Like many new pilots, I knew from the outset that I wanted to pvp. In fact, I pvp in any computer game I play, as destroying computer generated enemies gets old fast.
Looking around the web, everyone seems to have an opinion about how to get into pvp. Most advice is to join some kind of organisation (Faction Warfare, Red v Blue, pvp corp, etc) and learn from those who already know the ropes.
The trouble is, it is very difficult to tell the good pvpers from the hacks without being good at pvp yourself. And even good pvpers may not actually be good at teaching, which is an altogether different skill.
Also, I learn by doing. I can read advice (like how to use the D-Scanner) many times, but it's only after I actually do it (over, and over again) that I actually get it. And getting it is key to pvp in any game. The pilot that wins in a novel situation is not the pilot that has memorised habits and reactions - that's called drill and is useful in coordinating large groups - but the one that understands the fundamental principles governing the conflict.
So I am going to learn by doing. I've bought myself 20 Punishers, and I'm going to loose them all.
Every. Single. One.
And after each loss, I'm going to reflect on what I did wrong, and what I could have done better.
It's not much of a plan - but it's the one I've got.
