If you don't scan with a xeno scanner, how can you tell when an interceptor's shields drop due to timeout? I know that if you shoot it and shields are up, the holo displays shield impacts. But I have been watching a lot of videos and it seems that a lot of people kite the interceptor at range then suddenly engage and the interceptor shields are down. Are they just using a known timer? Is there some visual clue? I can't figure this out.
interceptor shields down when?
- Thread starter SlickPBW
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If you are not running a laser so you can ping the shields, it is good to know the decay times of each variant. (You can see it listed here https://www.antixenoinitiative.com/wiki/thargoids/statistics) Then either use the in-game clock or put an actual timer. Or you can just wait and go in when you think its decayed and break off if it hasnt.
I don't know the time but it isn't terribly long.
The time depends on the interceptor type. All shields decay at the same rate, but more difficult interceptor variants have larger shields and they therefore take longer to decay. In short:
Cyclops: 1min 38s.
Basilisk: 2min 51s.
Medusa: 4min 5s.
Hydra: 5min 19s.
(This information is available in the statistics page i linked in #2)
Once you get proficient in flaking down the swarm, you will most likely spend a significant amount of time just using a thermal vent laser to help the shield decay on anything more difficult than a Cyclops ... unless you ram the shield off ...