Newcomer / Intro Eagle - Upgrade path?

[InBlack]

Hi, newbie here. Not a complete newbie as Ive had quite a bit of experience with flight sims in the past and even played some Elite (cant remember which version though) My question:

What would be the correct way to upgrade the Eagle? Should I get the third hardpoint kitted out first? Upgrade my power supply? Fuel Scoop?

Any help would be appreciated as I dont want to waste my hard earned credits. Thank you!

 

[Logain]

This all depends on what you want your ship to do. Are you aiming for combat / bounty hunting, exploration, mining, trading?

 

[CMDR Sheehy]

I found the Eagle very low on power. With extra weapons I was over. No matter what you want to do you probably want to get a lighter and more powerful generator and a distributor to match first, then fit up according to what you want to do.

Note that fixed lasers are more powerful than gimbaled lasers. You just have to point the ship more accurately...

 

[MaccGyver]

It's really going to depend on what you want to do with it, but since it's a fighter by nature (and the sidey's probably better for anything other than combat) I'm going to answer assuming you plan to do some bounty hunting/combat missions.

I would begin with getting a weapon in your third hardpoint. I run a gimballed muticannon which pairs well with two fixed pulse lasers (was running fixed burst lasers, but had to give them up because of power needs elsewhere). Once you've got three weapons, I'd look at thrusters or the power plant next, but both get pretty expensive for even the C rated stuff so it may take a little saving. Definitely get a Shield Cell module at some point, the Eagle is somewhat paper-like before you upgrade the shields and hull plating (and somewhat construction paper-like after) and I can't tell you how many times the cells have turned what should be a 30k insurance cost into a 4k repair cost. Although I have an open internal slot, I skipped the scoop to keep weight down - I do have to stop for fuel fairly often, but it's a good time to turn in the bounties I've built up since the last refuel.

Bottom line though, there's really no "correct way" - it's all about what you think might be more useful to you based on what you plan to do. Considering a pilgrimage to Sol to see the cradle of humanity? Maybe an FSD upgrade should be prioritized to cut some time off the journey. Just keep whatever goal you've set for yourself in mind, and upgrade as you see fit.

Fly safe, Cmdr!

 

[InBlack]

Thanks for the tips. I guess I should have elaborated a little bit in the OP. Im planning to use the Eagle as a fighter mostly, courier missions to earn some cash before I get into some serious furballs. The twin pulse lasers feel very weak. Ive engaged some hostiles and had no problems staying on their tail but its way too time intensive to get their shields and hull down.

Am I correct in assuming the chain guns dont use as much power as the lasers? Im kind of worried about running out of ammo, since the fights take so long (I guess the beginner weapons are very weak).

 

[Elmasri]

Thanks for the tips. I guess I should have elaborated a little bit in the OP. Im planning to use the Eagle as a fighter mostly, courier missions to earn some cash before I get into some serious furballs. The twin pulse lasers feel very weak. Ive engaged some hostiles and had no problems staying on their tail but its way too time intensive to get their shields and hull down.

Am I correct in assuming the chain guns dont use as much power as the lasers? Im kind of worried about running out of ammo, since the fights take so long (I guess the beginner weapons are very weak).

The multicannons do not use as much power as the lasers. However, the ammo costs do mount up - and as you mentioned, they can run out! Frontier have reduced ammo costs considerably, but it is still not something to ignore.

For the Eagle to be used as a fighter, I personally would suggest upgrading the power distribution (helps with both shields and weapons) and then the power plant. Once you have more available power, you can start looking at better weapons. Again, just my opinion, but I like fixed lasers and gimballed multicanons. The Eagle has a good turn rate, so you should be able to keep the lasers on target, but the multiconnons need to lead the target, so you cannot keep both on target with fixed.

Just remember, lasers are much better for taking down shields than projectiles. The multicannon comes into its own once they are down.

As others have said, there is no 'right' way to do it. It depends on how you want to play.

Fly safe!