Ship Builds & Load Outs About to get my first Cutter, but I dunno what for anymore. (PvE)

5m4llP0X · Feb 10, 2019

It's been a grind for the rep, but I'm nearly there. I'm drawing a blank on good builds for what I want. Money is no object and I have every local engineer at rank 5. I was debating on using it as a Thargoid hunter, but is it's maneuverability too limiting for that? And if not that: what about CZ fights? I know my friend's type 10 just wrecks even high intensity CZs and the cutter's a better shield tank.
I initially wanted it to replace my conda for mining painite. I got 75% into 4 ranks below Duke before other games drew me away, so I feel compelled to finish the grind.
I know "Any ship can be good at any role" is a stock answer, but that's also like saying you can complete Skyrim by leveling only speechcraft, mercantile, restoration, and enchantment. You can, but it's really painful to play and not suggested.
Could I get some build help for Thargoid? I'd be doing this in a team effort, hopefully. Buddy's type 10 and my Cutter. If that's not suggested (again, see Skyrim comment. I don't wanna make this painfully hard on me) I could go with another ship.
If that's not advisable what about CZ? Also: I know Guardian shields don't stack with boosters, but are they useful for keeping defenses up in these?
Here's what I was thinking about doing for a CZ build: https://s.orbis.zone/24bo As for Thargoid: no clue.

Bortas · Feb 13, 2019

Wouldn't recommend guardian shield boosters on a Cutter. They add too little to the Cutters already enormous shields, and you really really want a more sturdy hull in case of phasing or reverberating cascade attacks.

Currently using this build:
https://coriolis.io/outfit/imperial...8gASOAQAAA==.CwegDCBM4gbKECmBDA5gG0SEBGM+YIwg

Rebel Yell · Feb 13, 2019

Big boat is good for robbing.

5m4llP0X · Feb 14, 2019

Bortas said:
Wouldn't recommend guardian shield boosters on a Cutter. They add too little to the Cutters already enormous shields, and you really really want a more sturdy hull in case of phasing or reverberating cascade attacks.

Currently using this build:
https://coriolis.io/outfit/imperial...8gASOAQAAA==.CwegDCBM4gbKECmBDA5gG0SEBGM+YIwg

Thank you for replying. And thank you for the info about the hull attacks. Sometimes I forget about that when hulltanking in the Chieftain. I just have a few questions:
Why prismatic over bi-weave? I thought the point of bi-wieve is to recharge shields fast if they run out?
I'm also seeing 2 shield cell banks but only 1 set of heat sinks. With an overcharged engine isn't that just gonna roast my modules?
Power plant: Overcharged 5 with thermal spread offers a better thermal rating and lower weight than a Monstered Overcharged 4. Was this for integrity or to lessen the cost of engineering components?
Sensors: I read that either A-rated light weight or D-rated long range. Is that info outdated or is there some reason behind D-rated and lightweight?

JetsonRING · Feb 15, 2019

I have billions, every ship I want (more than one Cutter), access to all the Engineers, my Cutters are fully outfitted, A-rated and modified and they mostly sit in the hangar. Underwhelming and much too expensive for the tasks I mostly use them for, the same goes for the Corvettes, too. o7

5m4llP0X · Feb 15, 2019

JetsonRING said:
I have billions, every ship I want (more than one Cutter), access to all the Engineers, my Cutters are fully outfitted, A-rated and modified and they mostly sit in the hangar. Underwhelming and much too expensive for the tasks I mostly use them for, the same goes for the Corvettes, too. o7

So, what would you suggest for a good CZ ship and what would you suggest for a great Thargoid ship?
For CZ: I want something that will sustain the full engagement of an HCZ and I don't have to be a god-tier pilot to be there (So no Cobra IV build please)
For Thargoid: I'm looking to get into dealing with them and I want something that'll work in a solo or wing.
I thought the Cutter could cover either option and was hoping for some ideas on how to build them properly.

GJ51 · Feb 15, 2019

5m4llP0X said:
Sensors: I read that either A-rated light weight or D-rated long range. Is that info outdated or is there some reason behind D-rated and lightweight?

I have to question this as well seeing that mass has almost no effect on a Cutter due to it's already high initial mass. If you use long range turrets, i would think you'd at least want sensor range to take full advantage of the range of the weapons capability.

Bortas is far more experienced at combat than I am, so I'd be interested in the thinking on this as well. I didn't look closely at the power constraints on this build, so that may be a factor. I have a Cutter that's very similar, but i don't really test it to it's limits due to the crazy re-buy.

Generally, if i feel like pew-pew (rare indeed) I grab a Vulture

Hooplah · Feb 15, 2019

I have a FAS totally dedicated to taking out Thargoid Scouts. It is fast, maneuverable and doesn't cost a lot should I lose the encounter. Sometimes less is more. It works for me. The bottom line playing this game is not what you fly but how well you fly it. You decide and learn well from your mistakes.

5m4llP0X · Feb 15, 2019

GJ51 said:
I have to question this as well seeing that mass has almost no effect on a Cutter due to it's already high initial mass. If you use long range turrets, i would think you'd at least want sensor range to take full advantage of the range of the weapons capability.

Bortas is far more experienced at combat than I am, so I'd be interested in the thinking on this as well. I didn't look closely at the power constraints on this build, so that may be a factor. I have a Cutter that's very similar, but i don't really test it to it's limits due to the crazy re-buy.

Generally, if i feel like pew-pew (rare indeed) I grab a Vulture

I loved the vulture, until the glass shattered. Then I hated it. But once that was repaired I loved it again.
For some time I've had warm fuzzies with the Chieftain. Hits hard, dodges well, and laughs off almost any attack against it. I've also found fun in shooting out enemy Chieftain engines and watching them just spin endlessly.

Hooplah said:
I have a FAS totally dedicated to taking out Thargoid Scouts. It is fast, maneuverable and doesn't cost a lot should I lose the encounter. Sometimes less is more. It works for me. The bottom line playing this game is not what you fly but how well you fly it. You decide.

Sounds awesome. Can you give me some thargoid loadout pointers? Maybe a build to look at?

Hooplah · Feb 15, 2019

5m4llP0X said:
...Sounds awesome. Can you give me some thargoid loadout pointers? Maybe a build to look at?

A build won't help you. Experience does. Then you will figure the best ship that works for you.

5m4llP0X · Feb 15, 2019

Hooplah said:
A build won't help you. Experience does. Then you will figure the best ship that works for you.

All I know is that AX weapons only work against them. I just want a general idea on what ships work best to train against them and what modules/weapons to use or avoid using.

Hooplah · Feb 15, 2019

Standard weapons also work. Not as good as Thargoid specific weapons but flying a fast ship and avoiding incoming fire and corrosive effects one will get to Combat Elite taking out Scouts where every kill is Elite rated. I and others could write pages on how to do this. But then you are missing a wonderful aspect of the game figuring it out. Can't wait? YouTube has a few videos.

5m4llP0X · Feb 16, 2019

Hooplah said:
Standard weapons also work. Not as good as Thargoid specific weapons but flying a fast ship and avoiding incoming fire and corrosive effects one will get to Combat Elite taking out Scouts where every kill is Elite rated. I and others could write pages on how to do this. But then you are missing a wonderful aspect of the game figuring it out. Can't wait? YouTube has a few videos.

I don't really care about "missing out" on the wonderful experience of rebuy. Thank you for being unhelpful.

Captain Jack Sparrow · Feb 16, 2019

I spend most of my time in my trade cutter. Built one for exploratio for a Sag A visit, upon return she'll be a pirate ship. Love flying the cutter.

Bortas · Feb 16, 2019

5m4llP0X said:
Why prismatic over bi-weave? I thought the point of bi-wieve is to recharge shields fast if they run out?

With 8.5k MJ and a C8+C6 SCB you are not going to run out any time soon. The Cutter ist a lumbering behemoth and will be under fire most of the time anyway, preventing Bi-Weaves from recharging. But I have to admit that my build is optimized for PvP engagements... for PvE feel free to replace the prismatics with bi-weaves.

I'm also seeing 2 shield cell banks but only 1 set of heat sinks. With an overcharged engine isn't that just gonna roast my modules?

One heat sink launcher is sufficient to handle them... just a matter of timing:
Fire a heat sink and one SCB right after that... as soon as the first SCB starts charging (after 3.5s), fire the second SCB. Your ship won't overheat if you get it right.

Power plant: Overcharged 5 with thermal spread offers a better thermal rating and lower weight than a Monstered Overcharged 4. Was this for integrity or to lessen the cost of engineering components?

You are right.

Sensors: I read that either A-rated light weight or D-rated long range. Is that info outdated or is there some reason behind D-rated and lightweight?

Sensor range doesn't really matter, so D-rated lightweight is the default go-to mod. In a Cutter it doesn't hurt, if you go for long range if you prefer that, though.

5m4llP0X · Feb 16, 2019

Bortas said:
With 8.5k MJ and a C8+C6 SCB you are not going to run out any time soon. The Cutter ist a lumbering behemoth and will be under fire most of the time anyway, preventing Bi-Weaves from recharging. But I have to admit that my build is optimized for PvP engagements... for PvE feel free to replace the prismatics with bi-weaves.

This makes sense, thanks.

Bortas said:
One heat sink launcher is sufficient to handle them... just a matter of timing:
Fire a heat sink and one SCB right after that... as soon as the first SCB starts charging (after 3.5s), fire the second SCB. Your ship won't overheat if you get it right.

And I just read the fixed the issue with multiple banks firing at once, so that invalidates my next question/worry.

Bortas said:
You are right.

So, thermal spread or monster?

Bortas said:
Sensor range doesn't really matter, so D-rated lightweight is the default go-to mod. In a Cutter it doesn't hurt, if you go for long range if you prefer that, though.

True. Though, I have a good laugh when my chieftain found targers 11KM away (Long Range A-rated overkill) and they weren't even a disorganized blip on my friend's radar. Thank you for the input. I really appreciate it.