Basic Piloting
Setting Up the Controls
Setting up your controls is a personal choice - do what feels best to you when you customize them. Eventually you will feel just right with them. I will make a few suggestions for you to try. I use the mouse for targeting/turret or arm control. I put the main fire button and zoom on the mouse. This way I can fire or lock in targets with one hand. I use my Joystick in my left hand to steer the mech and control speed. If I want to go forward I push the stick up. The more I push the faster it goes. To go back I just pull back. Left and right are obvious. I have Joystick buttons for JumpJets, Cycle Weapon Groups, Cycle targets, and toggle enemy damage display.
The Need For Speed.
Speed does a few things for you. It makes you harder to hit and gets you where you are going faster. In most cases you need to be driving your mech at close to full throttle. If you are not, then you are wasting valuable tonnage putting that big of an engine on your mech. Learn to handle all mechs at top speed.
Turret and arm Control
You will need to learn to control the turret independently of steering the mech. I like the mouse for this but do as you wish. You will have to learn to run one way and look another for targeting. With practice and time this can be done. Notice how the mech in the picture below can turn to fire without changing direction.
Angle Of Attack
Never approach enemies head on. I don't like having to call your parents. This will get you killed in a hurry. Always approach at an angle (this makes it hard to accurately target you and very hard for missiles to hit you as well.) When approaching, swing your torso toward the enemy, but keep the mech moving at an angle. Occasionally glance back in front of you so you don't run into something. Like maybe your wingman or a salvo of missiles....
Circle OF Death (COD)
When good mech pilots fight, they always end up circling each other. This is called the "Circle Of Death" The two are circling each other with their torso's facing each other. The tighter turning mech has an advantage here. If the enemy pulls in behind you, you can kiss your sweet little behind goodbye. If you set up your controls properly, you can hit your reverse key and start moving backwards for just a second and then hit your reverse key again to start moving forward. This will cause your mech to make a very sharp turn towards the enemy mech and will allow you to continually target him. Jump jets can also be used to help maneuver but while in the air you are vulnerable (your ability to move sideward is non-existent), so learn to use jump jets wisely.
Jump Twisting
When running on the ground you start into a turn and then jump. But continue to try to turn, the mech will continue to turn in the air, this can put you into a good firing position, or take you out of the enemies sights. Another advantage of the jump is that it allows you to get a better head shot on an enemy mech, and therefore a faster kill.
These are the basics of piloting a mech. They are easy to say but harder to master. Continue to practice and eventually you will know them all.