CZ large Vs small ships

[JonSnowman]

So I've had what i'd say is a fairly standard progression in the game. I mostly enjoy combat zones so primarily combat load outs. My progression has been

Viper -> cobra -> vulture -> FDS -> python -> anaconda -> clipper.

I hated the conda. Despite the DPS it was just so slow. And having the bridge on the back of the ship felt very strange. I've given it a good go, several cz's and mined my 500t for Selene jene in it...

I also hated the vulture. I find it's damage/manoeuvrability to be highly overrated.

I've now settled on an iclipper which i like. Fast, manoeuvrable, and decent dps. That said I'm kind of missing the small size and agility of fighter class ships.

I'm wondering if there is something I'm missing. Some sort of high DPS, small/medium, option that can dominate cz's.

Or is clipper the best balance of damage and manoeuvrability for this stage in the game?

I've also not experimented with the high DPS options like PA's or rails. Mostly just engineered beams+MC's. So again, is there some sort of DBS + rails loadout or something that will compare to my engineered clipper?

 

[Fishy]

If you have the ranks, you may want to try the FAS and FGS. The FAS is surprisingly manoeuverable after the FDS and may be just the kind of firepower/nimbleness you're after. As for the FGS, not only does it pack up tons of firepower, but it can also carry a SLF. Both ships have core military slots too, that will markedly improve your survival.

 

[Bomba Luigi]

Not sure what your problem was with the Vulture because he sound exaclty like the ship you are asking for. Dominating CZs with that one since he got added to the game.

Other then that maybe the Courier? Dunno really, hes pretty good at combat and all but I never tried him in a CZ.

 

[Thetele]

FAS and FGS, you didn't like vulture but that is also great. DBS and courier are also good, but have less dps. Clipper hasn't be seen as combat ships since 1.2 and 1.3 when vulture, fdl, fas and fgs were added.

 

[Hooplah]

The Fed Assault Ship seems to be what you desire. More weapons slots than a Vulture, the strongest tanked hull in the game (shields on an FAS are an afterthought) and decent boost speed/maneuverability. Still all these ships work well if one has the skills required to fly them. Those who swear by an Anaconda do so because they have figured out what they do best and can take advantage of it. You are also missing out on not putting some time in on fixed cannons, plasma accelerators and rail guns which are the most powerful weapons in the game. Everyone starts with lasers and multi-cannons. Continuing with them is not taking advantage of better ship purchases. I loved the guy who in 2.3 Beta tested the Dolphin with rail guns! It works!

 

[StiTch]

You're always going to be making a tradeoff somewhere. Decide where you want your tradeoffs to be - what you're happy NOT to be perfect - and you are easier to help than saying what you do want to be good. Because let's fact it everyone "wants" their combat ship to be fast, agile, powerful and well defended.

As above FAS is nice and agile, wants bi-weave shields but even then you're going to expect hull damage and to have to manage hull/module damage, and it hasn't got speed, which means against tougher enemies you need to learn to evasion tank because you will seldom have the zip to keep out their sights entirely. In PvE with modified thrusters it's arguably one of your better options here.

You can always be yet another person to try the FDL, but its agility requires control to get the most out of it, and not everyone wants that or appreciates a C4 weapon that doesn't track well when gimballed (can't fire against ships unless they're low in your canopy view).

 

[Mechanist]

A G5 dirty drive Vulture with 2 Plasmas annihilates every ship bigger than itself in a CZ.
Especially clippers.

 

[CmdrChorusLindarr]

I'm wondering if there is something I'm missing. Some sort of high DPS, small/medium, option that can dominate cz's.

Fer-De-Lance seems to be the favourite among many here...

Never fought in one myself.

Imho, a fully engineered Python is miles better than the Clipper for CZ. Much higher DPS and with G5 Dirty Drives, it flys like a beast. I love it myself.

OTOH, I enjoy flying the Anaconda space cow in CZs too. Sure it's as slow as a space cow, but I love having the huge hardpoint and meaty shields. Plus I love being able to deploy a SLF whenever I feel like taking out a smaller more maneoverable craft during the middle of a fire-fight.

 

[Rulyam Van Houten]

Fully engineered FDL is totally overpowered in PvE CZ combat. Usually I don't lose even one full shield circle while using up all ammo.

FDL in CZ is actually too easy to be really fun.

 

[StiTch]

Fully engineered FDL is totally overpowered in PvE CZ combat. Usually I don't lose even one full shield circle while using up all ammo.

FDL in CZ is actually too easy to be really fun.

Yeah, that's its problem. I state above that it's easier to recommend a ship based on what disadvantages one is happy with, but the FDL kinda breaks that rule. If you take a few moments to get used to its handling, it genuinely has no combat downside other than not having immense hull tanking ability - which won't bother most PvE players, especially when it's fast enough to boost straight out of trouble if by some god given miracle the shields get taken down.

 

[JonSnowman]

I should have mentioned, i flew the fdl in between the fds and the python. Speed was good but the DPS felt low, even with 4 multis.

I did try canons and PA's in the fdl, as well as in the huge hp in the conda, but neither seemed to do as much damage as 2-3 large multi cannons.

I'm conscious of the penalty for medium/small hard points and wonder if that's why my clipper feels like it has more DPS (using the two large). I did like the DPS of the python but the clipper is so much faster and agile, i am prepared to sacrifice 1 large slot for that.

 

[Chris Simon]

The most fun I had in some time was when I stripped a Courier down to bone, keeping only one PS railgun. I got her close to 800m/s and I was just zooming around and stealing kills. By the time my tank was empty, I haven't been shot at once!

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

I used to use my FDL for CZs.

Then it randomly stopped being fun. Lol

So now i take my slightly more vulnerable Python.

Turns out that also invincible too.

It's still a blast though, grade 5 dirty drives, and i run 3 large pulse, and 2 guided missile racks (soon to be Packhounds, when i get around to installing them).

Not the most effective setup, but loads of fun.

Bring plenty of synthesis materials for the missiles.

 

[Gavin Burke]

Fully engineered FDL is totally overpowered in PvE CZ combat. Usually I don't lose even one full shield circle while using up all ammo.

FDL in CZ is actually too easy to be really fun.

I barely lose the first ring in my engineered Vulture either...

 

[DocPossible]

Fully engineered FDL is totally overpowered in PvE CZ combat. Usually I don't lose even one full shield circle while using up all ammo.

FDL in CZ is actually too easy to be really fun.

this.


I'm currently flying an all lazers gunship in CZs and it's pretty good fun. The SLF doesn't last very long, but my pilot is learning fast

 

[Deleted member 115407]

You should be able to dominate CZs in just about any combat capable ship, OP.

A heavily engineered Viper IV is pretty much CZ god-mode.

 

[CmdrChorusLindarr]

I should have mentioned, i flew the fdl in between the fds and the python. Speed was good but the DPS felt low, even with 4 multis.

I did try canons and PA's in the fdl, as well as in the huge hp in the conda, but neither seemed to do as much damage as 2-3 large multi cannons.

I'm conscious of the penalty for medium/small hard points and wonder if that's why my clipper feels like it has more DPS (using the two large). I did like the DPS of the python but the clipper is so much faster and agile, i am prepared to sacrifice 1 large slot for that.

I just can't seem to get past the crappy shields on the Imp. Clipper.

I've never fully engineered one, mind. I have one Clipper that I use primarily for mining. Maybe it's time I give a good once over and see what it can do in a CZ [big grin]

 

[IndigoWyrd]

For CZ, I have to play the Python card.

I can drop in a CZ in mine and stay until my ammo is exhausted, my synthesis supplies are exhausted, and I am exhausted, and my Python is like "What? I'm just getting warmed up here."

 

[Mechanist]

Fully engineered FDL is totally overpowered in PvE CZ combat. Usually I don't lose even one full shield circle while using up all ammo.

FDL in CZ is actually too easy to be really fun.

Agreed.

Any fully engineered ship is too easy in CZ especially when you have capital ships taking part in the battle.
The side you take usually wins so that you end up waiting for new enemy ships to drop in. And when they do they don't last long in the concentrated fire from your party.

I don't know if they did something to the CZ lately, but I've travelling from war zone to war zone in the last two weeks grinding for Dekker and had always the same result (flying a G5 Python)

 

[Kyennamo]

I should have mentioned, i flew the fdl in between the fds and the python. Speed was good but the DPS felt low, even with 4 multis.

I did try canons and PA's in the fdl, as well as in the huge hp in the conda, but neither seemed to do as much damage as 2-3 large multi cannons.

I'm conscious of the penalty for medium/small hard points and wonder if that's why my clipper feels like it has more DPS (using the two large). I did like the DPS of the python but the clipper is so much faster and agile, i am prepared to sacrifice 1 large slot for that.

The Clipper is a great ship that gets a bad rap because most people dont understand it. I have played for 2 years, have every ship in the game fully outfitted and engineered and i always come back to the Clipper as my favorite.

As stated by others, your other options are basically a FGS, FAS, or FDL. A Corvette is also a good option if you have the funds/rank.

Personally, i say engineer the hell out of the Clipper. Bi weave shield with thermal mod and boosters for a resistances of 50+ across the board, DD5, Reactive surface with a lvl 5 thermal mod, HRPs with lvl 5 heavy duty, lvl 5 charge enhanced power distributer and then overcharge the hell out whatever weapons you are using.

Thank me later