Ship Builds & Load Outs Decent cheap Cobra Mk3?

[Gavin Burke]

I only have a few mil credits but want to do a bit of bounty hunting, I love the Cobra Mk3 as it's the fastest so I can run if overwhelmed, and it's got decent agility as I like to close circle targets.

Given my budget and play type, will the following work if I'm targetting low level NPC's (like Mostly Harmless ranks): https://coriolis.io/outfit/cobra_mk...47536e2h.Iw1-kA==.Aw1-kA==?bn=Combat scanning

 

[Momoka Azuka]

For picking on ship of that low a rank your build is fine. That said I'd personally A grade the Power Distributor as fast as possible. But realisticly with the AI as it is now I'd strongly recommend saving up for an A grade Cobra. Or at least a Cobra built for around using it's speed.

 

[Ceekay]

If you can stretch to a 3A power dist I suggest you do so, it'll allow you to boost more frequently and fire weapons for longer also shield regen/recharge can stall if the systems cap is drained, I reckon the PD is one of the most important part of the ship's systems as it can impact on the performance of so many other components.

 

[Gavin Burke]

For picking on ship of that low a rank your build is fine. That said I'd personally A grade the Power Distributor as fast as possible. But realisticly with the AI as it is now I'd strongly recommend saving up for an A grade Cobra. Or at least a Cobra built for around using it's speed.

What parts need to be A graded to make it an A-grade Cobra, other than Power Dist? AFAIK, those weapons I have are the strongest I can get for 2 x S and 2 M hardpoints.

If you can stretch to a 3A power dist I suggest you do so, it'll allow you to boost more frequently and fire weapons for longer also shield regen/recharge can stall if the systems cap is drained, I reckon the PD is one of the most important part of the ship's systems as it can impact on the performance of so many other components.

I've just got back from a week exploring and that's earned me 3.5mil, so yes I can definitely stretch to a 3A power dist at 150k now

 

[nottheone10]

This is my Hunter build, which I used when used my cobra for bounties. beams to take out the shields and hull on smaller ships and multi cannons to chew the hull of bigger prey.
Most items are 'A' rated.

 

[Gavin Burke]

This is my Hunter build, which I used when used my cobra for bounties. beams to take out the shields and hull on smaller ships and multi cannons to chew the hull of bigger prey.
Most items are 'A' rated.

Ooh never had a ship with upgraded bulkhead before, 10mil is a little more than I have though (although I expect I can save 1.5mil by chopping off that advanced scanner?)

How does the power work thought being over 100%? Do you have to turn stuff offline to get the scoop online etc.? I'd probably chop the scoop off too as I'd always be hunting within the bubble so probably in a system with a station that has refueling, also the extra cargo so could potentially have 3 x 2D hull enforcement for 570 extra hull...

So would be: https://coriolis.io/outfit/cobra_mk...0l0g6o0345272727.Iw1-kA==.Aw1+gjMQ?bn=Hunter (FSD down to 3C for power to be under 100% as I don't need to be able to jump far really)

 

[nottheone10]

if you staying in a small area your build looks good

 

[noldunar]

Hello OP, just looked at your build, here are my two cents:

Power Distro definetly needs to be A-rated, it affects overall performance the most.

You mixed up small and medium lasers and kinetics. I would stick to small lasers and medium kinetics: Reason: Damage against shields is not penalized, damage against hull is. So you want to deal the largest amount of damage against the hull. Against small ships that you plan to target, two class one pulse, burst or beam lasers are sufficient to take down the shields and your kills will be much quicker with the medium multi-cannons.

Shield Cells: A Cobra has very weak shields, so you don't really benefit from shield cells. Since shield cells have a delay it is pretty tough to time them correctly. If you are under heavy fire your weak shields will fail before the cells activate. I recommend getting rid of shield cells and fit bi-weave shields instead. Speed is a Cobra's best defense and your bi-weaves are up in no time. If it gets hot, get out and get back in when your shields are back up.

I would also loose the wake scanner for combat. With a limited budget I recommend this loadout for small prey hunting:


https://coriolis.io/outfit/cobra_mk...727.Iw1-kA==.MwBj4iCYKA==?bn=small prey cobra

Now I tried to stay within a two million budget. If you have more money, definetly get A-rated thrusters. If you turn off cargo hatch and fuel scoop you will have enough power, even with A-rated thrusters.

Your hull gives you enough staying power to get away when your shields are down and the lower ranked NPCs won't have engineer mods.

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Hello again,

also OP, if you are a relarively new player and have limited funds, you might want to check out the thread I made here:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...ts-to-enjoy-core-aspects-of-the-game-post-2-1

 

[Gavin Burke]

Thanks for build noldunar, I should have enough budget to upgrade power plant and the thrusters - quick question, why does every build I'm given have a fuel scoop for a fighter which doesn't need to travel far? And cargo hold for that matter suppose...?

 

[noldunar]

Thanks for build noldunar, I should have enough budget to upgrade power plant and the thrusters - quick question, why does every build I'm given have a fuel scoop for a fighter which doesn't need to travel far? And cargo hold for that matter suppose...?

The cargo hold is just a placeholder, since it doesn't weigh anything while empty and you never know when you come across that floating canister of gold or ancient artifact that you don't want to pass up. You could of course put a 4D hull reinforcement in there as well, but I wanted to keep the Cobra fairly light, it is still heavy with the armor and reinforcements.

Same with the fuel scoop: It weighs nothing and since you can always turn it off when in combat you don't screw up your power management. And you never know when you need some extra fuel to make one more jump, since with the light drive your range is not the best.

Regarding the power plant: Only upgrade as much as you need. No need to shell out 1.6 million and increase your rebuy when an A3 plant with 12 MW, which is light, also does the job. A3 is prefereable over 4D but it is more expensive at 500k.

 

[Tath]

If you wish to fulfil the role of combat pilot in a Cobra Mk III I recommend mastering tactical bursts of Flight Assist Off and using gimballed weapons (to begin with). You may also wish to consider heatseeker missiles in the smaller belly hardpoints and gimballed in lasers in the upper hardpoints.

Mostly Harmless foes as per your original post will typically be little more than target practice. Use missions with weak foes to practice your intended tactics.

 

[Satsuma]

I agree that A-rating the power distributor in that build will give you your biggest bang for your buck. Things like concentrating on shields vs armor is a bit of a personal preference. Your heavy armor build gives you the ability to hang in a fight even after your shields fall, so if that's your playstyle you're in good shape.

The Cobra is fast enough and tough enough that you can take on some pretty decent foes even with a relatively mild build like this. I'd say try it out, and see how you like it. Make modifications as you learn (other than the A-rated PD, which I can't say enough good things about, and you should fit ASAP). Most of all, just enjoy the ship.