AX - shields or no?
- Thread starter molgrips
- Start date
There are very few situations where I won't throw a biweave on even my beefiest of hull tanks. It is a returning damage sponge, however little it is, it almost certainly prevents more damage over the course of a fight than an HRP would have added. There is more to it than just that, of course, with system and power demands depending on build, but an enhanced low power, low draw bi-weave (even with no other support from boosters or guardian shield modules) rarely seems like a worse idea than an HRP to me. Fed Gunship with its low shield value, as it would take several shield cycles before it would match an HRP, and ViperMKIV (because one can never have enough Viper4 builds) are the two pure hull tanks I have run for AX.
To solo interceptors the idea is keep cool, FA Off and orbit while shooting…. Having no shields aids in keeping you cool and helps this very specialised fighting technique that only a handful of dedicated commanders are capable of.
Biweave fast charge shields are very useful in these current CZs so for me/my builds I’ll always take a Biweave.
Biweave fast charge shields are very useful in these current CZs so for me/my builds I’ll always take a Biweave.
I used to fly AX shielded, now I fly AX shieldless...as @HRDiagram said above, different approaches...
Shields can work, but the problem you'll run into is distro draw. You need heat sinks to stay cold, and those run on SYS capacity, and if you're draining your entire sys capacity regenerating a broken shield, you'll take a lot of damage.
That's why there are basically two approaches that can work; the massive shield tank is the classical approach, where you just use a prismo and kill them before your shields go down. But another way that can work is to use a very SMALL shield, one that can regenerate fully without draining your sys capacitor, one you can use silent running to burn off caustic without wasting all your HP. I ran my python with an enhanced low power biweave and nothing else. You basically use it in replacement of a repair limpet controller. It will go down quickly, but then it comes back just about as quickly.
That's why there are basically two approaches that can work; the massive shield tank is the classical approach, where you just use a prismo and kill them before your shields go down. But another way that can work is to use a very SMALL shield, one that can regenerate fully without draining your sys capacitor, one you can use silent running to burn off caustic without wasting all your HP. I ran my python with an enhanced low power biweave and nothing else. You basically use it in replacement of a repair limpet controller. It will go down quickly, but then it comes back just about as quickly.
As I say there is a big difference between going one to one with a Interceptor (Cyclops, Basilisk, Medusa or Hydra) vs being in the middle of a melle war zone CZ with Interceptors, Thargons, Various Scouts not to mention the odd Ganker. Yes to go specimen hunting leave the shields at home but to fight a war Shield Up!
Lo draw biweaves are pretty easy on sys cap, make you much less pip pressed than fast charge.
On a shieldless ship, the lightning attack is somewhat less harmful (still terrible, but it doesn't deplete anything), the Thargon swarms cause less damage, there's less pressure on pip management (less focus on SYS pips) and you can remove caustic damage by using silent running.
On the other hand, a shielded ship is more forgiving if you get direct attacks from the interceptor.
I am no AX combat expert, by any stretch of the imagination, but in my experience, a shielded ship is for tanking, a shieldless ship is for subtlety.
I'm usually fighting shield-less 2 minutes into an interceptor fight anyway cos I like to really get in their faces.
Getting shielded Krait II's below 20% is a lot easier.
I am having this debate with myself right now … I currently have this built ready to take on Scouts in the new CZs:
s.orbis.zone
But without even having used it yet, I am already wondering if something like this would be better:
s.orbis.zone
As I say … for Scouts in CZs … I will roll a Krait or a Chief if I get brave enough to go after Interceptors …
Coriolis EDCD Edition
A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous
s.orbis.zone
But without even having used it yet, I am already wondering if something like this would be better:
Coriolis EDCD Edition
A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous
s.orbis.zone
As I say … for Scouts in CZs … I will roll a Krait or a Chief if I get brave enough to go after Interceptors …
AFMS can repair your canopy. I just added one to my build today on my shieldless chieftain. I was able to fully repair it my canopy 3 times during my next outing and so I could last longer in combat. Its a size 3 module.