Deep space combat ready?

[Yanick]

Since I've returned to the bubble post 2.2 release, the NPCs seem to have become more agressive and effective.
Has anyone had this experience, or is it just me?

I'm using my standard defensive loadout for my ASPX, which is four mine launchers, and a Point Defence.
This has worked well up untill now, even with big and powerful ships.
Has anyone else had problems with mines being ineffective post 2.2?

If mines have become less effective, I do worry about a defence even being possible out in the black for a small amount of extra mass.

Thanks Commanders

CMDR
Yanick

o7

 

[racer1]

They made NPC more aware of mines in 2.2.

Submit, boost and jump away should still be viable in an asp.

 

[Major Klutz]

Why would you need defense out in the black? The odds of running into an NPC are zero and running into another player is nearly zero.
Nobody has seen a Thargoid yet and IMO preparing for an alien encounter is paranoid and a waste of time.

The best defense in the black or when returning to a station is the tried and true "Sir Robin" maneuver.
Mines? meh. Useless dead weight for 99.9 percent of your journey and the odds of actually using them on the last jump home are very slim.
Point Defense? No point. I've never had missiles used on me when I wasn't aligned in power play. Pirates don't want to destroy you. And again, the odds of needing it doesn't make it worth carrying the weight.

 

[goemon]

yep, mines aren't the foolproofed solution anymore they have been in 2.1.

speed still is - invest in speed and distributor, or engineer those. AspE >390 m/s is very safe (more is better).

below 390 bring pointdefense or ECM.

above 450 m/s you basically need nothing beside a mini shield.

a slow conda should invest in some e-class resistance boosters.

 

[Yanick]

Well there is the alien threat, that FD have repeatedly advised explorers to be armed for.

I have been attacked on my way back from the black before. A few months ago I nearly lost 35m in exploration data from a three month long expedition. Due to an NPC attack, just outside the bubble.

Also being randomly attacked in the bubble, without cargo, and without powerplay affliations is definately possible. It's happened to me many times.

 

[goemon]

Point Defense? No point. I've never had missiles used on me when I wasn't aligned in power play.

i had.

also - npc spawn is ship dependent to some extend.

but anyways - returning to a high security system at the edge of the bubble with a station >200 ls from entry point, and change to a bubble ready ship there is probaby the best defense you can have.

 

[Major Klutz]

Well there is the alien threat, that FD have repeatedly advised explorers to be armed for.

I'll consider arming my ship when the first reports come in of an unarmed exploration vessel being destroyed by an unknown alien threat.
Until then, it's rumor and speculation. The odds don't support the investment in the extra weight and the added travel time from that weight.

 

[goemon]

Well there is the alien threat, that FD have repeatedly advised explorers to be armed for.

you know what? in the unlikely event that i'm the one who makes first contact, I'll be happily destroyed while making screenshots and trying to get my screen capture running.

after that event, i'll wait till the combat-pros will have figured out how to equip best.

 

[Col Frost]

I agree that there is zero point in taking weapons into deep space right now, unless you're ultra cautious or paranoid.
I took 3 large engineered (lightweight mounts) beam lasers on my Anaconda to the core and wished I hadn't.
As soon as 2.2 was released I raced backed to Jaques in a day to put them in storage before heading out again.
If you have an even half decent jump range you should have no problem navigating through high security systems to sell and data/ make repairs/ outfitting.

If you're planning to stay much in the bubble I would upgrade for the stay.

 

[Yanick]

If you have an even half decent jump range you should have no problem navigating through high security systems to sell and data/ make repairs/ outfitting.

You can still do all that, and still nearly be destroyed by NPCs. It's not paranoia if you've actualy had NPC attacks even before you could reach the first station outside the bubble. I go armed into the black for very real, and very practical reasons.

 

[goemon]

You can still do all that, and still nearly be destroyed by NPCs. It's not paranoia if you've actualy had NPC attacks even before you could reach the first station outside the bubble. I go armed into the black for very real, and very practical reasons.

the point is, weapons have no defensive value in ED (beside a small burst turret, which might bring the NPC into combat- instead of predator-routine).

if you are talking about defense, not attack, don't look at your hardpoints.

 

[Minoo Minou]

the point is, weapons have no defensive value in ED (beside a small burst turret, which might bring the NPC into combat- instead of predator-routine).

if you are talking about defense, not attack, don't look at your hardpoints.

Mmmmh. mine launchers?

 

[Yanick]

the point is, weapons have no defensive value in ED (beside a small burst turret, which might bring the NPC into combat- instead of predator-routine).

if you are talking about defense, not attack, don't look at your hardpoints.

I've found that Mines have worked very well as defensive weapons. That is until now.
It seems that the 2.2 update has basicly nerfed them.
Which is a shame for explorers, since they were a low power, and fairly low mass weapon.

 

[Kenneth McGrew]

the point is, weapons have no defensive value in ED (beside a small burst turret, which might bring the NPC into combat- instead of predator-routine).

if you are talking about defense, not attack, don't look at your hardpoints.

exactly this - i use thrusters and Engineer them, all the defence i need.

here is a STOCK DBx running from a clipper, notice how far away i am before he even gets in system and im out in a flash!

engineered this is even easier

[video=vimeo;181204728]https://vimeo.com/181204728[/video]

 

[goemon]

I've found that Mines have worked very well as defensive weapons. That is until now.
It seems that the 2.2 update has basicly nerfed them.
Which is a shame for explorers, since they were a low power, and fairly low mass weapon.

well, to be fair, mines started working in 2.1. ... and that lasted to 2.2.

 

[goemon]

exactly this - i use thrusters and Engineer them, all the defence i need.

here is a STOCK DBx running from a clipper, notice how far away i am before he even gets in system and im out in a flash!

engineered this is even easier

https://vimeo.com/181204728

great video ... flying a DBX teaches all tricks ;-)

 

[Col Frost]

You can still do all that, and still nearly be destroyed by NPCs. It's not paranoia if you've actualy had NPC attacks even before you could reach the first station outside the bubble. I go armed into the black for very real, and very practical reasons.

Hey not knocking your view, just giving an opinion from my perspective. My combat rank is only competent too so anyone trying to interdict me is not gonna give too much of a challenge anyway

 

[Major Klutz]

Generally speaking, an NPC "Pirate" is not going to bother you if you don't have cargo on board. I never carry cargo when returning from a long trip.
Unless you're Wanted or aligned in Power Play, NPC ships don't have any motivation to destroy you outright without asking you to drop your cargo first.

If you do get interdicted, submit, boost, jump almost always works with little to no damage. At most I've lost a ring on my shields from lucky pulse laser hits at long range.
It's important of course that when you submit, you return the throttle to full, put all four pips to engines and boost the instant you drop out of SC.

Is there a chance you could get destroyed by an NPC on the last bit of the super-cruise to your destination station? Sure, but it's an extremely SMALL chance.

If that small chance worries you, you can always call for an escort. There are several player groups that are happy to wing with you outside the bubble and provide an armed escort on your last few jumps and final SC to the station. I think that's a far better option than carrying that extra weight for weeks or months out in deep space.

There's Iridium Wing which are happy to give Explorers an escort when returning to or leaving the bubble.
And there is the Colonia Militia if you're coming into Jaques or the Colonia region.

 

[Rampa_fin]

I've been out from bubble couple of months now. Lot of stars here. Weapons are quite useless here, bring good exploration ship with decent jump range and AFMUs...

Greetings approx 51k Ly from SOL

Rampa_Fin