Frustrated with Wetwork Job - Skimmers, etc.

[Gruntbuggly]

I'm at my wit's end here - I just don't know what to do. I am doing a wetwork contract which requires me to scan a "hub access terminal" at a high-security settlement.

The problem I've got here is these damn skimmers and defense turrets are so concentrated I can't get near the place in my SRV before getting blown up, and when I take out the defense turrets and generators with my main ship, the skimmers and turrets just keep respawning. I just spent about three hours over the settlement shooting everything I can think of to destroy it and stop these things from respawning, and nothing seems to work.

What am I missing here? What does the communication point for the skimmers look like so I can destroy it/shut it down, and how the **** do I get in close enough with my SRV to do it in the first place?

Seriously - these missions are meant to be difficult, but you'd think they'd, at least, be achievable!

 

[MickyG1982]

"high-security settlement"

Pick missions that go to lower security settlements (the number of + signs mean something) and practice on them.

 

[Ashnak]

However you choose to do the mission - practice. And yes, lower security settlements are supposed to be easier.

"Supposed to be" because I never noticed the difference. As long as you can be on the run out in a fast ship when the alarm goes off, it doesn't matter how many guns, skimmers or ships the settlement has.

Ok, how I do it:
I got a ship specifically designed for settlement (or in general, scan and sabotage) missions. It's a fast (820 m/s boost), shieldless (1000 absolute, 1700 with resistances hull strength) Viper armed with Cytoscramblers and Packhounds. I usually got a few bounties on her which I clean up whenever it becomes too inconvenient or I happen to pass by an IF.

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous

s.orbis.zone

Step 1: circle the base out of its exclusion range. Try to get a fix on whatever you're supposed to target (data terminal, generator) and find out where it is. With my sensors (don't know if they matter), I usually can get a lock a couple of hundred meters outside the exclusion zone.
Step 2: find the right side of the settlement. A position that permits you to both lock onto the target from outside the exclusion zone and leaves you a clear run after the scan. Keep in mind that the timer starts ticking as soon as you enter the exclusion zone.
Step 3: remember to deploy hardpoints. Select the fire group with the datalink scanner in it.
Step 4: dive in towards the terminal. Once you're close (50 meters or so - that's why you're best off in a small ship) the targeting reticule flashes, which means the scanner is in range
Step 5: start the scan
Step 6: while scanning, trigger chaff and go to silent running (makes it harder for them to lock onto you and actually hit you)
Step 7: scan complete - get out. Fast and low.
Step 8: don't forget to switch off silent running before you pull up and go into SC

If your job is to destroy a generator, forget about 3...8. Lock onto your target just outside the exclusion zone, then fire off a full volley of packhounds from both launchers. Laugh maniacally as the ground defense is overwhelmed by 24 missiles streaking in.
Or just go in low and ram the generator to death.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

Two factors play a large part. Security and size of settlement. Small settlements are easier, less defenses in general and easier to access what you need to access. With small settlements you can often get in, tank the damage, make the scan, and get out.

Medium/large settlements with higher security really should be flagged as wing missions. At least 2 people, one to keep the skimmers busy while the other gets in and gets the job done.

 

[LifesAJourney]

Ashnak's manual is very good. I use a DBX equipped with prismatics so it's easy to get close to the scannable object and I don't really need to worry about AA-defences and hostile ships.

For the skimmers: very often I find them not in the settlement itself but around another location within a 5-10km radius: a mining site, a crashed ship, a bunch of canisters scattered around. So if the mission is about killing skimmers, there can be no need to engage with the settlement itself at all.

 

[St0rmFury]

Always use ship to scan since they have stronger shields/hull.