Cutter Build for Trading?

aioun

aioun
Hey all,
So I've searched around the internet for info, but haven't found anything really concrete.
I enjoy trading, so the bigger cargo the better. I started with an ASP, upgraded to an Anacondo, and did well. Then I moved to a Type-9 Heavy, which is where things went south. Because I load up and stack so many missions the AI went crazy and I was constantly getting interdicted and blown up. Frustrating. So I went back to the 'Conda, but because I'd advanced in rank, it seems that I am still attracting a LOT of NPC attention.

In my 'Conda, I win the 'mini game' about 70% of the time, but when I lose (or submit before I lose), my shields are gone within seconds and even though I'm boosting and launching a fighter, I get blown up. I simply cannot outrun the NPC ... and often I'll get multiple NPS's. The failure mission cost, plus the rebuy is not fun.

So, I've ranked up in both Fed and Empire to acquire either a Cutter or a Clipper. From what I've read, the Cutter is the way to go.

For reference, I'm concerned with PVE, not PVP. I am not much of a fighter, I am adequate, but I don't enjoy fighting, so I'm looking to get away with my ship and cargo intact from an NPC interdiction.
So with this in mind, what configurations would you recommend for maximum cargo, with maximum shields (and boosters) with appropriate power plan and powder distribution etc.
I would be doing near system trading so fuel tank and jump range aren't a big deal. A moderate range FDS is adequate and a low range fuel scoop (in case I end up in the Pentitent) is needed.

I do not have access to prismatic shields, nor guardian stuff yet. I could investigate those, but at this point I'm looking for a build with what I currently have access to. I realize this ship will cost 800-1000m credits.

What are some suggested builds please?
 

Mr T

Mr T
I would A rate your thrusters, power distributer (for escaping NPCs), and of course the FSD for jump range. It would be good if you could engineer them as well but not necessary. The cutter is much quicker out of the gate than the T9. If you stick to the higher security systems for trading you'll get some help from the cops too.
 
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CptArcher

CptArcher
Here is my Cutter trader. Sometimes I'll run it shieldless when trying to trade quickly, or I'll run it with limpets when I'm doing long distance trading and I'd like to also collect mats, or I will run this build when I'm trading locally and need to be safe but I don't need to worry about fuel. The Cutter is my main trading vessel.

Even shieldless, the cutter can withstand one attack. I'll only do it if it's worth it but I usually won't stay and fight, but if I do stay, I have enough hull to win. My shielded Cutter does require guardian shield boosters. It's enough shield that I've never lost an NPC battle, or even when I face a wing of NPCs, and my shields recharge extremely fast and use resistance augmented boosters for the extremely fast recharge. Notice I switch to lightweight bulkheads when shielded but reactive when shieldless. I like multicannons because they are low draw and can strip shields. They may not work as fast as beams but I like them just how they are. I've never lost cargo thanks to the point defenses, one on top one on bottom. I like to farm mats with the limpets even if it means reduced cargo capacity. I never run from a fight and will stay at least to collect the bounty but the mats are a nice bonus.
 
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Zannry

Zannry
Here is my Cutter in it's normal configuration. No problems outrunning or outfighting NPCs. Durable enough to easily avoid player threats in open too.

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All in all, you don't need much to be successful trading in a Cutter. You can easily get away with the below.

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goemon

goemon
assuming you have access to engineering ... my trade conda as well as t9 and trade python have a full set of seekers, half of them engineered for thermal damage.

boost - flip - fire - flying backwards. npc will go into defense instead of pursuing mode, which allows me to either finish them, wait for system security or charging the fsd.

for stacking trade missions on my bubble account like you do i use a trading corvette with all lightweight mc. guardian boosters. i have a similar backup for my main accounts cutter.

with the cutter the whole trick is to fly backwards and fire all mc with 4 pips to shield imho
 

CMDR Mayhem

CMDR Mayhem
Try not to get greedy with maxing out your cargo slots. Everyone does it the complains when they lose it all.
A true trucker(open mode players mostly) always brings full shields and guns.
PvE pirates turn into easy mats then.
I have a cutter setup with over 700 cargo, 3600 non prismatic shield, 40lyr jump, seekers, lasers, multis...etc., mildly engineered setup. Very capable setup, not so cheap but can do it all basically.
Oh, and ya gotta get dirty drives asap.
 

DragonIV

DragonIV
MadDogMurdock said:
Lead the interdiction vector, don’t chase it.
I.e if the vector is on the right but moving left, you should be turning left - leading its direction

That should beat 99% of NPC interdictions, even in a T9.
Click to expand...
It does, even in a D-rated T9. OP, drop your throttle into the blue zone (you do have a key mapped to 75% throttle, right? Use it!). I'd say I win 100% of mine, I haven't lost an NPC interdiction in forever. Even those Elite Mambas can't dump my Trader Cutter into local space. But honestly, I do delivery missions in a vette and "submit" to interdictions to give these AIs a piece of my mind (and perhaps a bit of lead for their trouble).
 

CMDR X

CMDR X
After finally unlocking the Cutter I sold my turd hauling T-9 and went to work beefing her up.
Where that big cow was getting whooped left and right this thing is unstoppable. Sometimes
I just take her out to the CNB for some carefree pew. Still need some work here and there but
she gets the job done.

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X.
edit to add: You could get away with regular 6A shields if you don't have Prismatics yet.
 
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Northpin

Northpin
You can never have too many Cutter builds.

When i got my first Cutter, i used this build for trading (NO engineering)
With Engineering, this - no more fuel scoop, but 117ly range laden should be enough - if not, fit the Fuel Scoop again.

Since last year WHN repairs event, i'm running this Cutter - when i need to go really long range, i fit a size 4 Guardian FSD booster and eventually a size 5 Fuel Scoop.
 

CMDR Harada

CMDR Harada
Just about anything works in a Cutter. I'd suggest the biggest Prismatic shields you can fit, a few HD boosters, and Dirty Drive 5. Engineer the shields/boosters to have max resistances.

After that it doesn't really matter for PvE. Laugh as the NPCs try to breach shields more sturdy the the rock of Gibraltar ( if you loose the interdiction ). Most of the time you can fly away and they can't match your speed. I usually put turrets on the pylons with LR burst lasers so I can shoot behind me. You can pelt them all day long, staying just outside the 3km range so they can't respond. Makes for easy mats and a trading "bonus".
 

pnellesen

pnellesen
Here's my PvE Trading Cutter build (fully engineered on everything):

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No weapons, doesn't need them. Submit, boost, and wake-out if I get interdicted.
 

Mrat13

M
If you really want to get away, you just need to A rate it. Nothing can mass lock you, and any NPC that can keep up with an A rated cutter, doesn't have the firepower to get through the shields. I know some people fly shieldless, but the Cutter was made for shields. While it has a weak hull, it's shields are the complete opposite.
 

Cmdr Eratosthenes

C
Best shields you can manage (if you can engineer, good) + shield boosters. G5 FSD mod (and Guardian FSD boost if you can be bothered messing around for it). Best thrusters & distributor you can manage. Lightest/lowest output power plant you can run. As much cargo space as can fit after everything else.

Guns are a waste of time if you're trading; if you want to pew pew, set the ship up for it otherwise leave them off. You need to do the largest cargo capacity run in the fastest time, not waste time blowing up NPC's for small change
 

goemon

goemon
I never saw any need for a-class thrusters on a trading cutter .... with engineering it gets fast enough with d-class to outboost any npc anyways. same for distributor - undersized engineered a-class more than enough, at least if you run a full MC build (and why shouldn#t you for a trading cutter).
 

Marklar_

Marklar_
Just to rub it in :)

fiveA.jpg
 
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