Hauler Defensive Tactics

[Grimbil]

So I've made enough money to buy my first hauler. Huzzah! Now, before I strip the shields off to get an extra 4 tons of storage capacity, can some of the more experienced Commanders chime in with some defensive tactics? It's rare that I get caught by an interdiction, but it happens, and I'd prefer not to lose 12 tons of gold by getting jacked on an off piloting day.

Would buying a heat sink launcher help me get away from a pirate that's on my tail? Dumping heat after a burn, changing direction and perhaps to drop off his radar?

How about a chaff launcher? In the same situation, with a pirate directly behind, would dropping chaff to break his lock give me enough time to boost and FSD away?

Any other suggestions on tactics?

Thanks Commanders!

(and yes, I'll be stripping the pulse laser.)

 

[MARPATdroid]

I am flying a hauler right now, and have been playing since PB2 when it was introduced... the best tactic is to not get interdicted, run away, and get out of it into a cobra as soon as humanly possible.

 

[edukainc]

Yeah, Also in a hauler ATM.
Step 1: Try like heck not to get interdicted
Step 2: If step 1 fails, 4 pips to engine, throttle all the way up
Step 3: Hit turbo like mad (finger mash)
Step 4: Hit FSD as soon as possible (finger mash)
Step 4: evasive maneuvers...thrust up, sideways, down
Step 5: If shields start to fail hit "Shield cell" if ya got it..
Step 6: See step 3 and 4..
.
I always escape with the above with zero hull damage...once in a great while my shields get to one ring and I hit shield recharge and HAUL ASTEROIDS OUTTA THERE!
.
Good times!

 

[chagnampra]

Yes, having just bought a hauler, I'm interested in avoiding being blown to bits too! Plus I am curious just what can be safely sacrificed to increase cargo space. I've already dispensed with the discovery scanner...

 

[Martin1956]

So I've made enough money to buy my first hauler. Huzzah! Now, before I strip the shields off to get an extra 4 tons of storage capacity, can some of the more experienced Commanders chime in with some defensive tactics? It's rare that I get caught by an interdiction, but it happens, and I'd prefer not to lose 12 tons of gold by getting jacked on an off piloting day.

Would buying a heat sink launcher help me get away from a pirate that's on my tail? Dumping heat after a burn, changing direction and perhaps to drop off his radar?

How about a chaff launcher? In the same situation, with a pirate directly behind, would dropping chaff to break his lock give me enough time to boost and FSD away?

Any other suggestions on tactics?

Thanks Commanders!

(and yes, I'll be stripping the pulse laser.)

Don't haul 12 tons of gold as you will soon get interdicted and blown to smithereens, I know it happened to me a few times in previous testing, but that was when I was testing out my limnited fighting ability!

Make sure you have enough dosh to upgrade your thrusters ASAP and probably a couple of gimballed cannons or lasers to help counter the slow turning circle (so to speak)

But most of all

Keep you fingers crossed!

 

[MARPATdroid]

Yes, having just bought a hauler, I'm interested in avoiding being blown to bits too! Plus I am curious just what can be safely sacrificed to increase cargo space. I've already dispensed with the discovery scanner...

I think the disco scanner is all I dumped, I kept the shields which I may or may not upgrade as I am almost to the point where I will buy a cobra. but the 2x class 3 cargo slots and the one class 1 cargo slot gives me 18 tonnes of storage. I did upgrade the Power Source, and the FSD which gives me a nice 21 ly unladen and 13.7 laden jump range. It's a much better ship than it's previous iterations heck I may just store it so I can use it later if I total my Cobra and can't replace it.

 

[th3_fr4gil3]

i find turning and boosting right past em as they make their run the best way to open up the distance over 3km. youi need to get over 3km to stop their mass slowing the drive charge.

 

[Martin1956]

Yeah, Also in a hauler ATM.
Step 1: Try like heck not to get interdicted
Step 2: If step 1 fails, 4 pips to engine, throttle all the way up
Step 3: Hit turbo like mad (finger mash)
Step 4: Hit FSD as soon as possible (finger mash)
Step 4: evasive maneuvers...thrust up, sideways, down
Step 5: If shields start to fail hit "Shield recharge" if ya got it..
Step 6: See step 3 and 4..
.
I always escape with the above with zero hull damage...once in a great while my shields get to one ring and I hit shield recharge and HAUL ASTEROIDS OUTTA THERE!
.
Good times!

Shield recharge.... I think I have overlooked something, is this a Shield Cell gubbins?

 

[MARPATdroid]

probably a couple of gimballed cannons or lasers to help counter the slow turning circle (so to speak)

But most of all

Keep you fingers crossed!

Yeah I dumped the weapons on my hauler, it only has one hard point and not much maneuverability which makes it useless in combat. The weapon isn't worth the extra tonnage especially since it is a small class 2 hard point.

 

[Ortikon]

Getting a better Power Coupling is HUGE.
Not the Power Generator, but the one that delegates and stores power.
I found one in Sol that gave me 1/3 better stats on ALL stats except weight.
This allows me to overcharge my boost every few seconds to get some quick distance, faster shield charge too.
Generally the whole ship just operates a bit smoother IMHO.

 

[chainy]

Has anyone tried the mine launcher with the hauler?

 

[RadBlaster]

What are you guys doing!!!

So far I have brought a basic "as is" Hauler and been using it successfully in combat after been interdicted. Most of the NPC are fighting with sideys and eagles with no shield ... dumb NPC!! I just replaced my little pew pew with a gimbal pulse laser (luv it!!). Usually I just submit to a Interdict and let them fire on me first. Then it game on!! I'm always adjusting my power distribution as I fight. He running away from me ... more to engines and weapons ... full throttle. OMG he turning on me more shield and bit to weapons ... full throttle ... side thrust ... pew pew as I go pass him. Then he behind me ... 50% throttle ... more to weapons and a bit to engines ... pew pew pew .. BOOM!!! ... cha ching $$$$.

Only had to run away from one viper which had shields and nasty shield shredding laser.