Advice for those with shields in deep space
- Thread starter dognosh
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I'm flying a DBE towards the core at the minute. I have found that heat never goes above 64% when scooping. I can run her as low as 17% when not scooping.
Off:
Shields
Power distributor
Cargo hatch
AFMU
On:
FSD
Fuel scoop
Power plant
Thrusters
ADS
DSC
Sensors
Life support
Off:
Shields
Power distributor
Cargo hatch
AFMU
On:
FSD
Fuel scoop
Power plant
Thrusters
ADS
DSC
Sensors
Life support
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Remember, if you carry shields, switch them ON any time you're about to drop into asteroid/ice rings. Be safe while taking those photos of deep space beauty spots!
I recently reversed at speed into an asteroid I was sure was 100m off to the right. Fortunately, I had fully charged up the tiny shield generator I'd brought with me... and had 4 pips to SYS. I lost a full ring, but that was all. Without some kind of shielding, my Diamondback would have got badly bent...
I recently reversed at speed into an asteroid I was sure was 100m off to the right. Fortunately, I had fully charged up the tiny shield generator I'd brought with me... and had 4 pips to SYS. I lost a full ring, but that was all. Without some kind of shielding, my Diamondback would have got badly bent...
I don’t bother taking shields when outside the bubble, but there's perfectly sensible reasons to take them.
I'm just posting here to say that as I play in open I'd never switch off sensors, because with them off you can't see other CMDRs. I'm not worried about being attacked, but I wouldn't want to miss out on a freak meeting with another explorer - the chances of randomly bumping into another player out in the black away from a tourist system are so small that if it ever happened it would be one of the coolest things to happen to me in the game. So I keep them powered on just in case.
If you play in solo then definitely switch them off, they're just heat generators for you.
I'm just posting here to say that as I play in open I'd never switch off sensors, because with them off you can't see other CMDRs. I'm not worried about being attacked, but I wouldn't want to miss out on a freak meeting with another explorer - the chances of randomly bumping into another player out in the black away from a tourist system are so small that if it ever happened it would be one of the coolest things to happen to me in the game. So I keep them powered on just in case.
If you play in solo then definitely switch them off, they're just heat generators for you.
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Good Advice for Explorers
I have done exactly this during exploration and not only you reduce your heat signature and power usage but your fuel consumption in SC also goes down quite significantly. + 1 rep to both of you
Since there are no NPC or pirates about, turn your shields off in the modules section especially as you will, if like me, never come out of supercruise(as shields don't work in SC or HS anyway).
I say this because, and quite correctly, Cmdrs advise that carrying a shield generates heat, which is one reason many Cmdrs don't carry one.
The difference on my setup is 4% when I am scooping
p.s. remember to switch it back on when entering the bubble !!!
(I have a sticky note on the top of my screen
Let´s make it vice versa:
Switch OFF everything except:
F(r)ame Shift Drive
Thruster
Life Support
1 Heatsink module
Detailed Surface Scanner
Advanced Discovery Scanner
Coffee machine
When coming back around 200 ly near civilised space it´s time to lighten the console up again: Switch it all on again - the shields, sensors, power distributor and defensive measures.
Just leave CargoBay and AFMUs off.
I have done exactly this during exploration and not only you reduce your heat signature and power usage but your fuel consumption in SC also goes down quite significantly. + 1 rep to both of you
I've always wondered why shields don't reduce integrity damage when in SC. Whatever it is that causes the damage also messes up the paint job, so it makes sense that shields would reduce that kind of damage. Same with regards to corona heat damage. You'd think anything that could stop a laser would also reduce radiation damage. But I guess by that logic, turning on the shields should render a pilot blind.
I guess it's structural damage caused by sudden deceleration and high g forces causing stress on the hull - if so, I can understand why shields designed to prevent things hitting the hull wouldn't protect against that. As for radiation damage, I guess they were designed to protect against very specific types..
I'll admit that whenever I turn my shields off in the black I start thinking about how radiation would pretty much fry me in "real" life, particularly while scooping right next to a coronal mass ejection.. There's no rational reason behind it, I just kind of feel naked without shields.
I'll admit that whenever I turn my shields off in the black I start thinking about how radiation would pretty much fry me in "real" life, particularly while scooping right next to a coronal mass ejection..
There's no rational reason behind it, I just kind of feel naked without shields.The mechanic probably needs a re-think. I turned mine off to reduce fuel consumption when making some big jumps and not bothered to put it back on again. After a couple of months exploring I'm on my way back for a re-fit. I will be ditching shields as I need to maximise my range. Heat sinks are going too, not actually used one yet.
People run with shields in deep space? XD
In seriousness, I don't begrudge anyone who feels the need. But as someone who spends almost all his time many kylie from the bubble with no possibility of NPCs and an infinitesimal chance of encountering other players, I'd much rather have the jump range and extra expansion bay. It feels like a ridiculous waste to drag around a shield generator that I never actually use unless I want to try landing on a 'roid (I took a shot like the one upthread myself, but I was shielded at the time).
In seriousness, I don't begrudge anyone who feels the need. But as someone who spends almost all his time many kylie from the bubble with no possibility of NPCs and an infinitesimal chance of encountering other players, I'd much rather have the jump range and extra expansion bay. It feels like a ridiculous waste to drag around a shield generator that I never actually use unless I want to try landing on a 'roid (I took a shot like the one upthread myself, but I was shielded at the time).
Since there are no NPC or pirates about, turn your shields off in the modules section especially as you will, if like me, never come out of supercruise(as shields don't work in SC or HS anyway).
I say this because, and quite correctly, Cmdrs advise that carrying a shield generates heat, which is one reason many Cmdrs don't carry one.
The difference on my setup is 4% when I am scooping
p.s. remember to switch it back on when entering the bubble !!!
(I have a sticky note on the top of my screen
Good advice!
And man...take OFF the plastic on your screen aaahgghghgg
I've been out since late April. When (IF...) I get back, I'll have to think of a lot of things.p.s. remember to switch it back on when entering the bubble !!!
(I have a sticky note on the top of my screen
Shields on, power distributor on, what was my boost button?, chaff on (does that thing still work at only 40%?), what was the approach angle for a good exit from SC on a station? And fine motor skills in confined spaces, which I have not seen for a long time...
Edit:
Oops, nearly forgot that one!
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Whiterose, where have you and your sensibilities been all my ED life?
I understand the reasons to turn some items off while exploring.
But where does that leave you when exploring neutron stars and other systems where it is possible to crash out of jump or SC entering a system through the local stars?
In this early ED days this means a lot of damage shield up. These days I have managed to jump into a system and pass through the middle of 2 stars. Then still be left in SC before arriving in orbit.
Not sure I would want the test the idea without shields
Do you check EVERY jump to see if there is local star in line with your approach to that system?
Shields when exploring are like helmets when cycling. You really, really, really do not need them; but if you are THAT worried about the 1 in a whatever huge number chance of wishing you had one, carry one by all means.
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