Newcomer / Intro Hull Tanking

Thwarptide · Jul 11, 2020

Howdy Cmdrs, 07
I've recently come back from the black to break up the monotony.
From reading the forums I've become interested in participating in the "Turning The Wheel" experiment (it's a Raxxla thing).

Community Event / Creation - Turning the Wheel

(IN UNIVERSE) My fellow commanders. It is with a heavy heart that I must come before you today to put an end to the lies and corruption within the Pilots’ Federation. This once-venerable institution has been infiltrated and subjugated by a nefarious group of elites known only as ‘The Club’. For...

forums.frontier.co.uk

Participation can be lots of things. (I play solo only) I've got a great ship for hauling whatever. But I'm also interested in PVE, opposing faction(s) trade vessels, war etc. For that I'll need a well tanked ship. My Python doesn't seem like it would cut the mustard, not when a Krait Mk2 would be quite adequate and more once it's done fitted and engineered.

I've got the krait and I'm just starting to piece it together. But I'm a bit perplexed when it comes to tanking the hull. To start I need to install some type of alloy or hull strengthening in the slot. But I'm perplexed by the new found options
1. Reinforced
2. Military (boy that is a bit weighty)
3. Mirrored
4. Reactive.
I understand each has serious benefits and drawbacks. I'm not sure which would suit my current interests.
Also, if you'd like to share (your) a build to suit my needs, by all means, feel free to share (I'm all ears).
Did I just open a can of worms with this post or what?

aRJay · Jul 12, 2020

This is the version of my Krait mk2 that I was playing with on this device it is approximately what I used in Conflict Zones a while back just remember to drag your fighter pilot out of the bar.

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous

coriolis.io

Thwarptide · Jul 12, 2020

"Tanks" bunches Rjay

That's dern close if not better than the model I was looking at. Looks better anyway.
Now I have a goal and lots of engineering grinding to do. Should keep me from getting bored for quite a long time.

Dommarraa · Jul 12, 2020

Difference between python and krait are a pretty marginal, but the greater tankyness of the python is one of the bigger differences.

Ashnak · Jul 12, 2020

Here's mine - although I won't take her into a CZ in that loadout, those Frags (Pacifiers) are rather indiscriminate when it comes to obliterating other ships near the intended target - and they run out of ammo fast. And I have had my fighter apparently shoot at (or at least hitting) friendlies, which then became unfriendly:

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous

s.orbis.zone

If you have them, you might swap around some of the optionals for Guardian shield reinforcements.

This, however, is what I do take into CZs - so far successfully:

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous

s.orbis.zone

Morbad · Jul 12, 2020

Optimal bulkheads will depend on how well the ship handles additional mass, the proportion of total hull strength that you'll get from bulkheads, and what optional slots you intend to use for HRPs.

In general, the Krait Mk II isn't significantly hindered by bulkhead mass, so thermal resistant or heavy durty reactive will usually be the way to go.

Thwarptide · Jul 12, 2020

Dommarraa said:
Difference between python and krait are a pretty marginal, but the greater tankyness of the python is one of the bigger differences. .

Oh, I don't know about that. Makes you wonder why many people rip through Thargoids using the krait. I've yet to see one python doing it. But I do know of one incredible pilot that takes one every Thargoid ship with a dern hauler. She only does it to show off. Most of the time she uses the Mk2
Judging from the first run, the krait mk2 maneuvers much better with the same G5 thrusters.
However, my first time making pew pew with beam lasors and the cannons was soooo different from pulse lasors and multi cannons, takes getting used to. But the beams just ripped through some big npc Sheild pretty quickly. I did put the slf through its initial try-outs. That's definitely gonna take getting used to.
What pleased me the most was the FDL's I encountered didn't make a dent in my defenses.
Overall, I'll take the mk2 over the python without regret.
I need to focus on some engineering now and train a pilot or two.

Thwarptide · Jul 12, 2020

Ashnak said:
Here's mine - although I won't take her into a CZ in that loadout, those Frags (Pacifiers) are rather indiscriminate when it comes to obliterating other ships near the intended target - and they run out of ammo fast. And I have had my fighter apparently shoot at (or at least hitting) friendlies, which then became unfriendly:

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous

s.orbis.zone

If you have them, you might swap around some of the optionals for Guardian shield reinforcements.

This, however, is what I do take into CZs - so far successfully:

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous

s.orbis.zone

Some really good info here. I've made copies of the builds for future reference (and I will use it)

withnail67 · Jul 12, 2020

I love my Krait II, although mine is set up for 'roid mining (sings "All we are saying.... is give peace a chance) but what's with the cockpit wiring?? Are these supposed to be new build ships, or revamped old stock???

Dommarraa · Jul 12, 2020

I'm not saying a combat krait isn't a fine choice, but the op is about tanky ships, and the python is significantly tankier especially if you take the slf option for your krait. Just applying your stated preferences.
The difference in manuverability is small, but for thargoid hunting that's more important than in regular pve.

Neither is a wrong choice.

Morbad · Jul 12, 2020

Thwarptide said:
Oh, I don't know about that. Makes you wonder why many people rip through Thargoids using the krait. I've yet to see one python doing it.

It's faster and speed is a big deal.

badibeat · Jul 12, 2020

aRJay said:
This is the version of my Krait mk2 that I was playing with on this device it is approximately what I used in Conflict Zones a while back just remember to drag your fighter pilot out of the bar.

Coriolis EDCD Edition

A ship builder, outfitting and comparison tool for Elite Dangerous

coriolis.io

I don't recommend the Lightweight modification for Hull Reinforcement Packages HRP.

I'd Use Heavy Duty grade 5 instead, maybe one size smaller and add Deep Plating experimental except for the small Class 1 and maybe Class 2, where the resistance tradeoff may not be worth it or it's better to add a resistance modifying Experimental. You will effectively get lower mass with both higher absolute armor and higher resistance values.
Use the smallest HRP to balance resistances if necessary (using Thermal Resistant etc.).

Hull vs mass is usually better for grade 5 Heavy Duty HRPs than the difference between grade 5 Heavy Duty and Lightweight armor if you can spare the slot(s), therefore I'd go Lightweight Grade 5. Exception is the mass-free Lightweigt Alloy.
HRPs / MRPs can be repaired quite efficiently during combat with an AFMU as they need no power and have 10x repair / ammo. (Not sure about the distribution of damage between the armor and HRPs)

Replacing the Military Grade Composite Lightweight Grade 1 armor with Reactive Surface Composite Lightweight Grade 5 Reflective Plating,
replacing the Class 5D HRP Lightweight grade 5 Reflective plating with Class 4D Heavy Duty grade 5 Deep Plating
changing the Class 4D HRP Lightweight grade 3 Reflective plating to Heavy Duty grade 5 Deep Plating
changing the Class 3D HRP Lightweight grade 5 Reflective plating to Heavy Duty grade 5 Deep Plating

=> Will reduce the unladen mass by 22t while increasing the absolute armor from 1647 to 2450, explosive resistance from -25.8% to +44.0%, Kinetic resistance from -9.6% to +45.3% and thermal resistance from +12.3% to +31.2% with a (still light) 5H instead of 4H Guardian Frame Shift Drive Booster, increasing speed and jump range.

Screemonster · Jul 12, 2020

badibeat said:
I don't recommend the Lightweight modification for Hull Reinforcement Packages HRP.

I'd Use Heavy Duty grade 5 instead, maybe one size smaller and add Deep Plating experimental except for the small Class 1 and maybe Class 2, where the resistance tradeoff may not be worth it or it's better to add a resistance modifying Experimental. You will effectively get lower mass with both higher absolute armor and higher resistance values.
Use the smallest HRP to balance resistances if necessary (using Thermal Resistant etc.).

Hull vs mass is usually better for Heavy Duty HRPs than the difference between Heavy Duty and Lightweight armor if you can spare the slot(s), therefore I'd go Lightweight Grade 5. Exception is the mass-free Lightweigt Alloy.
HRPs / MRPs can be repaired quite efficiently during combat with an AFMU as they need no power and have 10x repair / ammo. (Not sure about the distribution of damage between the armor and HRPs)

Replacing the Military Grade Composite Lightweight Grade 1 armor with Reactive Surface Composite Grade 5 Reflective Plating,

replacing the Class 5D HRP Lightweight grade 5 Reflective plating with Class 4D Heavy Duty grade 5 Deep Plating

changing the Class 4D HRP Lightweight grade 3 Reflective plating to Heavy Duty grade 5 Deep Plating

changing the Class 3D HRP Lightweight grade 5 Reflective plating to Heavy Duty grade 5 Deep Plating

=> Will reduce the unladen mass by 22t while increasing the absolute armor from 1647 to 2450, explosive resistance from -25.8% to +44.0%, Kinetic resistance from -9.6% to +45.3% and thermal resistance from +12.3% to +31.2% with a (still light) 5H instead of 4H Guardian Frame Shift Drive Booster, increasing speed and jump range.

Another favourite of mine for a lot of ships is Heavy duty reactive plating with a thermal resistant HRP in the size 1 slot. It tends to get the most bang for your buck in terms of hitpoints. And Deep Plating on everything. Of course, it's pricey and depending on what you're up to you might actually want to use that C1 slot for something else.

badibeat · Jul 12, 2020

Screemonster said:
Another favourite of mine for a lot of ships is Heavy duty reactive plating with a thermal resistant HRP in the size 1 slot. It tends to get the most bang for your buck in terms of hitpoints. And Deep Plating on everything. Of course, it's pricey and depending on what you're up to you might actually want to use that C1 slot for something else.

That's always a good starting point when slots matter.

However, with just a single 1D HRP (Thermal + HD) it is already heavier than the aRay's build while offering much less absolute armor.

If you can use a single class 4 or 5 instead of a class 1 HRP, Reactive Surface Composite Lightweight Grade 5 Reflective Plating and a single 4D or 5D HRP Heavy Duty Deep Plating beat this in every aspect (lower mass, higher absolute / kinetic / explosive / thermal damage).