Most likely among the list of aspects neglected by newer pilots, the power settings can allow a person an advantage in a dogfight when used and managed properly. As most pilots should be familiar with, power levels affect how your lasers, shields, and any beam weapons charge; and inversely, how rapidly they deplete a stored charge when in use. They also affect the power output of your engines. This affects your velocity at full throttle and your maneuverability maximum at thirty-three percent (33%) throttle. The maneuverability maximum increases as the engine power output level increases. One can infer from this that the maneuverability maximum reaches its apex when the engine is at maximum power output. That is, all recharge energy to engines. While this may be "ideal", a pilot is left without any power to fire lasers. Because of this dilemma, the pilot must seek a solution which balances the two aspects.
When seeking a solution, a pilot needs to take in several factors for each power setting; that is lasers, shields, and beam - the latter two being dependent on if they exist in the craft). The pilot needs to consider the following when setting the power levels for the various items:
By doing the above, a pilot is attempting to redirect minimal power to non-propulsion systems, allowing his craft to have a greater maximum speed and thus maneuverability maximum.
It is most desirable that combat conditions do not change during combat, thus allowing a pilot to set his power settings and not worry about them throughout combat. Unfortunately, this is not how combat often unfolds. As a pilot needs to be alert, he also needs to be able to adapt quickly. When a pilot is forced to adjust his power levels, he should not need to cycle through the various settings. This is where the pre-set power configurations come into play. Though there are only two settings, those are often all a pilot will need. Those settings should be for normal combat power needs and heavier combat needs. While there is no set definition for the two levels, it is my general preference to define them as follows:
Normal Combat: Combat situations where the pilot does not need to steadily and constantly fire the laser cannons, or where the pilot has little need to direct power to his shields as he isn't taking many hits. In these situations, the pilot should be able to maintain shield integrity by redirecting power from the laser system to the shield system. This effect of this diversion of power on the pilot's combat capabilities should be nominal.
Heavy Combat: Combat situations where the pilot has to steadily and constantly fire the laser cannons, draining power from them; or where the pilot is unable to evade hostile fire and take the hits on his shields. In these situations, the pilot will need to increase the amount of power dedicated to maintaining laser power and shield integrity.
To configure a power pre-set, manually set the power levels and then store them in either [F11] or [F12] by holding [Shift] and selecting either [F11] or [F12]. Once the pre-sets have been configured, the pilot needs simply press [F11] or [F12] to load the respective configuration. This is useful in a dogfight, as the pilot need only press a single button as opposed to multiple buttons, multiple times. This allows the pilot to focus on flying and not changing his power levels. As you fly combat missions, you will eventually find what works the most for you. You will need to experiment with different configurations to see what you are most comfortable with. It is important to keep in mind that you will most likely use different power levels in different craft due to variations in the power distribution systems.