Titan poking for the Unengineered

[Ralph Vargr]

And dying is the fastest way back to re-arm anyway!

this scares me...

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Just did this on my alt account using a diamondback scout, with very minimal engineering. Build here https://s.orbis.zone/qH2Q
This ship cost just over 6 million. I wanted to see if it was doable in a small cheap ship, it is.
Main reason I chose this ship is, it's known for running very cold, which keeps the thargoids from noticing you, also explains the g1 armoured power plant with thermal. Low Emissions engineering would have been even better but I had this one lying around.
Minimum specs for a ship seem to be 2 medium hard points, and boost speed over 500ms.

I've done this on 2 accounts now, by FAR the hardest part is getting TO the titan through the caustic cloud.
1. head for the red centre of the cloud, IGNORE the target that jumps around. When the pulse comes, the centre of the pulse is where the titan is.
2. as Valorin said above - "The Pulse: The Titan will make noise, then charge up a pulse that will kick you out again and mess up your ship. The charge-up takes a bit, the cloud becomes whitish. ALL PIPS ON SYS and press the keybind for the pulse neutraliser and HOLD IT DOWN as soon as the wave triggers. NOT BEFORE or your SYS power will run out." this is KEY, once you master this, the rest is pretty easy.

I died on the way out, due to caustic damage and running out of caustic heat sinks. I didn't have mats to synthesize more. I used 3 paired sinks on the way in. In retrospect I would have been better off using only 2 pairs on the way in, and taking some damage, then pausing to use my repair limpets once at the asteroids, where there is no more caustic damage.
I still got the credit for the CG, even though I died, because I successfully damaged the "pineapple". so only a couple hundred thousand credits lost, well worth it.

My DBX thanks you for it's new purpose in life.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Caustic will eat everything until the ship implodes. Carrying a xeno limpet controller will provide caustic limpets, which reduces reliance on caustic sinks. It's a size 3, so easy to fit in a lot of ships.

Size 3 slots are very handy.

 

[Tifu]

this scares me...

Same. The thing with this whole resurrection thing is - assuming it becomes true one day - how are you sure it's still you once you wake up? ( Play the Body Snatchers remake theme here)

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Same. The thing with this whole resurrection thing is - assuming it becomes true one day - how are you sure it's still you once you wake up? ( Play the Body Snatchers remake theme here)

See: Gold Cross in Car Wars...

 

[Ralph Vargr]

OK, I have built a poor copy of the DBX. Not very engineered (G3 or so). Not very fast. Just suicidal.

Got lots of the AX weapons for the Krait 2, when it will be needed.

I'll try a run, after I have napped a bit....

 

[CMDR_Halceon]

Thanks for this! I've avoided Thargoid content in the past because reading about it made it appear too complicated for a way too casual player, but with the supplies from the rescue ship (and admittedly one grade 5 engineered thruster and one grade 5 efficient power plant I had on hand) I made it through and struck my blow for humanity. It was exciting, especially when I got caustic sink and heatsink binds flipped, but I made it without blowing up, and it was fun! I wouldn't have tried without this post.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Ouch

 

[Valorin]

Ouch
View attachment 411623

Yeaaah. You're bound to see this a few times. Part of the process. No one said it's easy. Rewards wouldn't be so good if it was easy.

BUT it gets easier. I think what makes the caustic field so hard, is the multitasking. You need to boost all the time, purge caustic before it contaminates you while boosting on, then put pips to sys while boosting, get the timing right for the pulse while still boosting (don't forget caustic sink) and, right! Boost!
If you forget to boost, caustic will most likely kill you.

 

[Tifu]

BUT it gets easier. I think what makes the caustic field so hard, is the multitasking. You need to boost all the time, purge caustic before it contaminates you while boosting on, then put pips to sys while boosting, get the timing right for the pulse while still boosting (don't forget caustic sink) and, right! Boost!
If you forget to boost, caustic will most likely kill you.

I guess this is what you need the speed for, not to run from the Thargoids but to escape the caustic field asap.

 

[Valorin]

I guess this is what you need the speed for, not to run from the Thargoids but to escape the caustic field asap.

Yeah. I found the approach the hardest part until I made it two times, and then it got easy. I'm in a through and through engineered stealth bomber and messed up the approach, I think 4 times in a row. I went as far as putting two high capacity caustic launchers on my ship, but now I make the run with barely using up a normal one.

So practice is definitely a high factor. Lower speed makes it harder, but still, it's not as unbeatable as it seems. Also, I heard from more unengineered people who made it by now.
You can definitely do it!

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Yeaaah. You're bound to see this a few times. Part of the process. No one said it's easy. Rewards wouldn't be so good if it was easy.

BUT it gets easier. I think what makes the caustic field so hard, is the multitasking. You need to boost all the time, purge caustic before it contaminates you while boosting on, then put pips to sys while boosting, get the timing right for the pulse while still boosting (don't forget caustic sink) and, right! Boost!
If you forget to boost, caustic will most likely kill you.

I loathe caustic...

 

[Ralph Vargr]

I guess this is what you need the speed for, not to run from the Thargoids but to escape the caustic field asap.

At sea level, I used to move at 479 m/sec (fixed intake). 500 m/sec is the recommended velocity for running from Thargoids. This is an eye-popping velocity for human reaction times. Dodging the mines is a challenge. If it's 200 km to the center of the cloud, that's 400 seconds of exposure. Just how far out does the cloud go?

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Had a look at the AX Krait for ARX. Wow. Also, the Rescue Python. Far better than the pitiful efforts of my shipbuilding...

 

[Tifu]

At sea level, I used to move at 479 m/sec (fixed intake). 500 m/sec is the recommended velocity for running from Thargoids. This is an eye-popping velocity for human reaction times. Dodging the mines is a challenge. If it's 200 km to the center of the cloud, that's 400 seconds of exposure. Just how far out does the cloud go?

I'm beginning to wonder if I'll be better off with some turreted enhanced AX MC's just to get rid of the mines. Pretty sure PDTs are useless against them as those can't even take care of Thargoid limpets and missiles.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

I'm beginning to wonder if I'll be better off with some turreted enhanced AX MC's just to get rid of the mines. Pretty sure PDTs are useless against them as those can't even take care of Thargoid limpets and missiles.

I got lots of them (AX MC's) at the rescue megaship. Point defense is great for anything other than AX.

The Rescue Python, with all it's engineering, looks to be a pretty good ship. It boosts at 454 m/sec. It could easily be outfitted for AX Bombing. It could then be returned to civilian use, with all that engineering.

The AX Krait boosts at 464 m/sec, and has double the hull (1,800) of the Python, and prismatic shields. However, it's strictly a one purpose ship, which limits it's appeal to me. And, I already have a Krait.

 

[mtfatboy3006]

So, first things first: it is possible. I saw it happen yesterday.

Second: I'm totally new to Titan bombing and Thargoid fighting, but I have 9 years of flying under my belt. The player I saw getting through yesterday was a newer player in an unengineered Krait. and in our group of three.

That said, I think this is made for experienced players with engineered ships. Like the raid-tier of Elite. So don't get frustrated if you need many tries. I don't think Titan runs are intended for newer players.

I won't give you an extensive guide here but just rough outlines and essentials, because others can do that better, just let nobody tell you it's not possible.


Ship
I am almost sure others can make more refined recommendations, but if I didn't have access to engineering I'd probably take a combat ship with lots of utility slots for this, stuff it full of armour and a good shield.

• Take AX weapons or you won't be able to hurt the Titan, and the nanite torpedo pylon. You might have seen lasers around Thargoids, but that's a tool for venting heat and useless unengineered.
• Take caustic sinks, better two than one.
• Take the TG Pulse Neutraliser (and exactly that one, NOT the other one. It won't protect you!)
• Take as many heatsinks as you can carry.
• Recommendation from another post: if you have space take a xeno limpet controller. It's repair and caustic limpet controller in one. Do not use it during flight, but once you're at least safe at the asteroid field. See below. DON'T FORGET YOUR LIMPETS.

Set a comfortable keybind for the shutdown neutraliser. It will work for the TG one as well. Ship/Misc I think.
Collect materials for heatsink synthesis. It's relatively low tier. Best way to do this is finding High Grade Emissions and collect G5 material with a collector limpet, then trade at a material trader. If you don't know how to go about this, there's guides. It's not hard to do and can be done in a Sidewinder.


Approach
I think this was the hardest hurdle to tackle at first. For me at least. There's two lines of defence before reaching the Titan:

- Caustic field: you'll get CONSTANT caustic damage here, and there's caustic mines around which will hover towards you if you get close. Do not get close... Use a heatsink if you do.
When the caustic sink bar is full, your hull will be contaminated and you'll get constant damage. DO NOT LET THAT HAPPEN. pop a caustic sink as soon as the bar is almost full and flashes. ALL PIPS TO ENGINE AND BOOST towards the Titan. There's a twitchy target, but you want to reach a cloud with lightning in it.

- The Pulse: The Titan will make noise, then charge up a pulse that will kick you out again and mess up your ship. The charge-up takes a bit, the cloud becomes whitish. ALL PIPS ON SYS and press the keybind for the pulse neutraliser and HOLD IT DOWN as soon as the wave triggers. NOT BEFORE or your SYS power will run out.
Caustic damage will continue to come in at that point so never stop boosting. There can be more than one pulse, so be careful.
Once you see asteroids, that's where you want to go. You are relatively safe there. Caustic damage will stop. If at any point your hull is contaminated, you will most likely die if you don't have caustic sinks left. Heating up to around 150% via silent running can purge it though, I have been told.
EDIT: if you have a xeno limpet controller you can purge remaining caustic contamination with a limpet. Hold still, target nothing, fire limpet.

In the asteroid field you might want to synthesise heatsinks if you used any.


The Titan
Usually it's calm here on approach. If your heat stays below 20%, you will most likely not be detected, but that's hard to do with only heat sinks and without engineering. That's why I think having other players hitting the vents for you is best.

Layout: On the upper side there are bulges on the outside of the Titan. These are the vents. They open up periodically and close again. On the others side of the Titan there's its pineapple heart, the thermal core, the thing you NEED TO POKE at least once.

The Task: Once the vents open up, LOCK ON and shoot it with the nanite torpedo. It needs a lock-on, so wait a second until it does. One for each vent. BUT don't get greedy here. The more you hit, the longer the big thermal core will stay open, but you have to make it on the other side. Hit 3 maybe if you're fast.
After that cycle to the underbelly of the Titan as quickly as possible. The thermal core rises up and glows. SHOOT THE DAMN PINEAPPLE WITH AX WEAPONS until it lowers into the ground again and it is done. Then boost straight up to avoid a magnetic field thingie attack. But that's a bonus at this point. You'll hopefully see a COMBAT BOND message coming up, telling you for how many credits you did damage. Last 100% confirmed number for contribution is bonds for 1.4 millions. Not entirely sure about this. Will update once I know more. That's your CG ticket.
While doing all of the above, try to cool your ship down with heatsinks as best you can. If you go to 20% or higher you will be shot at. A lot. Don't panic at this point. Stay on task or you'll definitely die before it's done.

Given that the above takes a little practice and you might be attacked by Thargoids in an unengineered, not cold ship, it might be best if a more eperienced player would hit the vents while you are already waiting on the lower side of the Titan and just wait for the heart vent to rise.


I think that's it. Please give more USEFUL advice if you have it! My aim is just to make this possible for newer players without engineering.

-----

Unopened thermal vent and the thermal core (aka pineapple)
View attachment 411492View attachment 411493



EDIT: Terminology corrections. Added pictures. Updated last confirmed number for contribution.

Fantastic writeup! So many people have been asking about this that I decided to give it a go from absolute zero. I reset my alt account and went from absolute nothing to registering damage on Cocijo without engineering. It took me about about three-ish hours starting from stepping out of training at HIP 97950. To get funds for the build, I spent 150K of my starting 250K on an Artemis suit. Then, I landed my sidewinder in the first system that had landable moons with a good number of biological signatures. I managed to find and scan 10 species in a couple of hours without the benefit of a DSS, netting just under 18 million at Vista Genomics. I used that to buy a DBX and shorten the trip to Sol. At Magnus Gateway in EZ Aquarii, I upgraded the Core Internals to Grade A (D for sensors and live support), put on a heat sink launcher, stripped the shields and cargo bays and filled the optional internals with module and hull reinforcements. Then I wen to Lutyen's Star and got my AX goodies at Hutner. This is the build: Unengineered Titan Bomber DBX. I lucked out and made it to Cocijo first try, no interdictions, and I didn't get caught before I started shooting. I captured the run. I tried to bug out as soon as I finished, but I should have gone around for another pass, because I didn't have the caustic sinks to make it back out anyway. It's a one-way build.

 

[GroG79]

I got lots of them (AX MC's) at the rescue megaship. Point defense is great for anything other than AX.

The Rescue Python, with all it's engineering, looks to be a pretty good ship. It boosts at 454 m/sec. It could easily be outfitted for AX Bombing. It could then be returned to civilian use, with all that engineering.

So you did come back after all to help

 

[Ralph Vargr]

So you did come back after all to help

Guilt.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Fantastic writeup! So many people have been asking about this that I decided to give it a go from absolute zero. I reset my alt account and went from absolute nothing to registering damage on Cocijo without engineering. It took me about about three-ish hours starting from stepping out of training at HIP 97950. To get funds for the build, I spent 150K of my starting 250K on an Artemis suit. Then, I landed my sidewinder in the first system that had landable moons with a good number of biological signatures. I managed to find and scan 10 species in a couple of hours without the benefit of a DSS, netting just under 18 million at Vista Genomics. I used that to buy a DBX and shorten the trip to Sol. At Magnus Gateway in EZ Aquarii, I upgraded the Core Internals to Grade A (D for sensors and live support), put on a heat sink launcher, stripped the shields and cargo bays and filled the optional internals with module and hull reinforcements. Then I wen to Lutyen's Star and got my AX goodies at Hutner. This is the build: Unengineered Titan Bomber DBX. I lucked out and made it to Cocijo first try, no interdictions, and I didn't get caught before I started shooting. I captured the run. I tried to bug out as soon as I finished, but I should have gone around for another pass, because I didn't have the caustic sinks to make it back out anyway. It's a one-way build.

Thanks!

It looks like your breakout was at 100 KM from the hypocenter. That makes for 200 seconds of exposure, or three minutes, twenty seconds of panicked boosting (assuming 500 m/sec).

My builds have not even made it one way...