Weapon Masterclass - Aim, Shoot, Hit
In this guide, we learn how to use the Freelancer aiming system to improve shooting accuracy. Also, we learn about realistic damage per second, and how a weapon might not be as good as it looks on paper. Finally, we give you some important pointers to remember.

Aiming
In order to hit your target, you must aim using the aiming cross. The aiming cross represents the place with the best chance of hitting the target. Freelancer figures this out based on the average projectile speed of your guns and turrets.

So this means if you have different shot speeds for your weapons, you will lose aiming accuracy, so make sure your projectile speeds are the same to get the best aiming cross accuracy.

TheBeastofCortez: "The aiming system automatically targets the guns at anything the aiming cross is pointing at. Use debris fields, missiles and mines to increase the chance your opponent's guns will accidentally target them instead of you."

Shooting
The fire rate of a weapon is how many shots per second it shoots. So take Hull Damage Per Shot and multiply it by the Refire Rate to get the total hull damage per second of that weapon.

Hitting
Hull damage per second is only realistic if every single shot hits your target. So you have to think about realistic damage per second, and to do that we should think about accuracy.
What affects accuracy?

The higher the rate of fire, the easier it is to hit your target, so accuracy improves. The drawback is that high rates of fire usually means low damage per second.

It's harder to hit moving targets with a slow firing weapon, but most low fire rate weapons do more damage per second. Make a choice based on how skilful you are and remember to practice.

Realistic Damage Per Second
If a weapon setup gives you 6000 damage per second but the refire rate is only 2.00, only half your shots may ever hit the target, giving you a realistic damage per second of 3000.

An 8.33 setup causing 5000 damage per second may hit most of the time, causing roughly 4000 damage per second.. even though it looked worse on paper.
So think about what fire rate you can fight better with and remember that calculators are your friend.

Different Fire Rates
If your setup has weapons with different fire rates, you should practice with it until you feel you have the best shooting accuracy, as different speeds make it more difficult to shoot accurately while moving your aim around.

Chilli: "Use weapon groups and fire rates to get the best setup. For example a 4.00 pulse group switching to an 8.33 hull destroyer group.."

Different Shot Speeds
If your setup has different projectile speeds, your aiming reticle will not be entirely accurate.
Slower shots will fall short of a moving target, while faster shots will be infront. You have to get a feel of where the most shots will land by practising until you are confident.

The Math Part
Notice below that the Laser weapon would have 242 damage per second (8.33 x 29), so three of those would do 726 hull damage per second.
With the 8.33 fire rate, the hit percentage could be as high as 80% (eight out of ten shots hitting) giving a realistic damage per second of 580.

"Drail" Laser Weapon	"Lavablade Mk2" Plasma Weapon

The Plasma weapon does 298 damage per second (2 x 149), or 894 hull damage per second for a ship setup with three of those weapons.
With a 2.00 fire rate the hit percentage might only be 60% (six out of ten shots hitting), a realistic damage per second of 536
So we see that despite the lavablade looking better on paper, it is not as effective in the hands of an average player, so it is better suited to more skilled players.

Last-Minute Tips
Remember, a target is harder to hit when it is moving across your screen. You get the best accuracy while your opponent is facing toward or away from you.

For the most accurate aiming cross, get weapons with all the same projectile speeds. If you can't, then make sure they are as close as possible or there are as few non-matching guns as possible.

Higher refire rates give you more chance of hitting with each shot, but less damage per second, think before you buy.

Check your weapon statistics carefully before you buy them, and make sure you think about realistic damage per second and the best fire rate for your fighting style.