Gunship - what's the difference between hitting 'r' and getting rotational thrusters?

[tintin_milou]

Newbie gunship pilot here,

 

So if someone shots you, then hitting 'r' turns your ship to face that enemy, right? Does getting rotational thrusters make my ship turn faster? Thanks for your help!

[Sportiva]

Yes, rotational thrusters turn you almost instantly.

 

I was using rotational but I just switched to the engine (don't remember name) that increases your speed and reduces the speed of nearby enemies. I think it is a better choice for survivability. You lose the missile evasion effect with this engine, but if you pick up Distortion Field shields you'll get an evade ability with that.

[Lurtzello]

Newbie gunship pilot here,

 

So if someone shots you, then hitting 'r' turns your ship to face that enemy, right? Does getting rotational thrusters make my ship turn faster? Thanks for your help!

As far as I know, hitting "R" only targets (selects) the last enemies that hit you, it doesn't actually rotate the spaceship, which is something you have to do manually.

Rotational Thrusters rotate the Gunship quickly and automatically towards the enemy you have targeted (which may be the last one that hit you or any other of your choice).

[tintin_milou]

Ah, now it makes sense! Thanks so so so much for your help!

[Luneward]

"Quickly turn' is a relative term in my opinion... the problem I find with rotational thrusters is your opponent is often trying to circle around you. So even if you turn toward your opponent... they often aren't even there any more.