Current thoughts on the Anaconda ?

SAB380 · Apr 20, 2015

Not a negative or positive post, just curious to get owners thoughts on the Anaconda under the current game build.

I flew one and loved it during various beta's but haven't built my way up to it in this version.

I'm not sure if its worth doing so and am wondering on others experience.

Personally I think an Anaconda should be nigh invincible to smaller ships and should take a co-ordinated effort from a group of NPC/player pirates to really dent it ....but I keep reading about its massive blind spot behind the engines and its weakness against rail guns and other higher end weapons, usable by a single player in a mid (or even small) size ship. Is that just exaggeration or fact?

Is it worth doing the massive amount of work to afford not just the base hull but kitting it out with parts?
...especially considering that for its price you could easily have your own nice fleet of ships?

777Driver · Apr 20, 2015

Well I'm a T9 fan but can't deny that my Anaconda is the best all round Heavy ship. It can haul a huge amount of cargo, defend itself well during community goals, jump 41LY if needed and will eventually be able to carry a scout ship/ships.

If you can afford one go for it. Mine mainly sits in dock since I prefer trading in my T9 & fighting in smaller ships, still it's nice to head back to base and take it out every now and then. You feel like the Captain on the bridge of a warship, no other ship gives me that feeling.

Have never been interdicted once, and it has always been able to hold it's own in combat during community goals. You can turn the ship into a complete beast if you have the cash, even near stock it will take a heavy beating.

-SOVEREIGN- · Apr 20, 2015

SAB380 said:
[...]

Personally I think an Anaconda should be nigh invincible to smaller ships and should take a co-ordinated effort from a group of NPC/player pirates to really dent it ....but I keep reading about its massive blind spot behind the engines and its weakness against rail guns and other higher end weapons, usable by a single player in a mid (or even small) size ship. Is that just exaggeration or fact?
[...]

Both. This spot exists and you can exploit it well against NPC. A human will, if he really is unable to get shots on you, just jump away. The ability that you can only be masslocked by another Anaconda makes you basically invincible. Having the strongest shields and the fact that masslocking on the other hand is irrelevant for hyperjumps lets you espace nearly every possible situation.

CMDR Hagglebeard · Apr 20, 2015

That huge blindspot vanished long ago. It's extremely hard to stay behind an Anaconda, and I fly a Cobra.

Endziel · Apr 20, 2015

Annie IS invincible against smaller ships. PvP builds use fixed lasers, so it has a blindspot everywhere except front of the nose. Key is not to engage in dogfighting with it, but to constantly be backpedaling, and FAoff boost-turning whenever necessary. With my PvP build I've tanked 5+ ships at the same time regularly and never had a problem.

Its the best explorer, best hauler (sacrificing a little cargo for better jump range and mobility vs T9), best ship in 1v1 PvP, and can easily hold its own against multiple smaller hostiles at the same time if you have the right build.

smsKONG · Apr 20, 2015

Yeah it's not like gamma where you could solo a conda in your starter ship.
Even the dumbest npc manage to keep that blindspot unoccupied!

aRtFuL · Apr 20, 2015

SAB380 said:
Personally I think an Anaconda should be nigh invincible to smaller ships and should take a co-ordinated effort from a group of NPC/player pirates to really dent it ....but I keep reading about its massive blind spot behind the engines and its weakness against rail guns and other higher end weapons, usable by a single player in a mid (or even small) size ship. Is that just exaggeration or fact?

I think that firstly that blindspot is only a small area behind the engine and it is not that useful, because of you stay there it will be very hard for your weapons to focus on power plant.

Secondly "nigh invincible" is very subjective. The anaconda itself is "nigh invincible" vs smaller ships if you are talking about ramming. It is just not "nigh invincible" vs certain types or classes of weapons that's all (which is fair if one wants to maintain variety in this game).

Rall · Apr 20, 2015

It's exaggeration, usually by people that have never flown a Conda and managed to ambush a poorly equipped and stripped down trading Anaconda.

It's extremely difficult task to tackle and Anaconda 1v1 in anything other than another Anaconda.

An FDL probably has the best shot at it due to its speed advantage, but it'll need to be rigged for big ship killing. Huge Plasma and 4 Cannon is how I'd fit one out for Conda killing. A Clipper doesn’t have the firepower, and the Python doesn’t have enough speed or mass lock. Vultures can be troublesome but only if you stay and fight, they need to work hard to bring the shields down. They are easily escaped from though.

The other ships aren’t a threat alone, they don’t have enough firepower to really trouble you, a player Anaconda will usually have massive shields and SCBs if they are PvPing.

The Anaconda main disadvantage in a fight is once your shields are down you hosed, because a smart player will take out the thrusters, as they are easier to hit from multiple angles and weaker than the power plants.

Basically if you can't kill it, you can leave - the only real threat is other Anaconda. And those are really just slugging matches of firepower vs shield strength, and rarely end in destruction useally one side will withdraw long before that.

Wings are a differant, don't fight player wings solo in any ship.

Mysteron · Apr 20, 2015

My Conda is bristling with beam turrets, so no effective blindspots. I have taken on fleets of up to 6 or 7 npc ships, including groups consisting of condas, vipers and cobras. Fill her with boosters and cell banks and her shield will absorb huge amounts of fire. But her real power is in her unnerving intimidation, when the unmistakable silhouette of the mighty Anaconda powers into your view then you know you've got trouble.

Rall · Apr 20, 2015

aRtFuL said:
I think that firstly that blindspot is only a small area behind the engine and it is not that useful, because of you stay there it will be very hard for your weapons to focus on power plant.

Secondly "nigh invincible" is very subjective. The anaconda itself is "nigh invincible" vs smaller ships if you are talking about ramming. It is just not "nigh invincible" vs certain types or classes of weapons that's all (which is fair if one wants to maintain variety in this game).

The blind spot for those who don't know is behind the engines at the same height of the bridge, which will block turret fire from the C3 hard points up on the nose.
You will need to be able to stay in close, even the Conda can roll quickly.

This is much easier said than done against a player piloted Anaconda even in agile ships.

If you aiming to stay in the blind spot, target the thrusters. You still have to get the shields done, Plasma Accelerators are best for this, they’re also good against sub systems.

Endziel · Apr 20, 2015

Rall said:
Huge Plasma and 4 Cannon is how I'd fit one out for Conda killing.

Hahahahah. Please, add me, lets duel and you'll see how much good that setup is going to do you. Protip: not much.

And to everyone talking about blind spots, turrets and what not. Those are not relevant in PvP.

Abil Midena · Apr 20, 2015

I think in PKP mode, it's extremely vulnerable. I don't know if I'd even bother taking mine into PKP mode.

In solo, you're ok, and can do whatever you want with it and feel pretty safe.

Endziel · Apr 20, 2015

Abil Midena said:
I think in PKP mode, it's extremely vulnerable. I don't know if I'd even bother taking mine into PKP mode.

In solo, you're ok, and can do whatever you want with it and feel pretty safe.

What's PKP mode? You mean PvP? Its vulnerable if the only experience you have is pew-pewing easy mode NPC's in solo, thats for sure.

PotatoOverdose · Apr 20, 2015

Competently flown, it's essentially invulnerable in pvp. It also can't catch anything except other anacondas, which makes it a rather niche ship for pvp. For earning credits, it's the best trader around - if you like trading. For RES sites, assasination missions, and conflict zones I'd take a Vulture, FdL, Clipper, or Python over a Conda just because you'll save quite a bit of downtime in going from spawn to spawn and turning/reversing to face your target. It can also be used for exploration effectively, though I personally prefer the asp for the better cockpit visibility.

clivewil · Apr 20, 2015

so the overall feeling is - if you can buy one, then buy one?

Abil Midena · Apr 20, 2015

Endziel said:
What's PKP mode? You mean PvP? Its vulnerable if the only experience you have is pew-pewing easy mode NPC's in solo, thats for sure.

Awww, touch a nerve there kid? Sowwy. How about you stop trolling and say something about the Anaconda like the dude asked. That's why you're in this thread, right? You own one and therefore have an informed opinion? Yes?

Abil Midena · Apr 20, 2015

clivewil said:
so the overall feeling is - if you can buy one, then buy one?

I would say yeah, if for no other reason than to try it out for yourself. If you can afford one, you can afford the 10% for selling it if you don't like it. So why not, right?

Endziel · Apr 20, 2015

Abil Midena said:
Awww, touch a nerve there kid? Sowwy. How about you stop trolling and say something about the Anaconda like the dude asked. That's why you're in this thread, right? You own one and therefore have an informed opinion? Yes?

You're kiddoing me, you who failed to even read the first 4 replies in the thread before spouting your own inexperienced opinion upon us?

Endziel said:
Annie IS invincible against smaller ships. PvP builds use fixed lasers, so it has a blindspot everywhere except front of the nose. Key is not to engage in dogfighting with it, but to constantly be backpedaling, and FAoff boost-turning whenever necessary. With my PvP build I've tanked 5+ ships at the same time regularly and never had a problem.

Its the best explorer, best hauler (sacrificing a little cargo for better jump range and mobility vs T9), best ship in 1v1 PvP, and can easily hold its own against multiple smaller hostiles at the same time if you have the right build.

Darth Ender · Apr 20, 2015

the anaconda is not a military or combat oriented ship. It's a trading ship that has excellent defensive capabilities compared to other dedicated trading ships. Can it be rolled into the function of military, sure. but it's a band-aid meant to fill a role that would otherwise be filled with an actual combat ship but the military in question is too poor to do so.

Condas will be more attractive once the docking bay feature is implemented. and Obviously more attractive when the mining changes go into play with 1.3. But to expect it to be OP to anything smaller is just mis-understanding what the ship is. I think it's fine in it's current role and how it handles fights. I plan on making it my second ship soon, outfitted as a miner once 1.3 hits.

clivewil · Apr 20, 2015

Abil Midena said:
I would say yeah, if for no other reason than to try it out for yourself. If you can afford one, you can afford the 10% for selling it if you don't like it. So why not, right?

sounds good to me. i might grab one when i get back home, and see what all the fuss is about

---> Annie is now mine, oh yes