Guardian Plasma Chargers at Spire site, rubbish?

[Scoob]

Hey all,

I've been playing around at a Spire site with a Krait II, I've used AX MC's - good for scouts - an AX Missiles which are ok the the Orthrus, but only just as they flee very quickly.

Looking how to do more DPS, I found videos of Commanders using the Guardian Plasma Chargers to great effect with literally three shots (6x Plasma) from an Anaconda taking out an Orthrus with ease. Looked fun! With is in mind, I modifed my own Anaconda for this roles, beefier power planet (rather than low emmissions) and six Plasma Chargers.

I just used it for the first time and...well, it simply did not work! I fully charged the Plasma and let lose a volley of six shots, ALL of which landed and the Orthrus was barely scratched. I continued to land volley after volley but after a minute or so, the Orthrus fled. I'd not even taken it's shield down. What gives? I saw VERY different results in a video I watched. Have I wasted all this time and effort to unlock these weapons? Has the weapons been nerfed?

Just wondering what's going on here as the Plasmas are objectively WORSE than the AX Missiles I was using before. I'm NOT seeing the claimed high damage output, not even close. Yes I'm charging the weapons properly, yes I have ample WEP Capacitor. Any advice welcome.

Oh, as an aside, I was aware that using Guardian Weapons would mean they'd take damage from the AG effect. So, I fitted a good AFMU. However, I simply do not get the option to Repair them, like I do with all other modules. The UI skips the Plasmas when tabbing through modules. This has NOT gone how I expected!

 

[Kira Goto]

Were you using the modified Guardian plasmas or the base version? Because the modified ones move a lot faster(projectile speed) and have higher damage than the default C3 despite being a C2 weapon.

And your game seems to have a lot of weird issues. Never had any problems fixing any Guardian weapon with an AFMU.

 

[Scoob]

Were you using the modified Guardian plasmas or the base version? Because the modified ones move a lot faster(projectile speed) and have higher damage than the default C3 despite being a C2 weapon.

And your game seems to have a lot of weird issues. Never had any issues fixing any Guardian weapon with an AFMU.

I have 4x C3 and 2x C2 fitted, so they must be the regular ones? I unlocked them at Mbooni, after getting the permit, and they're definitely the same one as used in the video, as he was using 4x C3 and 2x C2 as well. I unlocked the ones the video suggested, trying to search for it again but cannot find it.

Agreed re: weird issue! I mean, I know how to use an AFMU - been using them a lot with the various AX things I've been doing lately - but the UI simply would not let me select any of the Plasma Chargers. I had to dock to repair, which sorta defeated the point.

 

[Shurimal]

Modplasma comes in class 1 and 2. You don't unlock them, you buy each one you want to fit on your ships individually at the Mbooni tech broker for materials.

 

[Scoob]

Modplasma comes in class 1 and 2. You don't unlock them, you buy each one you want to fit on your ships individually at the Mbooni tech broker for materials.

The video I watched clearly used the regular Guardian Plasma Chargers, as the ship was fitted with Class 3 - which doesn't exist for the modded ones, right? While other weapons might be better, the video was using the basic Guardian ones, six of them, for dealing heavy damage. I didn't check the date on the guide, but it may have been out of date.

Hope I haven't wasted my time, and precious Guardian Weapon unlocks. Also, why my AFMU refuses to repair them when damaged is a total mystery to me.

 

[Aleks Zuno]

I have 4x C3

Those are definitely the normal Plasma, not the Azimuth Plasma! I was going to say to look for the engineered-module icon, or perhaps something quantifiable such as whether the shot speed is 6000 as opposed to 1200, but the Azimuth ends at class 2.

Check back at Mbooni, at the planetary port—each individual Azimuth-modified Plasma Charger is purchased separately via the unlocking list, so it is possible that you have at least one modified Plasma already waiting for you in Outfitting.

 

[Scoob]

That's cool, I see the distinction between the two. However, the video clearly showed the regular Plasma Chargers working REALLY well. That's the bit I don't get.

As an aside, having lots of weirdness just now, had to task-kill the game just approaching the Spire site, as it was glitching out. Going back in and hoping things are more stable.

 

[Aleks Zuno]

Perhaps show said video, if it would help others to see what you are seeing? Speaking of which, beyond some point it becomes easier to make a video yourself to show the problems such as your AFMU being uncooperative, or your weapons misbehaving!

 

[Jack Winter]

Yes, what's the video in question?

 

[Scoob]

Perhaps show said video, if it would help others to see what you are seeing? Speaking of which, beyond some point it becomes easier to make a video yourself to show the problems such as your AFMU being uncooperative, or your weapons misbehaving!

You know, I've been trying to find the video I watched yesterday and I cannot find it. It was a guy doing a fun build with an Anaconda with six Guardian Plasma Chargers, and using them to great effect. It's really annoying!

Game is being a total pain this evening, this is the second time I've had to task kill because something has gone screwy. I get this sometimes when there's another player with (what I assume is) a dodgy connection in the area, but I'm alone in my own PG at the moment! Restarting the PC as a precaution.

 

[Scoob]

I dropped the Anaconda for now, as it's simply not doing the damage the one in the video did. I'm back in a Krait II, with 5x AX Missile Racks. It's does solid, consistent damage where the Plasmas did not. Put it this way, in the same time those 5X AX Missiles can kill a freshly-arrived Orthus, the Plasma Chargers got an Orthus down to 87% shields...it's like they're doing nothing at all, most of the full-charged hits.

That said, the instance at the Spire site the eve has been a little weird. We're noticing Orthus become immune to damage a few seconds prior to them jumping or entering the Spire. I've sniped many an Orthus just before it jumps or just as it enters the Spire, killing it the last second. So, this immunity just prior to that doesn't seem quite right. There are two of us in the instance, but we both have good PC's and connections and don't usually see issues with just us around. We sometimes get problems if another Commander turns up, but with just the two of us, it's generally pretty good.

Back to the Plasma Chargers. I'm not wrong in thinking that SIX of these letting off a fully-charged shot should deal a tonne of damage right? Way more that 5 AX Missiles on a Krait II. With our current team-up, my Wingmate with 5x EAX MC's rips through Scouts with ease, but does little damage to the big guys. So, I wanted to up my game going from AX Missiles to Plasma chargers, but they're just not doing the job at all.

I'll try with the Anaconda + 6x Plasma Chargers again another time, but it's lack of ability to annoying me too much to continue.

 

[Scoob]

Was hoping to test the Anaconda again this eve, with my Wingman there to protect me from Scouts, but he's done for the night now. I really wanted to get this build working well, but it simply does not from my testing so far. If someone can answer weather 6x regular Guardian Plasma Chargers should be good at taking out an Orthrus quickly, I'd love to hear from you. In the video (still cannot find it, which is nuts) the build was VERY successful, with the charged plasma shots doing considerable damage. Really wish I could find that video, but I've not been able to get the search keywords correct to reveal it again. Darn it.

 

[thistle]

Was hoping to test the Anaconda again this eve, with my Wingman there to protect me from Scouts, but he's done for the night now. I really wanted to get this build working well, but it simply does not from my testing so far. If someone can answer weather 6x regular Guardian Plasma Chargers should be good at taking out an Orthrus quickly, I'd love to hear from you. In the video (still cannot find it, which is nuts) the build was VERY successful, with the charged plasma shots doing considerable damage. Really wish I could find that video, but I've not been able to get the search keywords correct to reveal it again. Darn it.

browser history?

 

[Shurimal]

In the video (still cannot find it, which is nuts) the build was VERY successful

If you watched it on YT while logged in it would be in your watch history.

 

[Scoob]

browser history?

I'll see if I can dig into that... Wasn't in yesterday's history as it was the day before IIRC, so checking through the pas 7 days category. DAMN, I watch a lot of junk! Scrolled for a bit, got bored or looking, might try again. Nothing is listed in date order in the history view (unless I can change it in Firefox) so I cannot target the exact day.

If you watched it on YT while logged in it would be in your watch history.

I did look up how to see my watch history, but I've not been logged in.

 

[Kira Goto]

I would've said it's possibly Mechan's video, but his build uses the modified plasma chargers all around so it can't have been it. (And while it was recorded when Orthrus at spires were still a bit buggy, and didn't fire AGF or shutdown pulses unless you bothered one as it was leaving, the build itself shouldn't have changed.)

The only possible thing I can imagine that you have to be within 1 kilometer for the chargers to have the most possible damage. But you weren't firing them at a 3 kilometer range at the Orthrus, right?

 

[Scoob]

I would've said it's possibly Mechan's video, but his build uses the modified plasma chargers all around so it can't have been it. (And while it was recorded when Orthrus at spires were still a bit buggy, and didn't fire AGF or shutdown pulses unless you bothered one as it was leaving, the build itself shouldn't have changed.)

The only possible thing I can imagine that you have to be within 1 kilometer for the chargers to have the most possible damage. But you weren't firing them at a 3 kilometer range at the Orthrus, right?

Good thought, but it's not a Commander Mechan video - I'd have remembered that as I've watched a number of his over the past couple of weeks.

Range-wise, I was pretty close, certainly around the 1km mark - I get really close with the AX Missiles too, so I'm sorta accustomed to the proximity. When my buddy is back online to keep the Scouts of my back, I can hopefully focus more on this. The damage levels were just so tiny, yet I could clearly see my shots hitting - and Anaconda's convergence is pretty darn good.

 

[Scoob]

I gave Plasma Chargers another go just now and they are simply broken vs. what I've seen others achieve with them - must be outdated information / videos.

This time I fitted just four Class 3's, to ensure that I had power (capacitor) to spare to fire them - not that I had problems before. I had a Orthrus spawn right near me, so I engaged. I was close, around 1km, and I hit the Orthrus with four fully-charged shots and it did next to nothing. I fired repeatedly, charged shot after charged shot, letting capactor recharge as needed and...no damage of any worth dealt. Ship also had two C1 Thermal Vent Beams, to keep temps down, and some regular C2 MC Turrets just to fill out the weapon slots. These did more damage than the Plasma Chargers.

Also, the Plasma Chargers melted in about a minute, but the Orthrus did not appear to be doing regular pulses. I read elsewhere that the Orthrus releases a "pulse" a bit like a shutdown field, but it damages Guardian Modules instead. It did one shut-down pulse, that I blocked, but no other visual pulses. It had its usual slime trail, but I avoided that, zero caustic taken.

I'm just stunned how badly these weapons are working, surely they should be better than this? AX missiles are 10x better, if not more. And I mean that literally as in the same time I can DESTROY an Orthrus with 6x AX Missiles, yet 6x Plasma Chargers just take a little over 10% - 20% off the shields...and most of that might be the other weapons.

Quite annoyed that I WASTED two Guardian BP's to unlock this total dud of a weapon. Tempted to raise a ticket to see if I can REMOVE both BPs and REFUND the materials. This weapon isn't just bad, it's BROKEN, as it cannot do the job its designed for. At all.

How are others getting on with the regular Guardian Plasma Chargers? Do they work for you? I've tried numerous times now and they're worthless junk. I've given them more than a fair go, ensuring I'm plenty close - I was well under the 1km damage fall-off for many of the shots - I ensure I charge them fully, I ensure there's ample WEP Capacitor to do so each shot and my shots are 100% on-target. Despite all this, no damage is dealt. It's beyond frustrating at this point.

 

[Kira Goto]

but the Orthrus did not appear to be doing regular pulses. I read elsewhere that the Orthrus releases a "pulse" a bit like a shutdown field

It is a singular shutdown pulse after which the AGF remains active until the Orthrus is dead or it leaves the instance.

 

[Scoob]

It is a singular shutdown pulse after which the AGF remains active until the Orthrus is dead or it leaves the instance.

Oh I see, so it pulses once then there's constant damage to Guardian modules even if not in proximity? That's different to what I read elsewhere.

So, Orthrus enters instance, does a shut-down field pulse and, after that, there's constant Guardian Module damage?

Btw: I've read and watched in several places how Orthrus jumping in to the site never use their shut-down pulse. That's contrary to my experience, they pretty much always use it. I've attacked dozens and dozens of them now, carefully watching for their arrival before engaging so I KNOW they've just arrived, yet they do that shut-down pulse as soon as they're attacked. I'm usually alone, so perhaps they behave differently vs. a group of Commanders? Dunno, regardless they DO release a shut-down pulse upon being attacked 90% of the time.