupled over decoupled. You are correct though, understanding Momentum is the real key here - regardless if you prefer Coupled or Decoupled. One of my earliest flight sim games was an old 6 DOF game called Mantis. It was basically a pure decoupled-mode space fighter game, only it didn't have any TVI. Just space dots to indicate your movement, and no other hand-holding. Having said that, I fly in Coupled mode, but I treat it like Decoupled while in combat or for hard maneuvering. With dual sticks, I use my main thruster to set my preferred momentum, and very short boost bursts to carry my momentum when I want, then let the ship's natural propensity to slow or dampen momentum to bring things in tight when I want. It's hard to explain, but it works well for me.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

If you like it and it works for you by all means use it. I tried both and now I simply feel weaker in coupled personally. There is nothing saying you cannot be good and be coupled. Practice will always be key

[@olsnapper840]

Love these videos you put out! I like that they are short and sweet, straight to the point, and easily digestible. Please keep them coming they have been helping me out a ton as a relatively new player! I already implemented your recommended keybind and setting changes with regards to the PIP and I can honestly say, wow, what a HUGE difference in PIP visibility! I am landing so much more of my shots now that I can actually SEE my lead PIP. I have heard good things about the lag PIP but haven't tried that out yet. Anyway thanks again!

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

You are very welcome and that is why I make these videos. No bull crap, just the info people need. With an opinion video here and there for good measure ;)

[@Zodaxa_zdx]

coming from ED I rarely ever decouple except to orbit tharg- big space wale sized ship targets. It's a ton easier here tho as the ships move at insane speeds in comparison. Only downside is you're more drifting through space like a hockey puck meaning you will hit an asteroid or something in dense environments... dead space however go for it, it's just free speed

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Understandable. I live in decoupled personally.

[@parkerxgps]

I spend not enough time in AC. Mostly use coupled because ships are desyncy and not always moving. When things are as expected decoupled indeed.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

totally understandable

[@AdnanAhmed]

My only issue with decoupled now is seeing a target in front of me, say 3kms away. My ship is moving in some direction because I don't see the vector marker, however I want to quickly catch up to my target ship. If I do in decoupled mode, it takes a while until t he vectors align with my nose as I move front, if I switch to coupled mode for a second, I can quickly align myself with my nose trajectory.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Pretty valid. He can also slow down too. ;) i like coupled for velocity matching too because you don't have to mess with a limiter too much either. All preference my brother.

[@tadstertrolley7770]

Talking about being a better pilot and immersion yet using a keyboard to fly 😂. Nothing about this game is realistic, and real controls in the future will be fully autonomous. As it is, many fighter jets like a F16 would be unflyable without being coupled and commanded by flight computers. In a few years there will be no more fighter pilots.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Ya

[@Nosferatu_BE]

This is all good in free space when there are no obstacles. However when there is lot’s of debris, especially moving elements things get different. I think when big cap ship battles start to occur with lots of fighters, supports, wrecks you will need to fit your ship in the tight fighting spaces without accidentally flying into crossfire, explosions, mines, PDCs etc. Both modes will have their advantage in the end.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Very possible. Right now even in the Corsair I stay decoupled. I love the momentum control too much and I like being a floating turret in space. ;)

[@EddieBrunstedt]

I really dislike that it's faster to come to a complete stop by switching to coupled mode rather than using the space brake. While the space brake may be just as effective at high speeds, it seems really ineffective when you're trying to stop while moving slowly. As a result, I often switch to coupled mode just to stop faster at the end.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Space break is actually worthless lol

[@bloodstoneoperator5372]

It’s not simulating atmo, it’s automatically firing thrusters to counter your current movement until you stop.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Yeah. So basically adding resistance.

[@asog88]

I prefer decoupled, but I find myself using coupled when landing in verticals hangers

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

100% acceptable

[@panicport8278]

Now, when youre landing or more stationary do you switch to coupled to help balance that momentum out?

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Nope. I personally do not. But you certainly can and that is a fine use for coupling.

[@JohnathanFaubert]

I fly with hotas and I feel like decoupled is a lot harder to learn, but I know I should

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

it is harder but the rewards are much greater my friend

[@jeremiahbond2810]

This is a better video than the other one. I just followed you so i have seen none of these.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Based welcome aboard

[@TheUnluckyCashew]

You should show how to vector land too for those quick hot drops :D

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Phew well I aint that good ;)

[@fastgamingchannels7024]

As i new player will deffo use Decoupled mode to get use to it, thanks for explanation! Also watch ur other video's which flying modes. Should i use FIXED? and in what situations should i use the other ones? Just trying to learn and understand mechanics

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Usually fixed unless you're in a big ship that is struggling to hit a smaller one

[@fastgamingchannels7024]

@@BuzzCutPsycho Again thank you ^^

[@machoalright]

agree, untill you have to land, than coupled mode is better

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

For sure, I even use it for landing!

[@machoalright]

@@BuzzCutPsycho me, not so much, to much gliding. that is the only way i return to coupled. at that given moment it gives me more control.

[@erusha_t]

the only thing I wish that SC allowed in addition to the current iteration of de-coupled flight is the ability to take it one step further and de-couple the pitch/roll/yaw movements as well (similar to how FA-off works in Elite Dangerous). With that, and the right balance of inputs from the pilot, you would be able to orbit a stationary target indefinitely with zero further inputs once the initial inputs are dialed in.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

I'd go a step further and just make that the way people have to flow and not give them an option to fail. Keep everyone on equal and even footing settings wise.

[@Tsudico]

@@BuzzCutPsycho I think it's more about lowering the skill floor so that more people can fly right away without issues. I remember when hover mode was briefly in the game and almost everyone hated it because it was hard for them to take off and land while only a few people seemed to like it, those few being people that had a good understanding of how it was affecting their ship. For that reason, I don't think Star Citizen will ever get rid of coupled mode. As for decoupled rotations, it is harder for people to understand how to cancel out of rotations more than translation. If you have a decoupled translation, it is pretty easy to get the ship to move into a different translation you want want just by pointing your nose and firing main thrusters as you explain in this video. There isn't really as easy an explanation for canceling rotations because it can vary depending on which ship you are in, since different ships have different rotation characteristics, as well as how complex a rotation you have gotten yourself into, because you may have multiple rotational axes at once. Additionally, decoupled translation doesn't induce black or red out while decoupled rotation could easily do so. That exacerbates the difficulty of negating the rotation since you no longer can tell how you are rolling because, while in real life you can still experience the g-forces, the HUD in the game with the g-force information disappears during black/red out.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

@@Tsudico This is good stuff. How do you feel about them potentially removing the option to couple/decouple and forcing everyone into one or the other? It's been discussed for testing.

[@Tsudico]

@@BuzzCutPsycho For testing purposes, or even for modes in Arena Commander, where they lock the mode to coupled, decoupled translation, or even decoupled rotation I think is fine. In order for them to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, they need to keep coupled mode in the base games (PU and SQ42) and then to support more engaging game play for more advanced players have decoupled mode(s) as options that can be chosen if so desired. I don't think CIG will care if someone decides to fly decoupled translation and rotation as long as it doesn't alter the characteristics of the ships they are flying and throw off balance because of that. If they add a decoupled rotation mode, I think having some indicators of exact rotation speed for each axes would be beneficial. SpaceX has an ISS docking simulator online that people can play with and even though they limit the rotation rates of the thrusters to 2° per second (far less than the rotation rates of CIG's ships) they still provide information on how fast the craft is rotating for each axis as well as how much you are currently changing that rotation. I think information like that would be crucial for players to be able to understand how to negate any rotation they find themselves in and may help with teaching players that want to learn to fly that way. Additionally, if they add a decoupled rotation mode in the future, I don't think there should be a default keybinding set to enter or switch into that mode so that new players don't accidentally find themselves in that state. They should have the player set a binding for it themselves and when MFD preferences are integrated it could be an option in the MFD if players want to have that as default.

[@arthurvartanov2573]

Decoupled good only with small light ships where you can easy control it with main thrusters. But heavy ship very difficult to control. Its very slow and keep going and main thrust not enought to change quickly direction.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

I disagree. Flying decoupled in a big ship is a massive help in pvp. It allows you to maintain your momentum and swivel to face targets while making you that much harder to orbit. To each his own.

[@arthurvartanov2573]

@@BuzzCutPsycho It depends where you fighting if you fight in asteroid field you will crash 100%

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

@@arthurvartanov2573 I can see that. I still fly decoupled even on the asteroid belt AC map. BUt to each his own, it isnt as dangerous as some may think IMO!

[@arthurvartanov2573]

@@BuzzCutPsycho Speeds slow now so it may be possible i agree with you i need to test

[@Roy-cu2iw]

More fun

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Yes fun

[@vik12D]

I LOVE decoupled

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Me too

[@JustSumGuy]

Im a regard, what does TVI stand for? Clearly I just need to show up to training or pay better attention to your vids if this is a acronym you used before. Thank you for the vids btw.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

Total Velocity Indicator.

[@Tsudico]

@@BuzzCutPsycho I thought it was thrust vector indicator.

[@DawnbreakerDivinations]

Would y'all recommend trying this in bigger ships? I can see the draw for fighters but in cargo ships? Not convinced

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

It would be arguably better, makes the corsair for example harder to hit due to maintained momentum while aiming. You are a floating moving turret!

[@UmbraAtrox_]

Especially with bigger ships decoupled is great, big bertha has a turning radius anyway so better to let her drift and use the thrusters just to adjust where she goes and maybe give forward Velocity when atmo or whatever slowed you down instead of trying to force her around in coupled. Unless you are landing or hold position you don't need coupled. On sharp turns you can hold C to temporarily turn it on so manuvering trusters support you, but you control those with wasdqe,space&ctrl anyway so you don't really need to.

[@Niaphore]

I am using a HOSAS Setup for flying and I removed the Spring of my left Stick for the Y-axis, to prevent it from moving back in the center position. The full range is forward thrust and all the way back is zero. Is this still usefull for decoupled? It looks like that I need more thrusters to change my directions. Hopefully I explained it right and you understand what I am talking about 😊 Your Videos are very helpfull and straight to the point! Love it…

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

It is 100% still useful for decoupled. HOSAS is preferred for it! You have way MORE control.

[@samheini]

Is removing the spring turning the stick into a throttle like that? Not sure if the short inputs of forward movements are achieved as quickly with it.. but i have no experience with throttles tbh.

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

I have no experience with them either. However, when I had two sticks, I kept the springs in and used pedals for that particular function. I am very sorry I cannot be of more help with that. :(

[@Niaphore]

@@samheini it works like a throttle. Had one before. Now I am using a VKB NXT with Z adapter. Have a lot of buttons at my fingers this way too

[@SniPantsu]

will try as soon as the servers are playable in the PU

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

yeah theyre crap

[@heathmorris6100]

Decoupled is the worst way to fly imo. Ship never listens to my inputs and I have to use space break anytime I want to change directions which means I end up simulating coupled flight anyways

[@BuzzCutPsycho]

That just means you have more control. What do you mean it does not listen to inputs? Is it delayed?

[@heathmorris6100]

@BuzzCutPsycho not delayed just weaker. Feels like the ship is twice as heavy

[@douwesteen]

@@BuzzCutPsycho You found someone that need some training. I Bet You Buzz in 2 training sessions this will be a Different man!