That's interesting. Downsize the shields by one grade and run higher SCB's on both builds. Had not considered that. I assume Prismatics would be the way to go in PVP since you're not concerned with extended ops like with a Haz Rez.
That's a pre-3.x technique but I am pretty sure the rationale still holds true; you get more use(MJs) out of the larger slots with the SCBs there and running a smaller reinforced prismatic.
It depends on the ship and how you like to build/play.
Prismatics have very low broken recharge so once they are down, they are basically down for the fight.
On my FGS, Krait, Chieftain I only have ~400 MJ biweaves but they all have around 4K armor.
But the shields might go down/come back many times during one fight.
I also don't use SCBs on those at all.
Since some ships have terrible shield modifiers to begin with, pumping up the shields makes little sense.
You can often get more damage absorption by using HRPs.
It also frees up power and pips with a biweave/hull tank build.
That said the FDL more or less needs to use shields, but it can often be seen with bi-weaves or prismatics in PVP.
Biweaves are generally considered the higher skill/evasive flying build, and prismatics, well, not so...
I changed a lot of your base engineering too btw.
Don't overlook those.
I even set basic power priorities.
I also assume all weapons should be fixed aim, or is there a place for gimbals in PVP?
I would recommend learning fixed but gimbals are not a "hard no" based on what I've seen.
You'd be terribly susceptible to certain counters but running a mixed or even full gimballed build can definitely work.
And until I unlock both APA and Imp Hammers (2 months or so), what do you suggest for FDL weps? (I do have a pair of PackHounds).
APAs are c3, sorry that was sloppy writing on my part.
Don't use those on an FDL.
1 huge(TLB), and 2 med(dispersal/dazzle) efficient PAs and 2 long range(feedback/super pen) rail guns are a standard combo.
I suggest getting familiar with that.
If you can hit people with that build all the other stuff is cake.
I mix in one APA on my FGS and Krait, just so I can spam the TLB effect.
Normal PAs/rails are a golden combo imo.
Hammers and APAs are just for their specific benefits, or for fun.
I've had Scramble Spectrum used on me when I did some short PVP stuff last year, and was impressed how effective it was, that's why I mounted a pair of burst lasers with that along with the Inertial Damage. I also have Pulse Lasers, rapid fire with Scramble.
Scramble works fine but it doesn't stack afaik.
If you want to do kinetic damage, a kinetic weapon makes more sense to me.
All phasing builds can work really well, but I think it got nerfed recently.
I suppose if I mount a OC Cor MC on the huge slot I'll need medium weps to help take shields down? I have 2 medium railguns with plasma slug/premium ammo exploit, another deep pen RG, enough PA's that I've tried an entire PA FDL build and pretty much all other weps that are not powerplay.
I think it's overthinking things to worry about taking shields down like that since you'll be running into engineered shields. (ie you don't know what the resistances will be.)
I try to get the most damage for the least power/distributor, with the strong caveat that low time on target is preferred.
Also, because of the previous point, absolute damage generally gets the nod.
I have all engineers in the bubble unlocked and own 90% of the ships in the game, I think the Type 10 and Alliance ships are all that I don't have. Thinking about the Chieftain, read some good things about it for PVP. I have 4 legacy engineered small missile launchers, 2 for FSD interrupt and 2 deep penetrate. Could use 3 of those in the small hardpoints. Like I really need another ship LOL. I've got so many weapons I have to buy Dropships just to store them and keep my stored modules under 120.
Late last year I left ED for about 8 months, I just ran out of things to do. Disadvantage of playing so much. Right now I'm working the BGS hard to expand my player faction, but that will take maybe another month or two to meet our goals. Getting spooled up for PVP is about all I have left. And getting the Guardian tech for my PVP builds, althou that won't take long. Being retired I have the luxury of spending 8 or more hours per day playing, but the being old part that goes with that makes me wonder if I'll ever be really competitive with PVP
Again, thanks for all the info guys.
I really like the Chieftain too.
Do you have the Yuri Grom missiles?
Sounds like you're having fun to me!
You can always fight other old farts like yours truly.
o7
