Sidewinder is kinda squishy...

[Altissimus]

...in a combat area and a single type 9 killed me in <10 seconds. Evasion is all but impossible, it seems, and my shields seem to be made of vapour.

Any way of improving defenses, or is that as good as it gets?

 

[Memnoch]

You took on a very big ship, which to be fair is a cargo hauler, which has more and bigger weapons than you. This was the expected outcome. You can buy better weapons and improved hull plating but the best suggestion I can give is don't attack Lakon Type 9's.

Your ships is more suited to taking out ships of a similar size although it is possible with the right tools to take down an Anaconda on your own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV9YOu-BtP0

Interesting to note here some of the sound differences between now and the earliest Alpha's.

 

[prasak]

Its a basic ship, but I do not find it terrible. Lakon has huge firepower, if you happen in its crosshair, but it is really easy to avoid getting in that situation.

There should be some way to improve it more than just buying better guns, but I dont think its in game already.

 

[Aleksej]

There are only hull upgrades now but in any case you should enter the combat with enemies of your level. I doubt that you can take out a tank with a machine gun.

 

[ubermick]

Yeah, taking on a space cow in a Sidewinder is sorta like playing in the World Cup after having a few kickabouts down the park. Have to ease your way into it, gradually upgrading your ship and skills.

 

[deusx_ophc]

...in a combat area and a single type 9 killed me in <10 seconds. Evasion is all but impossible, it seems, and my shields seem to be made of vapour.

Any way of improving defenses, or is that as good as it gets?

well the type9 is out of your ballpark - anacondas can be had with the basic loadout though, easily my first 3 kills in beta where condas (outside freeport, nearly only condas in that scenario, very safe)

 

[Yaffle]

NPC Cobras are quite do-able in the sidewinder too. They don't have turrets, so you can keep on their six in safety, you can easily out manoeuvre them. All they have over you then is faster flight and the inevitable 10% hull FSD out of there.

(says the pilot who has yet to collect a single bounty)

 

[Ulfar]

Anacondas for the money to upgrade

Go to the Eranin low intensity conflict, select Eranin as your faction.

Don't waste your time on Fighters or Cobras if there are lots of players in the area, they evaporate quickly. If there aren't then go for it.

Look out for the Anacondas, max your engine to keep pace with them, add a bit to weapons and place yourself in the blind spot directly behind them.

You may want to find an elastic band to hold your trigger down, they do die eventually if you are solo. Others may give a helping hand which improves speed of kill, but then it is a lottery as to who gets the bounty. Bounty is 400, so well worth it.

Don't try the dreadnought, not sure if it is even possible. There was a whole group of us pounding on it with no effect.

Bounties should be shared IMHO.