Problem w/ airbrakes and side-shifts

[asdfffdsa]

The only ship I use is Piranha and the only speed class I play is Phantom. This means that almost the entirety of my play is based on airbrakes and side-shifts, and even then it seems there are some corners that are just impossible to make (e.g. the second turn on chenghou project forward, but I've come to accept this latter fact).

The problem I'm having is that in order to effectively use airbrakes, I need high precision adjustments, and this means tapping the airbrakes. Of course, tapping the airbrakes will incite a side-shift--often accidentally, and then I eat the guard rail.

I'm guessing not, but is there any way to assign side-shifts to a different button?

In any case, any other players share this frustration?

[trackripper]

Yes, I suffer from accidental sideshifts through a corner sometimes and it does result in me eating concrete...
As far as I know of though, in the controls menu, there simply isn't a seperate button for sideshifts, it's always done through double tapping air-brakes, so I think you're out of luck.

Though, if you're merely tapping the airbrakes for adjustments, surely the steering would do that too if you held each correction for slightly longer and only occasionally used airbrakes?

[R3BU5ER]

No, you can't. But maybe trying to change the button-sensitivity can help. Because accidental side-shifts happen more often when your sensitivity is too high. But remember, on phantom class, especially in a piranha al the airbrake/steer/sideshifts should be made just before the actual corner, otherwise you will be too late and will crash into the wall. I don't know for how long you already play, but you will see that you will have to move before the moment is there!

[amplificated]

Can't change the airbrakes acting as sideshifts, sorry.

It happens to everyone, but there are levels of coping with it. Just getting used to the game minimises chances of it occurring. Ultimately though, the problem exists in the fundamental control scheme, and it will rear up at the most inopportune times such as in the middle of a good speed lap... and the only thing you can do is curse the game.

Also, as I'm the judgmental type, I'll just say I think that using a piranha is probably not the best idea, especially at phantom. There are better ships.

[Colonel]

I'd have to agree with amp regarding the piranha, but to each their own.

[asdfffdsa]

By "better ships," do you mean that the Piranha is simply difficult to use (but still competitive)? Or do you mean it's fundamentally gimped in the phantom class?

edit: Btw, just to clarify, I am relatively new to Wipeout HD. I was originally big into the game in 2009 for a few months, but then an unfortunate internet situation left me unable to play (americuhh). Now that's been (somewhat) resolved and I hope to get back into it.

[Colonel]

My point of view is that the Piranha's handling is so poor that it's almost unusable at Phantom. But I'm pretty poor at Phantom anyway.

[Archon]

There is no need to tap the airbrake multiple times through most turns. It is always a compromise between holding the brake through the beginning of the turn or pulling the brake gently and then sideshifting (a lot of turns require a quick brake, then a sideshift).

For chicanes (let's use the chicane out of the tunnel at the beginning of Ubermall Reverse as an example), you'll want to brake toward the turn (right), then brake very gently to the left and sideshift. It's like weaving. In Sol 2 toward the end of the lap, the turn before the drop (where you can barrel roll) requires you to hug the inside, gently airbrake right once, then a second time, and then side shift right.

Racing lines are about minimizing commands, minimizing braking and turning. Sideshifts are a way to "cheat" the line by either not having to turn or not needing to airbrake as hard or for as long. Look at your lines and see where you're getting accidental sideshifts. See if you can brake heavy once or twice instead of braking lightly four or five times. Or, see if you can replace airbraking entirely with one well-placed sideshift. I have my airbrake sensitivity down to 40%. I started playing at 60% and will even kick it down to 30% for Zone. I noticed I was braking at times when it wasn't needed at all. Where I was shaking back and forth and kept tapping left and right to adjust my alignment, I developed a much straighter line and did away with those "fine tunings." Go into Speed Lap and see where you can trim the fat off your line; less braking, more even braking, sideshifting on straightaways, and following the proper racing line through wide turns rather than hugging the inside and tapping the airbrake all the way through.

Also, there are no points for doing well "for your ship", so I don't see the point unless you're absolutely confident that you don't want to change

If I can snag a competitive time with Harimau while the top 50 is a wall of Icaras, I'll call that a victory. FOR NATURE!