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Newcomer / Intro As Eagle or Sidewinder
- Thread starter Kroktar
- Start date
Sidewinder is small and nimble, but the basic ship lacks the thrusters (upgrades in outfitting) to be at it's full potential. With better thrusters you may want more power-generator and better Power-distribution. Both ensure that you can utilize the thrusters better.
The Eagle is even more maneuverable, faster and more deadly - it can carry 3 weapons vs the Sidewinders 2 weapons.
However, any *mass* you add (including fuel, cargo, weapons etc) will make them heavier and less maneuverable. Hence you can upgrade them in outfitting if you have the money for it.
And a skilled combat pilot always looks after the weight, the current power-consumption and jump-range capabilities. You need to watch these as you upgrade your ships during outfitting.
Even so, before combat we may jump between system to make sure we spend the fuel than normal so we can maneuver better. There's no method to drain fuel yet, so you need to get rid of some (not all - always maintain 30% while in a system where you can refuel).
The Eagle is even more maneuverable, faster and more deadly - it can carry 3 weapons vs the Sidewinders 2 weapons.
However, any *mass* you add (including fuel, cargo, weapons etc) will make them heavier and less maneuverable. Hence you can upgrade them in outfitting if you have the money for it.
And a skilled combat pilot always looks after the weight, the current power-consumption and jump-range capabilities. You need to watch these as you upgrade your ships during outfitting.
Even so, before combat we may jump between system to make sure we spend the fuel than normal so we can maneuver better. There's no method to drain fuel yet, so you need to get rid of some (not all - always maintain 30% while in a system where you can refuel).
No, it's a good question. What makes it a good question is that it is hard to answer. The best guide is the rating of the ship. If they are marked dangerous they probably have good gear. Harmless or mostly harmless are likely to be easier. You should also, as you've noted, keep in mind the ship types. It's unlikely that you'll take out an anaconda or python in a sidewinder, but you might be able to take a cobra or eagle, all depending upon skill and loadout.
I would recommend starting out by just testing yourself in situations where you can fight 1 on 1. Start small, other sidewinders, then haulers, then eagles, then Vipers, then Cobras, then Asps. By the time you're comfortable with those you'll likely be in a better position to judge the rest.
I would also suggest investing in a shield booster as it will let you reinforce your shields if you get into a scrap and are out classed (or just want to dump everything into engines and weapons).
Best of luck!
I would recommend starting out by just testing yourself in situations where you can fight 1 on 1. Start small, other sidewinders, then haulers, then eagles, then Vipers, then Cobras, then Asps. By the time you're comfortable with those you'll likely be in a better position to judge the rest.
I would also suggest investing in a shield booster as it will let you reinforce your shields if you get into a scrap and are out classed (or just want to dump everything into engines and weapons).
Best of luck!
Just wanted to second what Errantthought mentioned - great info - and to further stress it's much more about your piloting skill and your ship's outfitting than anything else.
I wouldn't consider myself the best of pilots, but with an almost fully upgraded Eagle (just need to upgrade my 3B thrusters to 3A), I'll often take on Anancondas and Pythons. It takes forever to kill them since I'm working with 2 pulse lasers and a multicannon and it's even more drawn out if they're above a Competent rating, but the Eagle's so much more maneuverable they can almost never hit me - I just sit on their six and chip away. I do tend to avoid the Dangerous and higher rated Condas/Pythons - they've generally got enough firepower to pretty much one-shot me if they do manage to get a firing solution.
Bottom line, with practice it's possible (but not easy) to take a upgraded starter ship and kill the toughest ships in the game - something I think is a testament to some rather brilliant design. That said, I think Errant's advice to start small with 1 on 1 fights is spot on - don't try to kill anything bigger than a Cobra. Even those may pose a serious challenge if they're highly rated. Always have an exit strategy in mind - there's no shame in running from a opponent who clearly has you outmatched. And if you're planning on a lot of combat, definitely grab a Shield Cell module as suggested.
Good luck, and fly safe!
I wouldn't consider myself the best of pilots, but with an almost fully upgraded Eagle (just need to upgrade my 3B thrusters to 3A), I'll often take on Anancondas and Pythons. It takes forever to kill them since I'm working with 2 pulse lasers and a multicannon and it's even more drawn out if they're above a Competent rating, but the Eagle's so much more maneuverable they can almost never hit me - I just sit on their six and chip away. I do tend to avoid the Dangerous and higher rated Condas/Pythons - they've generally got enough firepower to pretty much one-shot me if they do manage to get a firing solution.
Bottom line, with practice it's possible (but not easy) to take a upgraded starter ship and kill the toughest ships in the game - something I think is a testament to some rather brilliant design. That said, I think Errant's advice to start small with 1 on 1 fights is spot on - don't try to kill anything bigger than a Cobra. Even those may pose a serious challenge if they're highly rated. Always have an exit strategy in mind - there's no shame in running from a opponent who clearly has you outmatched. And if you're planning on a lot of combat, definitely grab a Shield Cell module as suggested.
Good luck, and fly safe!