Advice on flight techniques when attacking an Elite NPC Anaconda from a Python

[Aashenfox]

thanks for the details Aashenfox! You're right about the need for point defense. I could've probably also used a HRP in place of my smaller passenger cabin as the increase from one 5D HRP with engineering is quite good.

I don't want easy mode with this; the challenge is what makes it fun and is why I tend to use that Viper Mk III in bounty hunting for most things. Also, I have a Type-10 with the multicannon setup you've described and, you're right, it is pretty easy taking down even Elite Anacondas in that.

I didn't want to go with Military Bulkheads as I've engineered my Lightweight Bulkheads to G5 which adds hull integrity without the weight.

Very welcome m8, but there's no middle ground here. There's no changing just one cabin. You're either a shield tank with a bit of utility (keep a couple of passenger racks, and run when the shields go down), or you're a hybrid death dealer that fears nothing and your ship has nothing but hrps and mrps, and I mean nothing! Except the shield of course.

 

[Redomus]

thanks for the details Aashenfox! You're right about the need for point defense. I could've probably also used a HRP in place of my smaller passenger cabin as the increase from one 5D HRP with engineering is quite good.

I don't want easy mode with this; the challenge is what makes it fun and is why I tend to use that Viper Mk III in bounty hunting for most things. Also, I have a Type-10 with the multicannon setup you've described and, you're right, it is pretty easy taking down even Elite Anacondas in that.

I didn't want to go with Military Bulkheads as I've engineered my Lightweight Bulkheads to G5 which adds hull integrity without the weight.

Lightweight heavy duty is fine, my piracy python is setup as light weight, for the extra speed/manouvering. Strictly for liberating low temperature diamonds, however most of the internals are chock full of limpets and such as is the nature of the beast - it can handle a fight as long as you dodge most of the incoming fire. It has a very light hull tank, but a larger bi-weave shield and still carried 128t of booty. It can be done, you dont have to go all out combat - it would be optimal for the task of pure killingsmanship but the python is a mighty good multi-role once you get he hang of the quirks and flight model.

I even downsized the distributor and pp to save on mass, but thats getting into fine tuning and depends very heavily on pip management. Wont stand up to a fully combat oriented ship in a straight fight, but it is generally fast enough to tank and duck out if things go south. The good thing with the new engineering system is you can tailor it to your playstyle with no pain of extreme rng - but I think first master the pips/moving, once you do that everything else will fall into place.

 

[Stealthie]

IMO, dusting big, high-ranked, ships is all about breaking the shields.

If you can't break the shields quickly, they'll usually use an SCB (and if they have one, they seem to have half a dozen) and you're back to square one.

If it was me, I'd fit a couple of C3 efficient beam lasers and a C2 rail-gun to accomplish that.
I'd then fit long-range MCs (with corrosive and incendiary FX) in the remaining C2 slot to mince the hull.

Annies aren't very agile so you should be able to get a couple of shots with the rail before they boost.
You can then keep attacking the shields with the lasers while it's manoeuvring and then hit it with the rails again when it slows down.

Once the shields go down, start shooting with both lasers and MCs, and keep taking shots with the rail when the opportunity arises.

 

[Hellakitty]

There is also this to consider: the best way to kill an Elite NPC Anaconda with a Python is to get an FdL.

 

[bicarbon8]

IMO, dusting big, high-ranked, ships is all about breaking the shields.

If you can't break the shields quickly, they'll usually use an SCB (and if they have one, they seem to have half a dozen) and you're back to square one.

If it was me, I'd fit a couple of C3 efficient beam lasers and a C2 rail-gun to accomplish that.
I'd then fit long-range MCs (with corrosive and incendiary FX) in the remaining C2 slot to mince the hull.

Annies aren't very agile so you should be able to get a couple of shots with the rail before they boost.
You can then keep attacking the shields with the lasers while it's manoeuvring and then hit it with the rails again when it slows down.

Once the shields go down, start shooting with both lasers and MCs, and keep taking shots with the rail when the opportunity arises.

thanks Stealthie, that's an interesting approach. I tend to rely on my burst laser's Scramble Spectrum special effect (which I've just noticed didn't show up in the EDSY links) to cause problems on the target ship while also whittling away at the shields. I never seem to have much luck with rails as the delay in firing throws me off, but maybe, if I were to use fixed beams as a laser guide for my rail, I might have better luck.

 

[AzraelDirge]

hi, I think you've misunderstood... the Viper does very well in these situations. I don't mind a long fight, as long as I've a chance of winning. Also, the Python is equipped for passengers and I was only taking a quick break as a distraction. It does very well in NPC combat in most situations, but against an elite anaconda I found that my normal tactics of hanging behind them wasn't working.

I've misunderstood why anyone would go into combat without at least putting a gun on every hardpoint. You are actively hurting your piloting with the Viper build, as the undersized dist and PP mean you cannot boost as frequently as good build would allow, and are thus lowering your speed and agility. The build may work against trash level NPCs, but you've now discovered it's limit. As other have told you, the python is not meant to do what you're asking of it, and the underbuilt drives further hinder you. I can't address why you're losing to an elite conda purely in terms of piloting with these ships any more than I could tell someone why they can't win an F1 race in a Honda Civic by improving their driving. You may be an outstanding pilot, but that means nothing when you're flying a ship that cannot deliver what you ask of it.

thanks Stealthie, that's an interesting approach. I tend to rely on my burst laser's Scramble Spectrum special effect (which I've just noticed didn't show up in the EDSY links) to cause problems on the target ship while also whittling away at the shields. I never seem to have much luck with rails as the delay in firing throws me off, but maybe, if I were to use fixed beams as a laser guide for my rail, I might have better luck.

Scramble spectrum has no effect unless it's striking hull. It won't cause malfunctions on a ship with shields up.

 

[bicarbon8]

I've misunderstood why anyone would go into combat without at least putting a gun on every hardpoint. You are actively hurting your piloting with the Viper build, as the undersized dist and PP mean you cannot boost as frequently as good build would allow, and are thus lowering your speed and agility. The build may work against trash level NPCs, but you've now discovered it's limit. As other have told you, the python is not meant to do what you're asking of it, and the underbuilt drives further hinder you. I can't address why you're losing to an elite conda purely in terms of piloting with these ships any more than I could tell someone why they can't win an F1 race in a Honda Civic by improving their driving. You may be an outstanding pilot, but that means nothing when you're flying a ship that cannot deliver what you ask of it.

my Viper can boost constantly with 4 pips to engines and can fire constantly with 1.5 pips on Weapons. Engineering made all the difference here. The Viper works well against Anacondas; it's the Python that struggled. I know why I'm losing in the Python; its because my normal tactic of staying behind them wasn't working. What I was asking for help with was some new tactics that I might employ with the Python when my old tactics weren't working.

as to the question of not putting a gun in every hardpoint: when using enhanced performance thrusters, weight management is extremely important. more guns = more weight

 

[Gorr]

I am using my Python for almost anything, from missions to material gathering on planets. I even do CZones with this "do it all" configuration, and never had problems:
https://eddp.co/u/SLwt7cE5

It is now even faster but coriolis is still not updated with new engineer effects.

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

I didn't look at your build (those links don't open for me for an odd reason...).

But I generally target their power plant, and strip them of their shields ASAP. Ram if you need too.

Then keep above and behind them with some clever use of thrusters, and fire down on the power plant.

My Python uses 3x pulse lasers and 2x Packhound launchers, so if the Anaconda launches an SLF, the Packhounds make short work of it.



Although, the power plant sniping isn't working right now, so my current tactic would be target the weapons and utilities else and neuter them with Packhounds.

 

[Correct]

Asks for help...
Suggests actually using guns
No, not THAT kind of help!

 

[bicarbon8]

Scramble spectrum has no effect unless it's striking hull. It won't cause malfunctions on a ship with shields up.

hmmm... is this a change in 3.0... I could've sworn that http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Scramble_Spectrum used to say "strikes to shield or hull" and not just hull

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

I concur.

Shoot it until it explodes, then shoot the explosion just to be sure.

Then ram the debris.

Can never be too careful...!

 

[bicarbon8]

Asks for help...
Suggests actually using guns
No, not THAT kind of help!

sorry, where did I say I didn't want to add guns to the Python? are you misreading the comments pertaining to the Viper (which I didn't ask for help with, but provided as an example of a ship that does fine against Anacondas) and assuming I am rejecting feedback?

I don't expect you to read all the posts, but if you are here to provide criticism, please read all the posts first.

 

[Redomus]

hmmm... is this a change in 3.0... I could've sworn that http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Scramble_Spectrum used to say "strikes to shield or hull" and not just hull

Been like that for a long while now, even before 2.4 iirc - but its no matter, you can just keep the trigger down on those all day, they run out of cell banks eventually and its exceedingly useful for shutting down the pesky small ships like eagles and vultures.

 

[Stealthie]

thanks Stealthie, that's an interesting approach. I tend to rely on my burst laser's Scramble Spectrum special effect (which I've just noticed didn't show up in the EDSY links) to cause problems on the target ship while also whittling away at the shields. I never seem to have much luck with rails as the delay in firing throws me off, but maybe, if I were to use fixed beams as a laser guide for my rail, I might have better luck.

Presumably, you're aware that when you're on-target with a fixed-weapon, you get an extra circle (or brackets- I forget) appearing on the crosshairs?

I'm not expert when it comes to using rails but the irony is, they're more useful when you're flying a big, powerful, ship cos that's when the game sends big, powerful ships against you - and they're sloooow.

I fitted a pair of C1 rails to my Cobra to make it into a "big hitter", but the game only ever sends things like Vultures and FDS's after me when I'm flying it so the rails aren't much use.
In something like a Python, though, you do get ships like Annies and Corvettes coming for you and hitting them with a rail is a piece of cake.

As soon as they appear on your scanner, target 'em, turn to face them (FA off to do it faster), scan 'em, and then get a couple of shots into them with the rail, throttle-up, pass 'em, FA-off turn around and then use vertical/lateral thrust to strafe while shooting with lasers.
When they boost, don't speed up but follow.
After boosting, that's when they'll turn for another direct attack and you can hit 'em with the rails again.

Best way to get used to rails/PAs (IMO, at least) is to fit them to your big ships first, cos that's when you'll meet other big ships you can successfully use them on.
As you get more comfortable with the delay, you can start using them on more agile targets.

 

[AzraelDirge]

as to the question of not putting a gun in every hardpoint: when using enhanced performance thrusters, weight management is extremely important. more guns = more weight

There is a cargo rack on that build.

 

[GG7]

Avoid head-on passes since Condas (and Vettes) tend to run with Rails or Plasmas and need a line of sight on you to fire those weapons. Try to stay on their 6 or close to it as much as possible. With a focused effort to deny them those head-on passes.

You would be wise to be running at least one of the largest SCBs you can handle as well. NPC Condas of the Threat Level 4 variety have been known to resort to ramming when the chips are down, and Corvettes do it as just a matter of course, so another good reason to avoid head-on jousting passes. (Unless you are flying a Corvette yourself, where just the opposite tactics apply)

 

[Crank Larson]

When fitted with 6A prismatic, my Python will happily face tank an NPC Anaconda, whatever it's level (I was quite surprised when I realised this). Though if any other ships get involved, it can get a little hairy. Admittedly my Python is fully engineered.

 

[bicarbon8]

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/645/351/5c9.jpg
There is a cargo rack on that build.

What good is a scavenger ship that can't scavenge? Cargo rack is empty while fighting and sometimes, if the dropped cargo is worth it, I'll scoop and sell it in the black market for some extra income.

 

[Vorxian]

If your close, boost and thrust up or down in order to stay in position.

...worked like a charm the other night, shame I lost her number!