Frustrated with missions fighting wings of 3+

cmdrJulios

C
With a maxed out Viper I have no problem taking on any ship, including Anacondas. I don't mind a long 20min dog fight against a tough opponent but I am frustrated with missions that end up in a fight against a wing of 3 or more ships. I can take out a wing of 2 but 3+ seems nearly impossible. Using defensive measures such as the chaff launcher and shield cells I can just about get through the targets shields and take 20% of the hull but by then the other ships in the wing have cut through my shields and I have to run or die.

I am not sure if there is a direct relationship between the mission bounty and the probability of a wing but it seems if I take a mission that is > 130,000 credits there is a good chance that I will end up against a wing of 3+. It's frustrating not being able to take the higher value missions - are there any good tactics for a solo ship to take on a wing?

Here are the possible tactics I have considered:
Defensive: i.e. stop wing taking out my shield while I am engaging the target:
- Upgrade shield cell (but power management on a viper is a balancing act so there is not much room for more power draw)?
- Switch armour from military grade composite to mirrored or reactive surfaces?
- Fight-run away-fight-run away-etc: basically run as soon as your shield is down - keep running until your shield is back then re-engage: limited success with this

Offensive: i.e. kill target faster:
- Use a missile rack? I currently use gimballed beam lasers and a combo gimballed multi-cannon and cannon combo. The beams are effective at shields but I am wondering if I can lock on to the target and fire off a bunch of missiles for a quick kill?
- Other high damage, low ammo weapons for the quick assassination attempt?

Other:
- avoid certain missions: any good way to tell which missions are more likely to end up in these un-winnable 3+wings
- join a wing:

It would be awesome if Elite allowed you to buy a wingman or two that followed you around ...

Cmdr Julios
 

Soopyyy

S
The Viper simply isn't good enough to take on such a challenge unfortunately. I've managed it in a Scout, but only by the skin of my teeth.
 

Vow

Vow
Could give the railgun a try, you can also disable worthless modules(like the cargo hatch) to squeeze more power in and even carry multiple shield cell banks disabling all but one of them, when the one Shield cell bank runs dry, disable it and then re-enable the other ones you disabled earlier. From what i heard Missiles are pretty terrible at the moment but i suppose it wouldn't hurt to give them a try.
 

Schmack

Schmack
Outfit with turreted beam lasers and set them to fire at will when you encounter that scenario, then just fly it like you stole it. The guns will do the work. Get some distance, go FA/OFF and spin her around so they are lined up chasing you. You can keep them in front of you that way.
 
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Morbad

Morbad
Best bet is to take out the weakest, fastest, targets first, disengage until your shields are ready, then finish off the main target when he or she is alone (or before it tries to jump out).
 

pryzm

P
Had this problem with a mission a few weeks back, had to fail it and lose rep. the problem was it was an assassination mission that said the required rank was Novice.. so of course you expect it to b fairly easy. However the target was in a python with 2 wing men in vultures.. all of them ranked competent and above.. so how is this a novice mission?

It should tell you if the target has been seen travelling in a wing in the mission text AND what the suggested player rank should be to complete it, not the minimum to take the mission.
 

Falcon_D

Falcon_D
Hello,
I've actually been wondering about this same thing as well. I go for a novice or below rated mission and I end up facing a wing of Masters and above, flying Vipers and Anacondas. Wish they would fix the mission level required rating and at least tell you if your target is a wing. I just run when I see this and drop the mission.
 

Steve72

S
Unfortunately missiles are no good as most of the time they have pds.

You could draw the faster targets away but be careful go to far any you seem to loose the main target from instance and have to start again.

Small beams are quite effective and med multi or cannons. Its hard I struggle in scout. You can fit two banks of scb in. Problem if wing man is a vulture and your shields go quicker than expected. Went back to python and boom just take the target out and leave.

Small ships are a challenge. Fun frusyrating oh and have decent lifesupport.
 

cmdrJulios

C
Axelsson said:
What is your current Viper loadout?
Click to expand...

Here is my loadout - largely designed for conflict zones but I am interested in missions to progress federation rank with a view to getting a Sol pass:

viper-setup.jpg
 

Ism

I
pryzm said:
Had this problem with a mission a few weeks back, had to fail it and lose rep. the problem was it was an assassination mission that said the required rank was Novice.. so of course you expect it to b fairly easy. However the target was in a python with 2 wing men in vultures.. all of them ranked competent and above.. so how is this a novice mission?

It should tell you if the target has been seen travelling in a wing in the mission text AND what the suggested player rank should be to complete it, not the minimum to take the mission.
Click to expand...

When I get a wing of Python with Vultures, I take out the Python first. The NPC Vulture pilots are idiots and hardly protect the Python, unlike a couple of Couriers, Vipers, Cobras or even Sidewinders.
 

Morbad

Morbad
A Viper can do these missions, it's just not easy. There is no absolute requirement of any craft, just an adequate skill level for the craft you employ and sound tactics.

Anyone can do these in a Vulture, but you have be quite good to do them in a Viper.

cmdrJulios said:
Here is my loadout
Click to expand...

10-15 tons too heavy.

Get rid of the hull reiforcement, use an A class FSD, drop the shield booster for another chaff launcher, use an A3 shield gen, and an A2 SCB. Have FSD, fuel scoop (if any), and cargo hatch on lower priority than the rest. Tweak weapon loadout to fit remaining power.
 
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cmdrJulios

C
Morbad said:
A Viper can do these missions, it's just not easy. There is no absolute requirement of any craft, just an adequate skill level for the craft you employ and sound tactics.

Anyone can do these in a Vulture, but you have be quite good to do them in a Viper.



10-15 tons too heavy.

Get rid of the hull reiforcement, use an A class FSD, drop the shield booster for another chaff launcher, use an A3 shield gen, and an A2 SCB. Have FSD, fuel scoop (if any), and cargo hatch on lower priority than the rest. Tweak weapon loadout to fit remaining power.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips on the load out Morbad! Sounds good - In the meantime I cheered myself up with a 200k+ credit mission shooting civilians - took a while but got there in the end and had fun evading the cops
 
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