AX CZs: How do I run away when the interceptors show up?

Dagwit

Dagwit
So I'm in Kekenk, Doing My Bit in AX CZs for humanity, and not at all merely racking up combat XP.

Being new to combat generally, never mind AX combat, I naturally try to execute a graceful withdrawal when the interceptors show up. My Brave Sir Robyn drill is:

Retract hardpoints
Engage supercruise
Pips to engines
Boost
Select Shutdown Field Neutraliser firegroup

I start as soon as I hear "Interceptors coming in hot!" Once this drill is executed I'm ready to deploy the Shutdown Field Neutraliser at need. But I'm having a problem.

My understanding is that the way to use the SFN is to listen for an announcement, "Energy surge detected", count off three seconds, and activate the Neutraliser. But in this case there doesn't seem to be an announcement before the Shutdown Field is fired. So I don't know when to fire the Neutraliser.

What, if anything, am I doing wrong? Should I be counting off a set number of seconds from the initial announcement that the interceptors are inbound? Or is there something else I'm missing?

The crumpled remains of my FGS and I would like to know.
 
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CMDR Big Mike

CMDR Big Mike
In my experience, the 3 seconds has been too long, try 2. Also you have to hold the trigger down. It is best to have full pips to SYS if you are using the neutralizer. Also, if you are just fighting scouts, it may be better to stick to NHSS threat 4
 

Dagwit

Dagwit
CMDR Big Mike said:
In my experience, the 3 seconds has been too long, try 2. Also you have to hold the trigger down. It is best to have full pips to SYS if you are using the neutralizer. Also, if you are just fighting scouts, it may be better to stick to NHSS threat 4
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Agree with you about the NHSSs; the thing is though I would genuinely like to feel that I'm contributing to the larger game, and according to the post at the head of this section, there aren't currently any systems in infestation.

As for the Shutdown Field Neutraliser, my problem isn't how long to count so much as when to start counting.
 

SYN_Mars

S
There is a sound the interceptors make when they let go their EMP pulse. It is usually the last thing I hear before finding myself sitting in a darkened drifting ship - timing the pulse without exausting SYS is tricky. NB: the EMP, Caustic damage comms warnings are bugged for me in the AX CZ.
 
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Dagwit

Dagwit
Marcus Tullius said:
Probably your FA is on :) Turn it off, boost away and you will survive 30 sec shutdown without Shutdown Field Neutraliser.
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Good point. Next time I'll boost and turn FA off. I tend to do that while leaving stations these days, so I can get maximum distance in minimum time while lining up with my jump target (and practising FA Off), so it won't be a complete novelty.

Edit: and once I've boosted, full pips into SYS in case I do get lucky with the Neutraliser.
 
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Dagwit

Dagwit
Factabulous said:
I SC when they announce them incoming, so leave before they arrive, but I haven't done it much, so could have got lucky.
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Sometimes I make it, sometimes I don't. On one occasion, I believe I was entering supercruise just as the Shutdown Field fired. I found myself with working flight controls but no cockpit displays. I had to relog to get them back. In retrospect I should have tried to drop out of supercruise first.
 

BDelacroix

BDelacroix
You can wait a second or more. They don't always immediately appear. I actually wait to hear the warning (which doesn't always happen unfortunately). Then again, I do actually intend to hang around to see what kind of interceptors because I can handle some of them.

So your plan seems sound. Just be ready, listen for the warning. Hold the button until you see the blue wave pass over you.
 
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