Weapon Damage: Fixed vs Gimballed

[=Phoenix=]

Hi, I am considering trying fixed weapons to see if the improved damage output is worth their use.

However, one thing I have noticed with gimballed weapons is that if you deselect your target (untarget), a gimballed weapon effectively becomes a fixed weapon, in that it fires directly ahead and does not track the target. A question I have is, when untargeted does the damage output of the gimballed weapon match that of a fixed equivalent weapon? Another question is, does the power usage also drop to that of a fixed weapon, as it is no longer utilising any tracking?

My suspicion is that neither damage or power usage is affected but it would be useful to hear from others that may have tested this scenario.

Unselecting your target can of course be useful in situations where chaff has been launched to confuse gimballed weapons and they are flailing all over the place.

Also, If anybody has any advice about ship size and maneouverability required for fixed weapons or other relevant info, please feel welcome to share.

Cheers.

 

[RowingBoats]

While I haven't tested, I cannot imagine that you get the fixed damage boost by de-selecting the target. You simply minimize the impact of chaff or silent-running.

Anyways, use fixed. They are far more fun.

 

[Faded Glory]

Hi, I am considering trying fixed weapons to see if the improved damage output is worth their use.

However, one thing I have noticed with gimballed weapons is that if you deselect your target (untarget), a gimballed weapon effectively becomes a fixed weapon, in that it fires directly ahead and does not track the target. A question I have is, when untargeted does the damage output of the gimballed weapon match that of a fixed equivalent weapon? Another question is, does the power usage also drop to that of a fixed weapon, as it is no longer utilising any tracking?

My suspicion is that neither damage or power usage is affected but it would be useful to hear from others that may have tested this scenario.

Unselecting your target can of course be useful in situations where chaff has been launched to confuse gimballed weapons and they are flailing all over the place.

Also, If anybody has any advice about ship size and maneouverability required for fixed weapons or other relevant info, please feel welcome to share.

Cheers.

I'm pretty sure you are correct that gimballed don't become fixed in terms of DPS or power usage when used un-targeted.

I use primarily gimballed weapons, but started experimenting with fixed about six months ago. I now use fixed (or a mixture of fixed and gimballed) on four ships. I have a Vulture with two fixed pulse lasers, I find that to be maneuverable enough that I get a decent amount of time on target. Easier with bigger ships obviously, but can also use it against smaller ships Ok, just takes longer to destroy them than it would in my other Vulture with gimballed beam laser and MC.

I have a couple of FDL's with a mixture of fixed and gimballed. Again, I find it Ok getting onto the target, slightly less maneuverable (to me at least) than the Vulture, but the gimballed give me time on target, and the fixed give me extra punch when I get them onto the target.

I also have an iCourier with a pair of fixed pulses. The ship is very much maneuverable enough, but the convergence of the two weapons (I have them on the nacelle hard points) makes it a bit hit and miss.

 

[Tomleyboo]

I was tempted but Im a very average shot so I imagine factoring in all the misses it dpm would be worse then gimballed especially when shooting specific modules. All depends on your shooting skill I guess.

 

[=Phoenix=]

I was tempted but Im a very average shot so I imagine factoring in all the misses it dpm would be worse then gimballed especially when shooting specific
modules. All depends on your shooting skill I guess.

That's what I originally thought, but when you factor in the fact that even gimballed weapons miss quite a lot (at range) and also don't function at all when chaff is deployed, the argument becomes unclear. I think it is very much down to how good at keeping on target you are and how determined you are. In the end, I am thinking fixed weapons are well worth trying out.

 

[Tomleyboo]

If you give it a go let me know how you get on

 

[Deleted member 110222]

No, gimballed weapons do not gain a DPS boost when not locked on.

To get fixed DPS, you have to use fixed.

Depending on your skill level, gimballed weapons may give a higher real DPS by way of landing more hits in a given time frame.

 

[SH4RK-B1TE]

Fixed may do more damage, but the extra time aiming and not hitting every shot probably works out doing less damage. Atleast with gimballed you know when your locked on your going to hit and do damage.

 

[Old Duck]

I recently switched my gimbaled burst to fixed beams on my Viper. I still have gimbaled multicannons in my size 2 slot, which is great for faster targets (and hull damage in general), but when it comes to the larger targets, I do like having the extra punch of the fixed beams over the gimbaled burst. I was hitting one of those Federal tanks with the gimbaled burst all day long and the shields just would not go down. The fixed beams make the difference in a case like this. Oh, and I believe fixed weapons generate less heat and require less power, so I can fire my beams for a surprisingly long time on my little Viper III.

 

[foobaron76]

Beam lasers are one of the few fixed weapons I can actually hit something with, because the beam itself makes it very obvious where you're pointing. I'm totally useless with any other fixed weapon.

 

[Lngjohnsilver1]

Hi, I am considering trying fixed weapons to see if the improved damage output is worth their use.

However, one thing I have noticed with gimballed weapons is that if you deselect your target (untarget), a gimballed weapon effectively becomes a fixed weapon, in that it fires directly ahead and does not track the target. A question I have is, when untargeted does the damage output of the gimballed weapon match that of a fixed equivalent weapon? Another question is, does the power usage also drop to that of a fixed weapon, as it is no longer utilising any tracking?

My suspicion is that neither damage or power usage is affected but it would be useful to hear from others that may have tested this scenario.

Unselecting your target can of course be useful in situations where chaff has been launched to confuse gimballed weapons and they are flailing all over the place.

Also, If anybody has any advice about ship size and maneouverability required for fixed weapons or other relevant info, please feel welcome to share.

Cheers.

the stats of the weapon are the stats of the weapon - how you choose to use it does not affect this fact.

 

[Mr. Stevens Catering]

Just engy the damage of gimbals to get closer to the DPS of fixed.

 

[Iron-Snake-]

Something to consider... fixed weapons on fast combat ships is very useful. Your chances of lining up a clean shot are much higher in a agile ship.

Gimballed and turreted weapons belong on mid sized+ ships. Where in a turning fight they are at a disadvantage.