Anybody fitting B-rated upgrades?

DidierDrbois · Apr 23, 2015

Into the game since launch and I realised I've been skipping all B-rated stuff all the time. Whenever I leave the dealer with a new boat, I immediately go all D, except straight A on FSD and distributor.

I tried B on the Python (because money) and it's terrible. B as in Brick your ship. Anybody with a different view?

Aussiedroid · Apr 23, 2015

I don't know if it is true, but I heard that the B class modules are more resilient against sub-system damage. If so that might offer an advantage for the extra weight incurred, but in terms of using them, I generally skip as well, but occasionally fitting one where I was maxing out the power etc on my ship (fitting the biggest I could go in the limits).

I haven't really noticed any difference in handling on whatever I fit, except for things like thrusters ofc.

Surround · Apr 23, 2015

I'm using B powerplant in case of some PvP. I really hope it gives so protection for subsystems when flying with my dropship

Yank31 · Apr 23, 2015

Yeah, word on the street is that B modules are armored modules. If you look at the integrity rating, you'll see that B modules have a better rating than As (rating : A, with a little upward arrow).

So it might be a good idea to go with B power plant and thrusters, in some ships, for pvp.

I have no tested the difference - the effect of "armor".

xondk · Apr 23, 2015

Yank31 said:
Yeah, word on the street is that B modules are armored modules. If you look at the integrity rating, you'll see that B modules have a better rating than As (rating : A, with a little upward arrow).

So it might be a good idea to go with B power plant and thrusters, in some ships, for pvp.

I have no tested the difference - the effect of "armor".

should be easy enough to test, will see if I can test it today

Aussiedroid · Apr 23, 2015

xondk said:
should be easy enough to test, will see if I can test it today

I would be keen to know how it turns out (.. I am too far out in space to test myself).

DidierDrbois · Apr 23, 2015

Oh, me see, thanks! This game should really explain itself better - had no idea B stuff is stronger, although the mass should be an indication.

Re impact, I tried B shields and thrusters (from D) on a Dropship and it was profound. I was using boost to pull it out of its trademark drifts but with them B modules it grew a mind of its own

. Mind you, I hated even the A thrusters on it and flew D all the time. But that's a different story.

Thanks again, rep where rep is due.

Mortifa · Apr 23, 2015

This thread, https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=137188&highlight=Shield+test , shows that B's seem to be better.

smsKONG · Apr 23, 2015

I go B; makes you appreciate the A more when you get it

[HJ]-RedRaven · Apr 23, 2015

DidierDrbois said:
Into the game since launch and I realised I've been skipping all B-rated stuff all the time. Whenever I leave the dealer with a new boat, I immediately go all D, except straight A on FSD and distributor.

I tried B on the Python (because money) and it's terrible. B as in Brick your ship. Anybody with a different view?

Python with D thrusters was quite sluggish, and C wasn't much different. I'm now running B class thrusters on my Python and its much better. Finally getting A's will be nice.

Its not designed to be a fighter like the Vulture or FdL (or even a Cobra); with the Python you gracefully point the nose at things and melt them!
Its got 60-70% more firepower than a Vulture... heavier shields, much better armour and powers pretty much everything at once.

aRtFuL · Apr 23, 2015

I guess that explains why B is also heavier

xondk · Apr 23, 2015

But yeah, overall descriptions need to be a bit more detailed, the rating's are fine and all, but for example with b vs a both are 'a' so how much IS the difference, would be nice if it was possible to expand on those classifications and see the actual numbers behind it.

DidierDrbois · Apr 23, 2015

[HJ]-RedRaven said:
Python with D thrusters was quite sluggish, and C wasn't much different. I'm now running B class thrusters on my Python and its much better. Finally getting A's will be nice.

Its not designed to be a fighter like the Vulture or FdL (or even a Cobra); with the Python you gracefully point the nose at things and melt them!
Its got 60-70% more firepower than a Vulture... heavier shields, much better armour and powers pretty much everything at once.

Very true indeed. Thinking the Python can be flown or turned into massive Eagle is a huge mistake. Luckily (and rather uncannily), the way the Python handles is indicative enough. I don't know how Frontier achieved this, but flying this lady is an event like no other. She has PRESENCE.

Quineloe · Apr 23, 2015

Yank31 said:
Yeah, word on the street is that B modules are armored modules. If you look at the integrity rating, you'll see that B modules have a better rating than As (rating : A, with a little upward arrow).

So it might be a good idea to go with B power plant and thrusters, in some ships, for pvp.

I have no tested the difference - the effect of "armor".

Good thing the number of ships that can actually be fitted with a B powerplant and not be completely starved or power can be counted on one hand. One carpenter's hand, too.

DidierDrbois · Apr 23, 2015

xondk said:
But yeah, overall descriptions need to be a bit more detailed, the rating's are fine and all, but for example with b vs a both are 'a' so how much IS the difference, would be nice if it was possible to expand on those classifications and see the actual numbers behind it.

Agreed!

Although a little part of me thinks that this try-it-out-and-see-for-yourself attitude is perfecly appropriate in a game that needs to be enjoyed slowly and carefully

- - - Updated - - -

smsKONG said:
I go B; makes you appreciate the A more when you get it

I do like the way you think!

Rankaze · Apr 23, 2015

If I had a Conda, or a Dropship, I would seriously consider the B powerplant. The powerplants on those ships are crazy vulnerable.

xondk · Apr 23, 2015

DidierDrbois said:
Agreed!

Although a little part of me thinks that this try-it-out-and-see-for-yourself attitude is perfecly appropriate in a game that needs to be enjoyed slowly and carefully

Definitely agree with this, however I like to be able to make at least partially informed choices. Giving us at least some more detail on the right now letters that don't seem to show that much difference, would be very nice.
Wouldn't even need to be actual numbers, maybe just instead spreading it out a bit, I mean if B is armored, then shouldn't it be integrity A, and A that has more power but no armor, be B?

Bruce Warren · Apr 23, 2015

B is for "Broke" (as in no credits, not broken) imo

I'm running some B gear at the moment, but plan to upgrade eventually.

The only D gear I'm currently packing is life support and sensors. Does anyone upgrade those things beyond D ?

Yank31 · Apr 23, 2015

aRtFuL said:
I guess that explains why B is also heavier

Yeah, me too.

Btw, all B modules are exactly +60% heavier than A or C modules.

Edit :

Which, to follow up @Rankaze post up there, make them quite cumbersome (well, it ruins your jumprange) to use on Condas. On everything, I guess, but yeah, Condas have exposed PP, and B8 are heavy

I used to rock one, but recently chose to downgrade it to A7.

As I see it, the game in its current form is SO brutal when you lose your shield, that accounting for "post-shield" play is just... stupid, basically. I'm talking about Conda, here. Smaller/faster ships can probably get some distance and wait for their shields to recharge, or outmanoeuvre their enemy. Condas can not really do that.

Ofc, having a B module would be better in theory, but... you never want to lose your shield ever, because bulkheads do nothing to protect modules, hull reinforcement do nothing in that regard either, and your PP and thrusters are so very exposed in a Conda, it's simply not worth it. Just put everything on shield, and never lose it. Or run before you lose it.

So in the end, yes, having B module for PP and thrusters (B7 thrusters really feel heavy, though) would be a nice idea, on paper. Same with bulkheads (hull reinforcement would be bad, either way). But, imo, it's actually a bad idea, in the current state of the game. Just go with shield, and make sure your never lose it, ever.

Btw, I really hate this current "everything for shield" meta. I find it very boring. But Conda sure can go crazy, with shield boosters and SCB. So might as well just do that, spare your weigh, don't bother with "B armored whatever" modules, don't even bother with bulkhead (nor hull reinforcement, for god sake), and pwn faces. Sigh.

Synthetic Frost · Apr 23, 2015

This actually explains a lot. I've been playing since Alpha and I always avoided the B-rated gear because they were heavier and due to a bug found like 4 months ago, performed worse than C-rated equipment. I think that was fixed, but if it's true that they're armored, that'd go a long way towards making me consider them.

You guys are right though, I with the outfitting screen displayed more raw stats than it currently does. Even after a year of playing, I'm still learning new things.