Newcomer / Intro Classes and Ratings. Case in Point: Shields

purf

purf
Yes, I could search for this but another thread is quite in order because: issues ;)

I'm trying to build a mean Eagle and I'm running into power problems.
Now I'm seeing that I have a B3 Shield generator installed. Which is heavy
and draws a lot of power but, hey, it's 3 so it must be providing massive
protection, right?
Except that I just don't know. Class 3's Optimal Mass and Max Mass is way above
an Eagle's tonnage. There's the A2 Shield Generator with 2 being the class
I'd expect to be the right one for an Eagle but then again, Optimal Mass is
~30t below my current weight and the whole outfitting mechanic provides
no information about how any of this is connected to a ship's ability to absorb
damage.

So, just what is the best shield for an Eagle (or any given ship) and why?
 

the100thmonkey

the100thmonkey
Yeah ditch that B3 generator for an A3 at the earliest possible opportunity.

The values for shield output are affected by the base tonnage of the ship, in my understanding. The same is not true for thrusters, which are affected by the overall tonnage of the ship.

In that regard, the B3 shield gives almost as much coverage as the A3, but gives you a big weight penalty.

In my opinion, "optimal" weight for shields and thrusters is something of a misnomer, as it's not really "optimal"; it's the cusp mass where the item becomes more or less effective. Being 20t over your optimal weight is therefore sub-optimal as it heavily reduces the coverage your shields provide or the maneuverability the thrusters give you.

There is an actual optimal mass, which is below the stated optimal, and going under that provides no additional benefit. I don't know what it is for each ship.
 

RobWolves

R
Just you I've been debating the whole shield thing. You'd think with a small Eagle that the A2 would be fine but the figures suggest not. So like 100th said, I'll be getting the A3 instead.

Are there any small ships that do have the mass to allow an A2 shield to be optimal?
 

purf

purf
okay, I think my confusion stemmed from the wishful thinking
1) a 500k module would be overkill on a 45k ship so that
2) fitting someting smaller would allow me to run two Rail Guns

alas... probably the most sensible thing is to just fly back to
where my Viper is parked.
 
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Narius Cen

N
purf said:
a 500k module would be overkill on a 45k ship so that
Click to expand...

Any ship you decide to gear up is going to cost a lot. The viper costs around 140k but serious bounty hunters can invest a couple of millions on a Viper because this is the best ship for them. Likewise for the Cobra.

The best thing to do is hold buying the more expensive upgrades until you are dead set on a particular ship and mode of play, unless of course you enjoy experimenting!
 

purf

purf
Narius Cen said:
Any ship you decide to gear up is going to cost a lot. The viper costs around 140k but serious bounty hunters can invest a couple of millions on a Viper because this is the best ship for them. Likewise for the Cobra.

The best thing to do is hold buying the more expensive upgrades until you are dead set on a particular ship and mode of play, unless of course you enjoy experimenting!
Click to expand...

But, exactly! ;) I own a Viper somewhere north of 2.5 Million aaand I thought the Eagle might be a nice and cheap platform for some experiments.
Now it seems like the best way to build an Eagle is to end up with a weak and fragile version of something I already have. THIS I don't want to spend much money on.
 
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