COMPLETED CG Repel the Thargoid attack in the Witch Head Nebula (AX-Combat)

[Gibbon]

Another option would be to remove the "opt-in" gameplay around Thargoids. If Thargoids could interdict us in supercruise, and did so intentionally (like the regular annoying NPCs do all the time), and do so in random systems at the edge of an actual war front, this too would make them scary, since most players are not flying AX ships most of the time.

To be fair this does happen. I've been a fierce critic of the opt-in version of things since day one as it removes all danger from the game whatsoever. Bear in mind, Thargoids do interdict you, i've been pulled out of Hyperspace numerous times but nothing has ever happened. Just a quick look from the Tharg and then off they go, no nicking your stuff, no probing, just a pointless encounter.

Hark back to the good old days of Elite when you were pulled out of witchspace by the Thargoids and were lucky to get back into normal space in one piece. Now if that happened as you mention with npc encounters, things would be different and we all would find them far more dangerous and learn to fear them. At the moment, they are a bit pointless, as they can be avoided at all times, and should you be pulled out of hyperspace by them, all they do is sniff your butt and then fly off.... ooooh i'm so scared...NOT

 

[Vetinari]

They scan you for Tharg or Guardian objects, if you aint got them youre clean, its a Thargoid Customs Checkpoint. Try carrying them and see how optional it is

 

[Factabulous]

Try carrying them and see how optional it is

Very. If you know what you are doing

 

[Vetinari]

I dont know what Im doing.

Last time I boosted and FA off to avoid the shutdown, it still hit me except I was now flying at full speed towards one of the ships which came into view, crashed into it, it turned hostile and started attacking, luckily few seconds later all came back on and narrow escape.

I also got killed by the 'same' Thargoid 2 times and narrowly avoided a 3rd in one of those fleet destroyed signal sources, in the DBX a long time ago but the memory still makes me laugh....and makes me stay away from the Thargs.

I do miss the random Tharg intercepts from 1984 though, they were fun.

 

[VampyreGTX]

I think n

Maybe ...

View attachment 191998

11.5 billion left, 12.5 hours. Slowed down a touch, but you're now getting european players on after work and school, US players get off work/school in about another 4-6 hours. It'll be close, but still think we got it. There ARE players that have also probably been simply banking their bonds as well, which will be turning in soon.

 

[tanner1ie]

With my limited playtime, i only arrived in the area last night for my first taste of Thargoid combat and so far i don't like it.

First of all, it's very annoying having to scan for signal sources not only each time you login in but often after exiting each NHSS.

While i'd read that the scouts had phasing lasers, i didn't expect their caustic missiles to pass right through my shields!

I've never had to bother using point defence turrets before and indeed i normally have all my utlity slots full with shield reinforcements, but since shields are nearly useless against these guys, how many PD's and in which locations do i need to fit on an Anaconda to face a level 5 Interceptor (if i've going to stand any chance of getting into the top 75%, when killing scouts only pays SO little)?

 

[Episparh]

Point defense is useless vs. Thargoid missiles

 

[tolm]

With my limited playtime, i only arrived in the area last night for my first taste of Thargoid combat and so far i don't like it.

First of all, it's very annoying having to scan for signal sources not only each time you login in but offend after exiting each NHSS.

While i'd read that the scouts had phasing lasers, i didn't expect their caustic missiles to pass right through my shields!

I've never had to bother using point defence turrets before and indeed i normally have all my utlity slots full with shield reinforcements, but since shields are nearly useless against these guys, how many PD's and in which locations do i need to fit on an Anaconda to face a level 5 Interceptor (if i've going to stand any chance of getting into the top 75%, when killinh scouts only pays SO little)?

I’ve not personally tried but I believe conventional wisdom is that Point Defence does diddly-squat against Thargoid missiles.

 

[tanner1ie]

Well then, what does defend against them, as they're extremely O.P., being the worst thing about AX combat for me so far - without them, i might somewhat like it :_ ...

 

[Northpin]

With my limited playtime, i only arrived in the area last night for my first taste of Thargoid combat and so far i don't like it.

First of all, it's very annoying having to scan for signal sources not only each time you login in but offend after exiting each NHSS.

While i'd read that the scouts had phasing lasers, i didn't expect their caustic missiles to pass right through my shields!

I've never had to bother using point defence turrets before and indeed i normally have all my utlity slots full with shield reinforcements, but since shields are nearly useless against these guys, how many PD's and in which locations do i need to fit on an Anaconda to face a level 5 Interceptor (if i've going to stand any chance of getting into the top 75%, when killinh scouts only pays SO little)?

Get a Krait with 3 large ax mc turrets and 2 rails - preferably long range and no experimental. The ax turrets will deal with scouts shortly.
Use the rais to overheat your ship and clear caustic damage. And to improve with fixed weapons
alternatively, you can pack a decon limpet and ofcourse some limpets and decon your ship in between fights

 

[oztrich]

I’ve not personally tried but I believe conventional wisdom is that Point Defence does diddly-squat against Thargoid missiles.

I fitted them specifically and they rarely seem to shoot them down.

 

[Northpin]

Atm on PC i can rock cyclops easily using the Chally i posted some days ago, using mostly FA-OFF and 4 small gauss cannons. I can do 2-3 befor having to dock and repair.

On XB its quite the opposite.
Its October Frag Fest.
Using a Conda with 4 large shard cannons (and premium ammo) it can be retardly satisfactory to smack a cyclops that way.
Like using a Jeep to level a sand castle

 

[tanner1ie]

Get a Krait with 3 large ax mc turrets and 2 rails - preferably long range and no experimental. The ax turrets will deal with scouts shortly.
Use the rais to overheat your ship and clear caustic damage. And to improve with fixed weapons
alternatively, you can pack a decon limpet and ofcourse some limpets and decon your ship in between fights

I fitted the decon limpets and in my first sortie, and only got hit with a missle near the end of the fight, and still took 9% damage...

On my next two combined sorties, i was hit by missiles nearly instantly and since you can't use the limpets 'til you escape taking damage, i took 13% damage.

Also rather annoyingly, when i boosted away to get rid of the damn acid, even though my fighter was still engaging the scouts, when i went back, all the scouts were suddenly gone, leaving me with only seven kills from three NHSS - guess i'll have to brave a level 5 source at least once to get into the top 75%, but will i even survive?

Also is it normal that i got Pilot's Federation rank for the kills? - i thought they were neutral, also does their rank unlock anything?

 

[Northpin]

I fitted the decon limpets and in my first sortie, and only got hit with a missle near the end of the fight, and still took 9% damage...

On my next two combined sorties, i was hit by missiles nearly instantly and since you can't use the limpets 'til you escape taking damage, i took 13% damage.

Also rather annoyingly, when i boosted away to get rid of the damn acid, even though my fighter was still engaging the scouts, when i went back, all the scouts were suddenly gone, leaving me with only seven kills from three NHSS - guess i'll have to brave a level 5 source at least once to get into the top 75%, but will i even survive?

Also is it normal that i got Pilot's Federation rank for the kills? - i thought they were neutral, also does their rank unlock anything?

Try to wing with someone that can kill cyclops
And fit some gauss cannons and heat sinks...

Scouts are too cheap - 10k per kill and as you can see, they can be a nuisance

Or, you can fit the full set of repair limpets, afmu and decon limpets and take the damage and repair at the end..

 

[tanner1ie]

Try to wing with someone that can kill cyclops
And fit some gauss cannons and heat sinks...

Scouts are too cheap - 10k per kill and as you can see, they can be a nuisance

Or, you can fit the full set of repair limpets, afmu and decon limpets and take the damage and repair at the end..

I'm flying in Mobius on PS4, which has been pretty dead in the last 18 months, i've had three people wing up in the last six months, while multicrew is just as dead...

While i don't feel like dancing with the pirates in Open - i'll do my best to find life in Mobius tonight, otherwise i'll just dip my toe into a level 5 site alone and hope it isn't bitten off!

 

[wAsh67]

Krait Phantom, 2 AXMCs, 2 Gauss. It'll chew up scouts so fast you can ignore the missile hits. Just mop up the scouts, go to silent running and cycle the FSD without jumping til it hits 180% heat to burn the goo off. I can average between 20 and 30 scouts per outing before running out of ammo and hull and having to return for servicing, the cost of which makes this a break-even adventure if you're lucky. I carry repair limpets as a cost saving exercise, never used a decon limpet.
Unfortunately I'm still struggling to get a hang of Cyclops combat as I haven't quite mastered FA-off and the remote release flak launcher. I can take a couple of hearts but before I can finish it off my ship is a smoking heap of slag......

 

[ADAMtheWELSHMANz]

At first I thought top 75% was a bit harsh on new Cmdrs going after the GFSD unlock, as to reliably get there they needed to be able to kill Cyclops' at least.

However, what if the point (from FDevs view), was to encourge players to take the step up from scouts to Interceptors and try and generate a bit more interest in the AX war?

In that respect it seems to have worked. Every wing I've been in has had at least 1-2 new AX players in it asking for advice and looking for build advice.

Regardless of whether Tier 5 is achieved or not I think that come the next battle there'll be plenty more capable pilots looking to pitch in and contribute.

Do you want to know more?

 

[BDelacroix]

At first I thought top 75% was a bit harsh on new Cmdrs going after the GFSD unlock, as to reliably get there they needed to be able to kill Cyclops' at least.

However, what if the point (from FDevs view), was to encourge players to take the step up from scouts to Interceptors and try and generate a bit more interest in the AX war?

I was in top 75% before I decided to go back to slapping interceptors so the bar wasn't too high to get to 75%. Last interceptor I smacked was before the CG.

 

[Bravo17]

For an interceptor (cyclops) you'll need either a quick hand to deal with a fighter for distraction or a flak cannon to wipe out the swarm.

I find that I can just ignore the swarm while concentrating of the Cyclops'. I know that it is getting me into bad habits for graduating to the higher interceptors, but it works for the CG.

The PD seems to shoot down the swarm missiles, so its not totally wasted on an AX build.

 

[SimpiusMaximus]

Looks like Tier 5 is the most likely outcome....
Now FD can't use lack of interest as an excuse for lack of new xeno content