I've come stuck unlocking engineers to pimp my dbx exploreer build by either needing combat bonds or a decent combat rank. Combat doest really interest me so i don't want to spend time engineering it, my fed and imperial rankings is very low too, i do have aload of money though, what would be your suggestions? Weapon suggestions would help too, i haven't a clue which weapons are good or not
I have never done a CZ because like you I'm not very interested in combat, being more of a space trucker and explorer. However, I do like to smash pirates etc when they interdict my heavily armed trader conda, so I have put 8 multicannons on it, with incendiary exp efx on 3 of 'em to take out shields, corrosive exp efx on the huge mc, emissive on 1 of the large mc's and oversized on all the others. This simplifies things as I only have aim at one spot and hold down the trigger, no need to even git gud! They're all gimballed btw.
Because I didn't know any better at the time, I went with efficient mc's - if I was to do it again I would go with overcharged. Tho the efficient destroy npc's very nicely!
For more combat-oriented stuff like bounty hunting I use a FDL because that's what the gankers seem to favour, and it does the job for me.
Don't you have to do some Guardian stuff 1st to get AX weapons? Then do a whole load of combat? OP says he's not into combat, so what he needs is a build that can go into a CZ, win the CZ and get some combat bonds. At least that's how I'm reading his post....
I'm tempted to take my heavily armed trader conda to a CZ just see what happens! Then maybe try my FDL, just to see which is best in a CZ. Never done one before so....
Get yourself a Vulture...
It's cheap (and so is the rebuy) and it punches above its weight due to the two large hardpoints, meaning that even though it's a small ship it can take on medium and even large ships and have a good chance of destroying them. It can also have pretty strong shields, and since it's a relatively small target, bi-weave shields also work well.
If you have access to an engineer to put in an overcharged powerplant then it'll be a breeze to set up, otherwise it's a bit power starved.
For weapons, use one laser and one multi-canon. The laser will take down your enemy's shields, and then the multi-canon will take out the hull. Beam lasers are the most powerful, but they can drain your WEP capacitor quickly. Personally I almost always use pulse lasers and find them to be effective.
Another advantage of just having two hardpoints is that you won't need to mess around with multiple firegroups, just use the primary and secondary triggers, which should make it a bit easier to get used to if combat isn't really your thing.
It's cheap (and so is the rebuy) and it punches above its weight due to the two large hardpoints, meaning that even though it's a small ship it can take on medium and even large ships and have a good chance of destroying them. It can also have pretty strong shields, and since it's a relatively small target, bi-weave shields also work well.
If you have access to an engineer to put in an overcharged powerplant then it'll be a breeze to set up, otherwise it's a bit power starved.
For weapons, use one laser and one multi-canon. The laser will take down your enemy's shields, and then the multi-canon will take out the hull. Beam lasers are the most powerful, but they can drain your WEP capacitor quickly. Personally I almost always use pulse lasers and find them to be effective.
Another advantage of just having two hardpoints is that you won't need to mess around with multiple firegroups, just use the primary and secondary triggers, which should make it a bit easier to get used to if combat isn't really your thing.
Would this be good in a CZ? Or would a heavily armed anaconda or FDL be better?
I used to use a Vulture in a CZ from time to time. It's a relatively small target which is not a bad thing, and because of its large weapons it isn't disadvantaged against bigger ships. (Disclaimer, I haven't been into a CZ for ages now...)
I have never had an Anaconda, so cannot really say, I prefer small or medium ships, but for the OP, assuming they might get the rebuy screen from time to time then the Vulture will be trivially inexpensive whereas a larger ship might hurt a bit more. I would also assume that rather than tanking in a bigger ship the Vulture would be more of a hit and run.
I was actually asking for myself, seeing as I already have the big bruiser and the smaller BMF! Never done a CZ before and this thread has stimulated an interest in trying one. I find the heavily armed conda and the FDL are both great for wiping out npc's, so I might try the conda first then the FDL, see which does the best...
Certainly the FDL is a very powerful combat ship. I have two...
I'd say just make sure that the Anaconda in particular has strong enough shields / hull to withstand an attack as you can get ganged up on in CZ's (certainly you used to be) and you'll need the time to escape under fire.
I'd say just make sure that the Anaconda in particular has strong enough shields / hull to withstand an attack as you can get ganged up on in CZ's (certainly you used to be) and you'll need the time to escape under fire.
The Annie doesn't have prismatics, just a regular G5 heavy duty generator, and lots of G5 shield boosters. And shield cell banks, so should be able to tank plenty of damage, though I'll run if things get too hairy!Certainly the FDL is a very powerful combat ship. I have two...
I'd say just make sure that the Anaconda in particular has strong enough shields / hull to withstand an attack as you can get ganged up on in CZ's (certainly you used to be) and you'll need the time to escape under fire.
You'll probably have more fun and be more combat effective in an engineered ship with engineered weapons.
However, if you want to avoid engineering a small or medium combat vessel, and you've got plenty of cash but no Fed/Imp rankings, an Anaconda could be ok if you like big ships. If you prefer mediums, perhaps try out a Python or Krait. Go for energy weapons (lasers) to take out shields and kinetics (MCs) for hull, only two fire groups to handle. Gimballed for higher fire time on target. Equip a collector and limpet cargo for those sweet materials.
However, if you want to avoid engineering a small or medium combat vessel, and you've got plenty of cash but no Fed/Imp rankings, an Anaconda could be ok if you like big ships. If you prefer mediums, perhaps try out a Python or Krait. Go for energy weapons (lasers) to take out shields and kinetics (MCs) for hull, only two fire groups to handle. Gimballed for higher fire time on target. Equip a collector and limpet cargo for those sweet materials.
You can fight thargoid scouts in a solid dbs scout /viper with gimballed macine guns. No engineering req. Ax scanner and weapons is handy, but just bought at a military base, its not guardian tech that needs unlocking. Not especially req for scouts though.
An alternative option to a cz.
Head to a low RES as the targets will be easy kills with authority ships for backup, also ranking up with Tod requires Alliance bounties so pick a RES in an Alliance aligned system.
Engineering modules with cheap mats will also increase rep with no combat involved just collect lots of sulphur and carbon to progress up the grades.
Engineering modules with cheap mats will also increase rep with no combat involved just collect lots of sulphur and carbon to progress up the grades.
OP can engineer multicannons with Tod. He'll get lots of rep with Tod for the engineering, and get his mc's engineered, so he won't be getting battered in combat, he can do the battering!
Standard weapons do negligable damage to Thargs. You need AX or Guardian weapons and they're limited to 4 (in any combination) per ship. It is possible to take them out with standard weapons, but I wouldn't recommend it.