Advice on weapons load out for an Imperial Clipper

LeetNoob · May 31, 2015

So I have finally got the cash to combat load out my Imperial clipper but I can't decide on the weapons load out.

I currently use C3 gimballed pulse lasers and C2 gimballed multi cannon's but I find the multi cannons a bit slow and annoying, especially during reloading. I have got very used to my Vulture with just C3 pulse's.
What do others recommend for a combat load out for this ship? I intend to take on larger targets and smaller ones will be easy enough regardless of the setup.

RabidRich · May 31, 2015

Go with a fixed c3 beam always, and then whatever gimballed weapons you fancy on the 3 others. I recommend large gimballed pulse/burst and whatever mix of pulse/mc/cannon you fancy on the meds.
The beam is very useful when you get Chaffed and also is the best long range weapon in terms of hit consistency and aim correction. Within 1km use the pulse and MCs for efficient damage and subtargetting on hard to hit targets.

Alex Brentnall · May 31, 2015

Yep, big beam lasers and smaller cannons work well.
If you are up for a lower damage but no ammo cost setup go for pulse lasers on the medium hardpoints. Useful for staying in those RES sites longer.

In short always go beams on the big hardpoints because the Clipper has tons of power and pretty good heat management. From heat standpoint 4x beam isn't great.

Jon Jaymes · May 31, 2015

About to fit out the final 2 hardpoints - already have gimballed MCs on the medium. Going to fit C3 gimballed beams on the wings. Fixed is better for dmg, but I like gimballed because my dogfighting skills are not great (getting too old to keep up with the younger crowd and their reaction times). Even gimballed beams will shred the shields of most vessels, Used to have them on an asp and they were great even though they were medium hadpoints, not large as on the Clipper. Beams will also shred the hull on the smaller ships.

Tried a burst laser, cannon and frag-cannon in the Beta as a weps test. Burst laser slightly better than pulse, but nowhere near beams. Frag-cannon useless - on target then slipts and all parts miss. Cannon good dmg, but so slow to fire and travel to target, so will stick with the MCs for up close hull attacks on larger ships. Will run away from Pythons & condas

Jon Jaymes

PS Get the A class power dist module as a must

LeetNoob · May 31, 2015

Ok thanks all. I'm gonna go with C3 gimballed beams and C2 gimballed multi cannons I think.

CMDR DoubleSkulls · May 31, 2015

For PvE I think the cannons may be better than the MC, as the MC are better against small ships, and the lasers are perfectly capable of taking them down. its only the bigger ships you need something to help kill them quicker.

RabidRich · May 31, 2015

That is solid for pve- only elite NPCs chaff, infrequently. But I still highly recommend 1 beam is fixed. Gimballed beams are horrible over 1km, with more time off target than on due to wavering.
Some Fixed weaponry is great for chasing fleeing players or NPCs(piracy), and mandatory should you get in a PvP fight. You can always still use the gimballed weapons in the gaps between chaff which invariably occur, but you NEED a fixed weapon for the legwork.

LeetNoob · May 31, 2015

Ok some things to think about here. Good arguments for fixed beams and for cannons. I'll try a few different load outs later to see which one I prefer. Nows the time to experiment before the resell tax comes in. Thanks all for the replies.