Ship Builds & Load Outs Considering a thermal/kinetic combo on a Vulture

[paganpenguin]

Normally I run the standard twin gimballed pulse lasers on my Vulture, (see setup here http://coriolis.io/outfit/vulture/04A5A4A3E5B4E3C1e1e07000n-4a5e2o6a2h.Iw19kA==.CwBhGYy6vSg= , I think this is it) with power management it serves me well but was wondering if using a cannon/pulse (or other kinetic/thermal) loadout might allow me to run 4 pips to SYS while keeping just 2 in WEP.

The idea behind this is to increase the bonus to shields via the 4 pips in SYS while minimising the amount that is needed to put into WEP yet maintaining an effective DPS while allowing some additional flexibility with internal modules.

(Sorry if this post makes little sense, had to rush it out before my toddler started press too many keys... the joys of having a young 'un with the reach to hit the keyboard)

 

[fantasmic]

Indeed a mix will nearly always improve your dps, and let you hold the trigger down longer than an all energy weaponry setup to boot. I think the main motivation for the common dual pulse setup is it's ability to extend CZ and RES loiter time. If you don't have a problem with shuttling yourself back for ammo when it runs dry, then feel free to swap one of those lasers for a cannon. (And if you save enough juice I recommend swapping the other laser for a burst or beam. Burst are my favorite)

 

[paganpenguin]

Indeed a mix will nearly always improve your dps, and let you hold the trigger down longer than an all energy weaponry setup to boot. I think the main motivation for the common dual pulse setup is it's ability to extend CZ and RES loiter time. If you don't have a problem with shuttling yourself back for ammo when it runs dry, then feel free to swap one of those lasers for a cannon. (And if you save enough juice I recommend swapping the other laser for a burst or beam. Burst are my favorite)

Thanks for the replies

Was indeed thinking of swapping out for a cannon/burst combo and trying it out in a CZ (was thinking of downgrading some components to try for a beam - will experiment a bit with Coriolis first to get a feel and will probably have to find a high tech, high pop station for outfitting), don't mind the shuttling back and forth too much as using the twin pulse setup is taking too long to down NPC's even in the low intensity zones! Probably end up with a similar Cr/h though...

Another reason for ditching the twin pulses is that I had my first proper taste of PvP against another Vulture. Initially I managed to drive off the other player, but feeling a bit too cocky, decided slightly later to interdict him (or her) without fully rearming (had one chaff and one shield cell left) only for my shields to be stripped within seconds and my hull following moments later. Think they were initially running a twin pulse, but must of upgraded to twin beams... not sure though.

 

[Richard Bentley]

Thanks for the replies

Was indeed thinking of swapping out for a cannon/burst combo and trying it out in a CZ (was thinking of downgrading some components to try for a beam - will experiment a bit with Coriolis first to get a feel and will probably have to find a high tech, high pop station for outfitting), don't mind the shuttling back and forth too much as using the twin pulse setup is taking too long to down NPC's even in the low intensity zones! Probably end up with a similar Cr/h though...

Another reason for ditching the twin pulses is that I had my first proper taste of PvP against another Vulture. Initially I managed to drive off the other player, but feeling a bit too cocky, decided slightly later to interdict him (or her) without fully rearming (had one chaff and one shield cell left) only for my shields to be stripped within seconds and my hull following moments later. Think they were initially running a twin pulse, but must of upgraded to twin beams... not sure though.

I tried a C3 Cannon and C3 Beam laser pairing for a while. Whilst I liked the setup I eventually reverted back to dual C3 pulse lasers. The main reason was that I found I used the cannon so infrequently I was effectively fighting with only 50% of my armaments most of the time. The Cannon / Beam combination was great against larger ships but limiting against everything else. I also tried a Cannon / Burst combination but found that I couldn't get the shields down on an assassination target quickly enough with just one burst laser. Twin burst lasers seemed to use too much power and heated up a lot quicker than I had expected.

Whichever lasers you choose, they are all much more effective at close range (within 1km, preferably within 500m).

 

[paganpenguin]

I tried a C3 Cannon and C3 Beam laser pairing for a while. Whilst I liked the setup I eventually reverted back to dual C3 pulse lasers. The main reason was that I found I used the cannon so infrequently I was effectively fighting with only 50% of my armaments most of the time. The Cannon / Beam combination was great against larger ships but limiting against everything else. I also tried a Cannon / Burst combination but found that I couldn't get the shields down on an assassination target quickly enough with just one burst laser. Twin burst lasers seemed to use too much power and heated up a lot quicker than I had expected.

Whichever lasers you choose, they are all much more effective at close range (within 1km, preferably within 500m).

As I generally try and hug ( Vulture hugs anyone? ) the target then range shouldn't really be an issue, which was what got me onto thinking about a thermal/kinetic split in the first place.

Guess it's just really a case of try and see what I like...

 

[paganpenguin]

Have opted for a cannon/pulse loadout for now which seems to be working well enough for me (RES and CZ only for now - will spend more than a before passing a proper judgement) although perhaps switching around to a burst or even beam might be on the horizon.

Gotta love that cannon sound... might just keep the setup for that reason alone

 

[CMDR Alege Kelso]

I've been flying a vulture for months now, tried the FDL but cant get the hang of it. Currently I use dual gimballed burst lasers, firing time is low compared to pulse but you get a little more damage out there faster. I have in the past flown with a cannon and beam laser, pretty effective all in all, a single beam can make short work of small ships and you can get up close and personal to large ships to get the most out of the cannon. That said I find the ammo capacity to be the real killer to using a cannon. I've also used a beam/pulse combo that worked very well.

 

[GammaZ]

One advantage of beam+cannon setup is that once you've got target shields offline you can go for 4 pips in sys and shoot with cannon. With lucky hits it will take 3-5 shots to take out anaconda's powerplant.
One more thing i tried is plasma accelerator+pulse laser, not as fun as dual PA, but still very effective against big ships, and way easier to kill smaller ones.

 

[paganpenguin]

Currently running a cannon/beam build, although I did have to drop my shield booster so that I had power to run it. Cuts through smaller craft like a hot knife and butter combo while making that lovely thumping sound against larger craft. Seems to work a treat in CZ and RES, but will probably suck squirrels at PvP.

 

[GunnerBill]

I used to run out of cannon shells quickly but now I am much less trigger happy and only fire when there's a good shot on.
So not really a prob.
When you are out cash up your bounties or stick to smaller ships.

 

[paganpenguin]

I used to run out of cannon shells quickly but now I am much less trigger happy and only fire when there's a good shot on.
So not really a prob.
When you are out cash up your bounties or stick to smaller ships.

Yeah, I've gotten used to doing that now as well - although sometimes I get a bit too fond of the sound of the cannon. Last time I spent in a CZ had to refill ammo after trying in vain to hit a NPC Viper a mid range just because I was enjoying the boom sound through the speakers.... must be getting a bit too easily amused in my old age

 

[Dark Skies]

It really comes down to personal preference.
Flying style and what you are fighting have a great effect on the choices.
They all work if you learn to use them.
I prefer two C3 gimballed beams. Yeah they use power quicker but you don't need to fire for as long or rearm.
Swopping pips constantly and firing at optimum times makes them a little trickier but a hell of a lot of fun.

 

[CMDR John Casey]

Outfits I tried:

- C3 Plasma + C3 Gimballed pulse: this was great against large targets in RESs, I could take out condas very easily. The plasma however is very slow, so it's difficult to use it against small targets and in PvP. At the end you are using only the pulse in most cases.
- C2 Multicannon + C3 Gimballed beam: This is great for PvE, I also like the "vulcan-style" MC on the side. The problem is that it lacks some punch for PvP.
- C2 Railgun + C3 Gimballed beam: this is very good for PvP, since you can strip shields off very quickly. Also good for PvE when you're facing large ships, however against the small ones you're using just the beam in most cases...
Edit: also
- C3 Sniper Frag Cannon + C3 Gimballed beam: see Plasma + pulse, with the difference that you can take out shields more quickly

HTH

 

[Pyjamarama]

Thanks for the replies

Was indeed thinking of swapping out for a cannon/burst combo and trying it out in a CZ (was thinking of downgrading some components to try for a beam - will experiment a bit with Coriolis first to get a feel and will probably have to find a high tech, high pop station for outfitting), don't mind the shuttling back and forth too much as using the twin pulse setup is taking too long to down NPC's even in the low intensity zones! Probably end up with a similar Cr/h though...

Another reason for ditching the twin pulses is that I had my first proper taste of PvP against another Vulture. Initially I managed to drive off the other player, but feeling a bit too cocky, decided slightly later to interdict him (or her) without fully rearming (had one chaff and one shield cell left) only for my shields to be stripped within seconds and my hull following moments later. Think they were initially running a twin pulse, but must of upgraded to twin beams... not sure though.

In my experience and fly style, the most outstanding weapon combination is one Gimbaled Pulse and one Fixed Beam.

The gimbaled pulse make continuous damage while you dance around your target.
The Fixed Beam initiate the fight during the approach and finish it at long range if your opponent try to flee.

In an High Intensity CZ you will wreck all size of ship, for glorious Cr/h.

 

[EUS]

Ammo count aside, frag cannons are deadly.
I think I'll try a beam/frag cannon loadout next time I hop in the Vulture.