Hi Cmdrs, making my back from Beagle Point and my next goal is getting prismatics. I'm thinking of getting them for my Asp Explorer, Anaconda (Explorer), Type 9, Imperial Cutter & Federal Corvette. My question is what size should I get for each (except Type 9, no bigger than a 5 as I don't want to compromise on cargo space) & how I should engineer them. o7.
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Newcomer / Intro Help with prismatics
- Thread starter Cypher-Shryke
- Start date
Asp Explorer , Anaconda - 3A Enhanced Low Power Stripped Down.
Corvette - 5A Enhanced Low Power Stripped Down.
Cutter - 6A Enhanced Low Power Stripped Down. I know you said 5 minimum but that isn't an option on the Cutter.
All based on Coriolis as I have no experience with Power Play items.
Amongst other benefits the engineering removes 44 tonnes from the generator in the Cutter.
Corvette - 5A Enhanced Low Power Stripped Down.
Cutter - 6A Enhanced Low Power Stripped Down. I know you said 5 minimum but that isn't an option on the Cutter.
All based on Coriolis as I have no experience with Power Play items.
Amongst other benefits the engineering removes 44 tonnes from the generator in the Cutter.
Prismatic work best on a big ship with SCBs to recharge them. I can't see them being much use on an Asp, where biweaves might be a better solution unless you're simply trying to free up a larger slot for something else. I always used 3C biweaves for smuggling, mining and exploration. What are you expecting to do with such a ship?
Absolutely - that’s the key question … what does the OP want them for?
I use undersized A-rates shields on trading / mining ships (eg: 3A or 4A on Python / Krait) with Reinforced engineering. It’s enough that I can run from pirates … could I use Prismatics instead? Probably … but what would be the point? I ain’t staying to fight (got no weapons anyway …) and Prismatics would require more power, which means a bigger PP, which means more weight, which means I’d be slower to run away! And I’d lose jump range.
I use max size BiWeaves on combat ships, engineered for Thermal Resistance and Fast Charging with additional boosters for more resistance and then guardian shield modules for additional raw MJs. This allows me relatively fast shield recharge without the need to manage SCBs, heat sinks and all that stuff and instead can load up on some hull and module reinforcements - just in case. Means I can sit in combat zones or HazRES’s for ages.
So, for me, Prismatics don’t have a “niche” … but I know CMDRs who run Cutters or simliar with massive prismatic shields and a ton of SCBs and are essentially unkillable. So, there’s that …
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Thank you for your suggestions Cmdrs, much to think about.
This.
I recommend you use this method before you grind for Prismos. Another thing is that you should buy and store ALL the Prismos you think you ever will need when you unlock them. Do your homework on the sizes and numbers you will need; then add up the astronomical costs and make sure you have enough space bucks before you start the unlock sequence. Just my $0.02
Why the heck would ever put prismatic shields on exploration ships?
I mean, do you do exploration in Community Goal systems or Engineer locations in Open Mode? Or generally in high traffic systems in the bubble where you encounter gankers?
I think you should read what exactly prismatic shields do as well as what they are used for and I can tell you right now, they are primarily used by shield tank PvP ships like the Fer De Lance, Corvette, Courier, Cutter and in some builds the Krait MK2.
Also note that most ships have different shield strength multipliers therefore prismatic shields ONLY work on certain ships. Putting a prismatic shield on a hull tank (FAS/Chieftain) or a exploration ship is just purely bonkers.
Prismatic shields are meant to last for as long as possibly during a single combat engagement (such as 1v1 PvP), afterwards you need to dock in order to recharge them.
Bi-Weave shields are meant to have the lowest absolute shield strength but high resistances, and function by recharging and coming back online several times during a fight.
Normal shields are the lightest and the middle ground between the two above. Meant for Missions, Miners and explorers due to their low power consumption.
Below are the pros and cons for prismatic shields.
Pros:
- Highest absolute shield strength in the game
- Benefit massively from many shield boosters (the more utility slots the better)
- Work exceptionally well with shield cell banks
Cons:
- Massively slow you down
- Massively lower your jump range
- Take forever to recharge (up to over 50min on a Cutter)
Don't forget that prismatics are useful when you need a minimum shield strength but you don't want to give up a large slot, like on a mining or trade ship. I have 6A prismatics on my mining Cutter, which gives enough shield strength to deal with pirates at the start of a session rather than wait for them to go or run away from them. It just saves a bit of time. With only a normal 6A shield, it limits what type of pirates I can deal with and is much more risky. Also, on a T9, a 5A prismatic weighs the same as a 6A normal, but offers higher shield strength (about 12%).
Normal shields will do just fine, what on earth do you need prismatics for?
At the start of a session you only have limpets, they wont attack. They just scan and move on. You don't even need shields for mining.
And you're in a Cutter, you can just click boost or go silent, they will never find you and leave.
Or put 4 pips to sys and ignore them, Authority Vessels will destroy them.
Or God forbid, just comply with their demand and give the little viper what they can fit in their tiny cargo hold.
Really? Seriously, really? Do you not engineer your ships?
Bit late for this i guess, but my habit of getting prismatics is:
Size 1, 7, 8 - 2 pieces
Size 2, 6 - 3 pieces
Size 3, 4, 5 - 4 pieces
Exploration Conda: size 4 Prismatics (or size 5D normal shields, depending on the versatility level required)
Exploration Phantom: size 3 Prismatics (or size 5D normal shields, depending on the versatility level required)
Mining Clipper, Conda: size 4 prismatics
Trader/Passenger Python, size 3 Prismatics
Trader Cutter: size 6 Prismatics
Trader T9 - size 5 Prismatics (kinda risky tho)
My ground attack DBX is using size 4 Prismatics (1348 MJ)
An Exobiology ship able to sustain hard crashes on high G planets: Dolphin or DBX with size 4 prismatics (around 730-740 MJ)
IMO given you are getting them for combat I suggest the largest that will fit each ship.
My Mission Python has largest Prismatic - It is only expected to fight one ship (Assassination or Interdiction), and I can always avoid the Interdiction if it hasnt charged from the previous fight.
My Trade Cutter has a Size 6 Prismatic - Just needs something incase I fail (or cant be bothered) to avoid an Interdiction
My dedicated Combat ships have BiWeave - They will fight several ships and need to recharge (normally while still fighting) before the heat death of the Universe.
Exploration Ships tend to have a small lightweight BiWeave - If it ever gets turned on, its only to avoid scrapes and stupidity.
If I wanted a Medium to do Wing Assassinations, I would consider Prismatic
My Trade Cutter has a Size 6 Prismatic - Just needs something incase I fail (or cant be bothered) to avoid an Interdiction
My dedicated Combat ships have BiWeave - They will fight several ships and need to recharge (normally while still fighting) before the heat death of the Universe.
Exploration Ships tend to have a small lightweight BiWeave - If it ever gets turned on, its only to avoid scrapes and stupidity.
If I wanted a Medium to do Wing Assassinations, I would consider Prismatic
I see that you seem to hae either some problem wth reading or comprehension. Let's make it simpler by way of an example: A 5A prismatic is the same weight as a 6A normal shield, but is stronger and allows you to carry more cargo or other stuff. Out of the two, which would you prefer?
Don't be rude, I read and reply to every point you make as well as present a counter argument which you ignore.
Depends entirely on ship, purpose and game mode.
Let's use the Type 9 for example:
Open Mode: https://s.orbis.zone/gz6n
Solo Mode: https://s.orbis.zone/gz6o
But even on that build, using the prismatic is pushing it, you only need barely 1k absolute strength to survive a gank. I would honestly prefer a normal shield.
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I think d8veh's point was that with using prismatics, you can go one class lower (therefore saving the bigger slot for somthing more useful) and still have the same shield strength.
He's not really rude, that's just how he talks. The main problem with d8veh is that he's rarely wrong, so he's not really used to people arguing with him and gets a bit cranky.
But don't let it make you feel unwelcome. He's genuinely trying to help.
Prismatics work best for short, "one-shot" encounters where you don't necessarily require longevity, such as taking on high-rank wing assassination missions. The prismatics soak up the incoming fire from the wingmates as you take down the mark, then you FSD out.
Bi-weaves are good for extended sessions such as RES farming, where you want the shields to come back quickly between furballs.
Prismatics are terrible for exploration ships because they are heavy, use more power and are much heavier than normal shields. Typically using the smallest D rated shields your ship can equip with enhanced low power is what you want. Its light and will draw less power while providing enough protection for the occasional bump or scrape.
As stated above prismatics are best used for larger ships that are either using SCBs or are intended to be in short 1v1 engagements like a type 9 to prevent ganking.
As stated above prismatics are best used for larger ships that are either using SCBs or are intended to be in short 1v1 engagements like a type 9 to prevent ganking.