Thargoid invasion - Next target systems?

[Phill P]

The one week list on DCoH is hardly progressing, as the user experience for evacuating injured really sucks, I question myself after a few runs everytime

It all sounds like stating the obvious to put it like this but from our data and observations it does seem that the war machine as a whole behaves more or less the way you would expect it to, in general terms.

Invasion Systems in their last week are the hardest to clear as there is only one damaged station left and activities are limited. AX CZs are gone so there is little to no AX to speak of and Deliveries are gone as well, so all that is left to do are Passengers and Critically Wounded.

Critically Wounded move the bar faster than Passengers but it is not possible at this time to determine whether it is simply because you can take more missions and numbers per trip or whether their status also has an effect. The Passenger Board barely changes as the station state goes from unattacked->attacked->damaged but with each state the Injured become Wounded then Critically Wounded and increase in number. In the absence of any other information or methodology it therefore seems logical that to effect the largest change we address the largest change.

In Alert systems we have observed that Deliveries work faster than Rescues, which fits in with the idea that Buur related from fdev in his video at the start of the war, that Rescues in an Alert system would be considered pre-emptive and given less weight than in an Invasion system. Our observations bear this out. Rescues do work in Alert systems with enough numbers thrown at them but far more slowly. This makes logical sense as well, if a system is under threat of invasion you don't evacuate everyone and let the enemy move in, you get a few people out like the vulnerable then bolster the defences to fight off the Invasion and make sure they have plenty of supplies.

Invasion Systems where all three activities can be performed simultaneously - AX, Deliveries, Rescues - are the fastest to clear, as we saw with Muchihiks and HIP 8525. Again, sounds obvious but it's borne out by how fast those two systems were finished.

Meanwhile regardless of what anybody does the Thargoids are moving into several systems a week, going from 245 occupied systems to 329. Less like BGS and more like Powerplay.

 

[Bigmaec]

@xylaki, see above!

A strong burst of progress has pushed the top 12 systems back up to a projected 1284%, well over the completion threshold to include HIP 7338. Technically the top 13 systems have a projected 1314% to include Mapon, however this is both quite slim and also split unfavourably between 874% Invasion and 441% Alert, so I consider the course set for 12 systems.

70 Tauri (90%) is to finish tonight, the Alerts at HIP 26688 and Huile have heavy effort pushing both to around 80%, and Scythia rejoins the fight! Several systems should soon complete in quick succession, so it will be of extra importance that Commanders know their next targets throughout.

Top targets at 01:20 2nd January 3309:
70 Tauri Invasion + 2 ports – 90%
HIP 26688 Alert – 80%
Huile Alert – 78%
Bi Dhorora Invasion + 1 port – 74%
Gliese 9035 Invasion + 3 ports – 62%
Gabia Alert – 52%
Kaurukat Invasion + 1 port – 40%
Marindhs Invasion + 0 ports – 36%
HIP 22524 Invasion + 2 ports – 28%
Nihal Alert – 26%
HIP 7338 Invasion + 1 port – 22%

Did AXI give up their efforts at controlled systems?

 

[Phill P]

Did AXI give up their efforts at controlled systems?

I think they gave it a go and found it not impossible but still stupidly hard to do, which is concerning with all those uninhabited systems the Thargs are taking over.

 

[Felix DiCestria]

Did AXI give up their efforts at controlled systems?

In effect yes, they tried one at Taranis but only got it to 8% IIRC so decided to concentrate on invasions after that.

 

[Aleks Zuno]

Victory in 70 Tauri, eventually! Many relocated after it reached 90%, leaving only a few to see it to the finish, where I hope my new conflict-support Krait 2 helped a little.

Progress has been storming ahead today, this Empire Day of course, with much in the appropriately Imperial system Bi Dhorora (90%). Along with Gliese 9035 (80%) and the HIP 26688 (96%) and Huile (90%) Alerts, and notwithstanding people relocating early, we should see those four additional completions before the 5-day mark. The projection is still around 11–12 with HIP 7338 likely to miss out. We also have a little more Controlled activity in Hyades Sector GW-M b7-5 (4%), and some new Controlled activity in 78 Theta-2 Tauri.

Report
HIP 19198, 70 Tauri defended from Invasion.

Targets updated at 18:40 2nd January 3309
HIP 26688 Alert – 96%
Bi Dhorora Invasion + 1 port – 90%
Huile Alert – 90%
Gliese 9035 Invasion + 3 ports – 80%
Gabia Alert – 62%
Marindhs Invasion + 0 ports – 58%
Kaurukat Invasion + 1 port – 48%
HIP 22524 Invasion + 2 ports – 36%
Nihal Alert – 30%
HIP 7338 Invasion + 1 port – 24%

In effect yes, they tried one at Taranis but only got it to 8% IIRC so decided to concentrate on invasions after that.

Indeed; that 8% was at HR 1737 last cycle. I think we have enough involved to be able to do it, but only following a large conversion to combat, and likely not from any individual group or faction. Commanders will also need to attack those systems in Wings equipped to deal with more than just the Interceptors, or at least drop at known navigation points to meet up.

Observing Interceptor encounters in Open, I see another problem as well—many Commanders either cannot or will not strike the petals, and instead continue to strike the main hull and ultimately provoke another shield. Anyone can see this any time an Interceptor has an angry petal but somehow also has a shield, which unfortunately is not great for Invasion systems and will not do in Controlled systems. We need these Commanders, though!

I know not how to achieve it, but I am quite sure that amending that behaviour would both accelerate Invasion systems and also bring Controlled systems into scope. With a Xeno Scanner in the Krait 2, I can see that the damage sometimes overwhelms a Cyclops into dying despite using an extra shield. I would be equally happy if said Commanders learn to provoke the lightning then do it at that moment.

 

[Cori]

Yay, my first successful AX excursion, to Bi Dhorora.

(We, uh, won't talk about the previous attempts.)

 

[Aleks Zuno]

Victory in Bi Dhorora, HIP 26688 and Huile!

For the time being, the top targets snippet will also be what can be expected reasonably to complete this cycle if the progress levels are maintained. Always remember that the trailing systems may self-defeat if they have a too big deficit by Wednesday.

Top targets at 02:20 3rd January 3309:
Gliese 9035 Invasion + 3 ports – 90%
Gabia Alert – 70%
Marindhs Invasion + 0 ports – 70%
Kaurukat Invasion + 1 port – 52%
HIP 22524 Invasion + 2 ports – 44%
Nihal Alert – 38%
HIP 7338 Invasion + 1 port – 24%

Yay, my first successful AX excursion, to Bi Dhorora.

Congratulations! It is quite nice to see a steady group of Imperial pilots keeping M. Hadad occupied—and to secure that victory on none other than Empire Day, of course!

 

[Reaversword]

Personally, I've been testing azimuth modified ax guardian weapons (and doing a lot of guardians to get weapon guardian blueprints), trying to be a better interceptor fighter, but I'm not happy with the results.

To hear antiXenoInitiative desisted with controlled systems makes me think we're lost.

I would love to try in wings (several wings), some T10s dealing with scouts / recovering shields with regenerator lasers mod and 7A rated repair limpets, some cold orbiters doing damage, some big vessels making huge damage.

But that won't happen. I usually play alone because I have not a fixed hour to play and can't compromise a time to play with others.

The only option I see now is -how not-, to farm materials and explore premium ammo.
With usual ammo I'm unable to exert an Hydra petal.

Or we are able to act as a single entity in controlled systems, or we are lost.


So, obviously, we're lost.

 

[Reaversword]

Has Fdev revealed if all we need to destroy a Maelstrom is yet in the game?, Or if it is impossible to destroy them right now?

I mean, is a matter of keep researching/testing inside maelstroms to find the way? Or is currently a waste of time and they are waiting the Thargoids gain some systems more, spread a little bit more to give us the tools (in community goals I guess) to be able to access inside the maelstrom core and destroy them?

Has anybody checked/researched all the maelstroms searching for differences or find hints/clues to know how to destroy them?

I've explored only Taranis...

 

[PatentlyObvious]

Observing Interceptor encounters in Open, I see another problem as well—many Commanders either cannot or will not strike the petals, and instead continue to strike the main hull and ultimately provoke another shield. Anyone can see this any time an Interceptor has an angry petal but somehow also has a shield, which unfortunately is not great for Invasion systems and will not do in Controlled systems. We need these Commanders, though!

Hello, this is me, new to AX, in a semi-engineered Krait, with three large gimballed AX enhanced multicannon and no AX scanner (can't use it reliably in combat and need the extra heatsinks). I've been joining in on laying down fire on Interceptors around stations as a bit of variety from swatting Scouts, on the basis that another mosquito buzzing around the Interceptor and annoying it will draw its fire and give the chaps with the more effective weapons a bit of respite. Do I take it that I am actually being unhelpful, and is there something else that I can be doing apart from swatting Scouts and otherwise keeping out of the way for those with the right tools for the job?

 

[Jack Winter]

I don't think so, keep the instance free of scouts, tag the interceptor with some potshots before it's destroyed, and if you want to you could practice how to take out the swarms (if present).

 

[St0rmFury]

Has Fdev revealed if all we need to destroy a Maelstrom is yet in the game?, Or if it is impossible to destroy them right now?

I mean, is a matter of keep researching/testing inside maelstroms to find the way? Or is currently a waste of time and they are waiting the Thargoids gain some systems more, spread a little bit more to give us the tools (in community goals I guess) to be able to access inside the maelstrom core and destroy them?

Has anybody checked/researched all the maelstroms searching for differences or find hints/clues to know how to destroy them?

I've explored only Taranis...

Nope, this is where FDev controls the narrative. My guess when FDev decides to move to the next phase of the story, Palin or Ram Tah will discover a use for the grelics and there will be a CG to mass produce new modules to resist or nullify the maelstrom corrosive effects.

 

[Aleks Zuno]

Victory in Gliese 9035! Gabia (94%) and Marindhs (88%) soon to finish, and we have new empty system Alert activities in 68 Tauri and Trianguli Sector EQ-Y b2. To be sure, all Controlled activity has been in empty systems thus far, though it would be as well to start making the distinction.

We are still hovering around a 12-system forecast, however please treat it as barely 8 Invasions plus barely 4 Alerts, insofar as both could slip to 7 and 3 respectively. For those willing to switch from Invasion to Alert, either by means of cargo delivery or by seeking encounters at signal sources, I recommend placing Nihal before HIP 7338. That is not to abandon HIP 7338 necessarily; both are still possible, but given their difference it is simply wiser to secure Nihal first.

In an Alert system, remember that combat pilots can drop at:

• AX weapons fire, for an encounter with some Scouts.
• AX ship signatures, for some Scouts followed by 1–2 Interceptors.
• Non-human signal source, for various Scout and Interceptor encounters including the Orthrus at Threat 4.

The Orthrus can be destroyed by using Enhanced AX Missiles and stabbing to help deplete the shield. Mind that any modules such as a Guardian FSD Booster will need repairing afterwards, and please do not attempt to use a Guardian Hybrid Power Plant.

Top targets at 19:20 3rd January 3309:
Gabia Alert – 94%
Marindhs Invasion + 0 ports – 88%
Kaurukat Invasion + 1 port – 60%
HIP 22524 Invasion + 2 ports – 54%
Nihal Alert – 46%
HIP 7338 Invasion + 1 port – 32%


@Reaversword – Without even having to worry about the minutiae of Controlled systems, a simple subtraction would tell anyone that far more systems are entering war-related states than leaving. That said, please review the recent GalNet article, for you spoke a moment too soon!

Hello, this is me, new to AX, in a semi-engineered Krait, with three large gimballed AX enhanced multicannon and no AX scanner (can't use it reliably in combat and need the extra heatsinks). I've been joining in on laying down fire on Interceptors around stations as a bit of variety from swatting Scouts, on the basis that another mosquito buzzing around the Interceptor and annoying it will draw its fire and give the chaps with the more effective weapons a bit of respite. Do I take it that I am actually being unhelpful, and is there something else that I can be doing apart from swatting Scouts and otherwise keeping out of the way for those with the right tools for the job?

With the E.A.X. Multi-cannons, you will at least not be causing the problem I mentioned, which is great news for you! You can help a bit against a Cyclops by striking the angry petal when it appears; despite dealing relatively little hull damage to Interceptors due to their low Piercing, your weapons can chip away at a Cyclops petal well enough. You would see their effect if you had the Xeno scanner, in addition to gaining the ability to sub-target a petal. I have not used the E.A.X. Multi-cannons against a Basilisk or Medusa, however I can confirm personally that they are all but useless against a Hydra.

If you manage to draw Interceptor attention that way, it can be helpful as long as you are orbiting sanely and such that others have a reasonable aim at it, rather than leading it away somewhere at full speed. If orbiting an Interceptor is the reason you use so many Heat sinks, consider investing in a Gimballed Beam Laser with Thermal Vent instead—normally the purpose of Heat sinks is so that one can unload Gauss strikes while keeping heat below 20%, without which the Thermal Vent will suffice.

The other non-Scout action is to help reduce the Swarm size by using a Remote-Release Flak Launcher, which may be welcome against the larger Interceptors if each petal is taking a while to destroy. I find this easiest if the Swarm is chasing me, where leading it just a bit will result in a hit at the cusp of its trajectory change, though I have also delivered a good few hits from the side while it was chasing something else (leading it fully in that case). I find it nearly impossible to strike a swarm from behind, because the Flak shot speed is too slow. Remember that the total Swarm threat is lowest if you leave only a few remaining rather than destroying it completely.

Nope, this is where FDev controls the narrative. My guess when FDev decides to move to the next phase of the story, Palin or Ram Tah will discover a use for the grelics and there will be a CG to mass produce new modules to resist or nullify the maelstrom corrosive effects.

Incrementally, this is very much the case!

 

[Aleks Zuno]

Victories in Gabia and Marindhs! It is the final day of this cycle, however Kaurukat (74%), HIP 22524 (66%) are well within the Invasion scope, and Nihal (60%) is moderately within the Alert scope. Patollu (26%) saw an interesting surge which really we could have used at HIP 7338 (38%) instead, and HIP 19894 joins the fight!

The projection is falling just short for including HIP 7338, being only 791% for the top eight Invasion systems, so it could be completed but will need a bit of help. The Alert effort is just about fine projecting 420% for the top four Alert systems.

Top targets at 08:00 4th January 3309:
Kaurukat Invasion + 1 port – 74%
HIP 22524 Invasion + 2 ports – 66%
Nihal Alert – 60%
HIP 7338 Invasion + 1 port – 38%

 

[Cori]

I was in Kaurukat last night; however, it seemed like things were bugging out again. Invisible, teleporting interceptors in one instance, followed in the next instance by a conflict zone that just never ended.

 

[Ned Flandalorian]

I was in Kaurukat last night; however, it seemed like things were bugging out again. Invisible, teleporting interceptors in one instance, followed in the next instance by a conflict zone that just never ended.

It's more about who you play with rather than where you fight (any CZs around starports should be avoided though...)

 

[Leadfoot]

I was in Kaurukat last night; however, it seemed like things were bugging out again. Invisible, teleporting interceptors in one instance, followed in the next instance by a conflict zone that just never ended.

Same for HIP 22524, never-ending CZ where the progress bar never seemed to get anywhere. I finally gave up at bedtime as I ran out of decontamination limpets and my trigger finger started to cramp up.

 

[Aleks Zuno]

Kaurukat (88%) closing soon and HIP 22524 (70%) should follow, though please note that the Invasion momentum has already dropped ahead of the end of the cycle. HIP 22524 is 7th in the Invasion completion with the top 7 projecting 720%, which will be a relatively late finish but comfortable enough if Commanders see it through. I cannot recommend trying to salvage HIP 7338, and for some reason Camenisar joins the fight!

On the Alert front, Nihal is poised to complete, but only barely. Remember—E.A.X. Missiles with moderately decent hull, shields and speed can turn every Threat 4 non-human signal source into a dead Orthrus and a 30 million credit payout. Strangely, another empty Alert system 58 Tauri has joined the fight!

Top targets at 19:00 4th January 3309:
Kaurukat Invasion + 1 port – 88%
HIP 22524 Invasion + 2 ports – 70%
Nihal Alert – 68%
HIP 7338 Invasion + 1 port – 42%

 

[CMDR Aldebaran]

Anyone care to help me with Nihal? I've been plugging away most of the day doing supply missions.. that bar is moving oh so slowly.. (and i'll have to call it a day soon)

 

[Kayvan]

Kaurukat is almost complete, I guess 98% or so rn.
Unfo HIP 22524 is too far away for me to get there and fight before bedtime.
Best of luck to everyone out there