These are the foundations of advanced mulitplayer tactics. Through these core skills great pilots emerge. Let's look at each one.
Movement is often overlooked by newbie pilots. They remain stationary, attempting to kill their opponent with "superior" aim. This tactic is terrible and often results in the death of the pilot who does not move erratically and decisively. It is advised to keep the opponent in your screen when on the approach, but do not fly directly at him. This greatly decreases the chances of him shooting you down. Continuously changing your pattern of movement will inhibit your opponents ability to guess your movements. It will prevent you from becoming predictable. Finally, moving during your match will help you to develop a quick reaction time allowing you to quickly set your sights on a new target. With enough practice you'll be even capable of evading enemy lasers on purpose unless he's near!
Closely related with evasion, speed enables you to remain a tough target to hit, and allows you to gain a more favorable position on your opponent. Speed is critical in most situations, that's why it's a good idea to keep your laser recharge set at 50% and shields at 0% to ensure maximum speed and maneuverability. Letting your shields drop gradually is a good trade-off for the amount of speed you gain. Furthermore, you should never cut to 1/3 engines in a 2v2 (in 1v1s is a MUST on the dogfight), even when faced with only one opponent at the moment. All too often a pilot will get surprised and vaporized from an opponent who easily snuck up behind him. Be mindful of this.
It's remarkable how short a time it takes to kill or be killed in a multiplayer match. This is why you need to be precise and decisive in your actions. Try for "one shot, one kill", rather than "spray 'n' pray." You do not want to lose your most powerful laser charge, because charging them up will decrease your speed and maneuverability. Undoubtedly the ability to quickly paint your opponent with your reticule will improve your chances at one good shot and a good kill. Lead is something that comes with practice, and once you master the intricacies of lead, you will become a better player.
( Note from Zósite: just a suggestion. Try using single laser spraying if flying TIE Fighters on your opponent's host with great lag upon you. Don't aim where he seems to be though, but at his close surroundings. It works, I tell you, as you will not only have more chanches to hit him but also will prevent him of having accurate aiming at you unless he wants to pass through your rapid lasers curtain. Thus it will also help you to avoid the lag disadvantage a little. BUT use it ONLY with this ship and under these conditions. Otherwise your opponent will fry you first and laugh at you for acting like a n00b later. )
Perhaps a little redundant, but it's essential to hone your skill in aiming quickly. You can not take multiple seconds to line up your shot because any hesitation will most likely kill you when facing a skilled opponent. Learn to fly fast and shoot straight, as the popular multiplayer saying goes.
Probably the most important part to becoming a good pilot. ( from Zósite: I definitely must agree.) Through practice, you will grow better quickly, especially in the presence of good pilots who can train you. Personally, when I began my career in the EH and at WoWs, my stats were terrible. But over the 3+ years I've been flying, I've gotten progressively better to the point that I am at now. Never give up, even the greatest pilots ever had to start somewhere.
Through practice you will gain experience. Experience will help you to identify enemy tactics, react, and triumph over them. Experience will also help you to motivate a wingmate, deal quickly with the various mediums of game connection, and teach others how to play and become better. Experience will teach you that the lag is ALWAYS upon everybody, not only you, unless playing on a LAN; so it's wiser to stop bitching about your connection and luck on a given day and start figuring out how to deal with it, as with the TIE Fighter "single lasers" behaviour explained above. Fly or NOT fly, but don't keep whining after... pleeeeeease :-P
The next section will introduce you to many tactics devised to deal with certain types of situations, and later we will examine a couple specific tactical situations and determine the best course of action.