Completing AXCZs in Solo?

[CMDR D Noize]

I’ve been eagerly awaiting the return of AXCZs ever since I got into Xeno hunting as I had missed it all by that time.

I’ve got access to all the necessary gadgets & weapons, done my share of Scout hunting and after the recent AX CGs I can comfortably kill a Cyclops by myself (got about 50 Thargoid Hearts on my FC now because why not) so I’m not a complete beginner.

Unfortunately due to various reasons I’m basically restricted to Solo Mode at the moment and these AXCZs get pretty crazy pretty quickly from what I’ve seen.
I’ve tried them several times and have to bail way before the fight is over as the NPC ships don’t seem to last very long and before I know it all the bugs are targeting me.

So I was wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks for getting through an AXCZ in Solo?
Routines, target priorities or whatever?

Is it even possible or am I just punishing myself

 

[thargoidspy]

If to complete the whole AX Zone process, you must be able to at least solo Basilisk after the two Cyclops, then potential Medusa, and in the end Hydra. It is for the very best/ most veteran Thargoid hunters. You can find a related video here.

If just to kill the scouts and cyclops (about 50% of the way) then you are pretty good to go.

 

[Katie Byrne]

Is it even possible or am I just punishing myself

Source: https://youtu.be/R7ng2lYSDcQ


of course it's possible make sure your fundamentals are good though - if you can solo a Hydra then the AXCZ is essentially just a few smaller fights strung together with scouts thrown into the mix

 

[[VR] Orodruin]

Yes, it is certainly possible, but your fundamentals in AX must be very good and ideally you should be able to consistently kill a Medusa. Of course, to complete the full AX CZ including the final Hydra, you need to be able to take down a Hydra solo. The human NPCs will be either dead or useless at that point

 

[[VR] Orodruin]

just a few smaller fights strung together with scouts thrown into the mix

Sonds fun ... now if only they would keep them around until I get back from vacations ..........

 

[Katie Byrne]

Sonds fun ... now if only they would keep them around until I get back from vacations ..........

yeah i feel for people like you and Doge misisng out on this due to FDevs unwillingness to inform folks when big events are happening

 

[[VR] Orodruin]

yeah i feel for people like you and Doge misisng out on this due to FDevs unwillingness to inform folks when big events are happening

It would be fine if the content was continuously available. Yet somehow I get the ominous feeling it wont be.

 

[Factabulous]

Having upcoming stuff flagged early is great from a meta-gaming point of view, but sucks from a story-telling POV. Explorers would have loved knowing the double engineered FSD would be available with 6 months notice, but it would have meant no surprise, and 6 months of 'is it now?' threads.

OTOH having AX CZ go missing for ages also sucks - they should be a regular (well, un-rare) occurrence. Again fdev have somewhat shot themselves in the foot here - AX CZ are tied to stations being attacked. Constant AX CZ would imply constant station attacks. Much like this week - there are lots of AX CZ, but also there will be nine stations to repair. Last time that happened for a long period it took the best part of a year for players to repair them all.

Really AX CZ need to be somewhat decoupled from station damage - no reason in RP you couldn't say 'lots of NHSS, and now AX CZ - if you don't defeat them the station is attacked *next week'*. There would need to be a mix with the current mechanic (otherwise we'd hardly ever see damaged stations), but I could see that working.

Or else maybe they're introducing something new in Odyssey, but as they don't tell stuff in advance we don't know

 

[[VR] Orodruin]

they should be a regular (well, un-rare) occurrence

This really. It does not even have to be available all the time, but if it was available once a month I would be happy instead of bitter that I might miss out due to being on vacation the one time they drop ...

 

[Speedcuffs]

Or else maybe they're introducing something new in Odyssey

I hope so.
For me, there's a big difference gameplay wise between NHSS and AXCZs.
Cooperative play.

NHSS, try to wing up, try to instance, try to get a nice NHSS. (Also try not to get kicked from game).

AXCZ, find a busy system, rock up in your Asp Scout, drop in and get cracking. Don't even have to wing up to get involved. Great stuff.

 

[CMDR D Noize]

Yes, it is certainly possible, but your fundamentals in AX must be very good and ideally you should be able to consistently kill a Medusa. Of course, to complete the full AX CZ including the final Hydra, you need to be able to take down a Hydra solo. The human NPCs will be either dead or useless at that point

Yeah I thought this might be the case...I’m just not that good yet, still not managed a Basilisk Solo yet

Cheers for the response ladies & gents

Just gonna have to put in more practice I think.

 

[Several Puffins]

AXCZs are still the most fun I have had with ED in months! I love zipping between interceptors rather than kiting, and I love how busy it feels (at first, before the other NPCs get massacred). I keep having to run for it after a bit of an exchange with the Medusa, but it's so much better than a nhss in my opinion.