Killing Anacondas/Pythons with a Viper?

Cortana

Cortana
I'm bounty hunting in an Anarchy system with lots of big ships. My Viper isn't fully upgraded (most of the modules are B/C/D, Power Distribution is A) and my 2 fixed Beam Lasers & 2 gimballed MCannons are worth around 150.000 CR.

Killing Cobras/Vipers/ASPs is no big deal, Federal Dropships already start to be really really tough.

But I'm scared to attack Anacondas or Pythons. Once I managed to get a Python down to 30% hull but had to flee because I was out of ammo/shield cell banks and my hull was down to 10%.

Is the Viper even good enough to kill the biggest ships? Should I change my attack tactics?
 

ZappBernnanigan

ZappBernnanigan
With these big ships you should always try to stay on their six, and near them.

Try to target their FSD/power plant subsystems, when they reach 0 health the ship explodes. That way you can take them down at 50% hull or so. Kinetic guns (multicannons, cannons, etc.) work well at tresspassing the hull.
 

Julio Montega

Julio Montega
Don't target the hull if you bounty hunt, go for subsystems like the generator or FSD,
the last python i met, died due to generator failure at 73% hull.

MCs pack a punch and shred the armour reliably, but they are even better against subsystems,
outperformed only by precision weaponry and cannons.

It is also noteworthy, that beam lasers are rated armor pen C compared to armor pen A pulse lasers and bursts.
Shields on a target never have been a problem so far,
yet the turreted elite anacondas might become tedious to down.
 
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gandik

G
forget about hull damage . use gimblad C2 lasers [beam or burst] and target FSD drive module on anaconda/python... after you damage fsd to 0% the ship explode Although it has still 50%-80% hull..
 

Seren77

Seren77
I was able to take out lower ranked ones, with a mediocre equipped viper, an elite anaconda with turrets though, blew my window out and taught me a lesson
 

Cortana

Cortana
So targeting the FSD is more effective than targeting the powerplant?

And I'm not sure about 4 lasers weapon config? Shouldn't I go for 2 cannons and 2 lasers?
 

Heracles

H
Cortana said:
I'm bounty hunting in an Anarchy system with lots of big ships. My Viper isn't fully upgraded (most of the modules are B/C/D, Power Distribution is A) and my 2 fixed Beam Lasers & 2 gimballed MCannons are worth around 150.000 CR.

Killing Cobras/Vipers/ASPs is no big deal, Federal Dropships already start to be really really tough.

But I'm scared to attack Anacondas or Pythons. Once I managed to get a Python down to 30% hull but had to flee because I was out of ammo/shield cell banks and my hull was down to 10%.

Is the Viper even good enough to kill the biggest ships? Should I change my attack tactics?
Click to expand...


Beam lasers x2 with enough ship power to maintain firing. Target FSD/power cells/shields and keep firing. Try and acquire all A class power cell/shields/shield cell booster for yourself. Once the target ship has lost shields go in for the kill. Key is maintain firing!:eek:

Its brutal vicious stuff, only recommended for getting those real bad villains!

;)
 

Kadaeux

K
Cortana said:
So targeting the FSD is more effective than targeting the powerplant?

And I'm not sure about 4 lasers weapon config? Shouldn't I go for 2 cannons and 2 lasers?
Click to expand...

I'd say, in my experience, it's less a case of "more effective" and more a case of there's simply more hull between your guns and the powerplant if you're in their six, meanwhile the FSD is closer to the engines.
 

Yanaran

Y
For killing big ships, get rid of the beams and use pulse lasers. They do much more damage/energy, so in a long fight they do more damage overall (since you'll spend less time out of energy). They also do more damage to subsystems as has been mentioned, and the best way to kill pythons and condas is to target the power plant.

It also makes a difference where you position yourself relative to the target. Pythons have only one gun on the bottom side, so it's much safer to stay below it if possible when you're in a smaller ship. Anaconda loadouts seem to vary a lot but if you can identify which side is "weak" it can help you out a lot in a long fight.
 

Devil's Refugee

Devil's Refugee
I'm running a Viper with 4x gimballed MCs and it's a hoot. I've taken down Anacondas and Pythons (admittedly there's usually another 3 NPCs all trying for a hit) but I've managed to bag some large bounties out of it. Targetting sub-systems is definitely the way to go. FSD or even Life Support a good option.

I dumped lasers, gimballed their useless and too much of a power drain. Tried cannons but their too fiddly unless you're really close quarter and generally a good aim.
 

ZenioAlpha

Z
I am killing Elite Anacondas and Pythons (not sure if elite) with ease with fully upgraed Viper class 1 pulse lasers and class 2 milticannons all fixed. Usually I use up just 2-3 shield cells.
Trick is to hold behind the enemy and use thrusters properly. 3 pips to wep and 3 pips to eng. I do not lock any modules just shooting hull. Shooting modules might be solution for gimbaled as they automitally.
 

Kadaeux

K
Devil's Refugee said:
I'm running a Viper with 4x gimballed MCs and it's a hoot. I've taken down Anacondas and Pythons (admittedly there's usually another 3 NPCs all trying for a hit) but I've managed to bag some large bounties out of it. Targetting sub-systems is definitely the way to go. FSD or even Life Support a good option.

I dumped lasers, gimballed their useless and too much of a power drain. Tried cannons but their too fiddly unless you're really close quarter and generally a good aim.
Click to expand...

4x Gimballed Multicannons is a surprisingly fun fit.

It's ammo costs are prodigious but I can usually more than recuperate the losses in bounties. What I want is a KWS to check them for bounties in other jurisdictions.
 

LawHunter

LawHunter
gandik said:
forget about hull damage . use gimblad C2 lasers [beam or burst] and target FSD drive module on anaconda/python... after you damage fsd to 0% the ship explode Although it has still 50%-80% hull..
Click to expand...

This is it. C2 gimbled pulse lasers is all u need (who would have thought). Beam lasers are cool but hopeless.
 

AndyHill

A
In a fully kitted Viper or Cobra taking out an elite 'conda isn't that hard. You just have to stick to its butt like the remains of its previous meal and keep hammering. You don't need a lot of power to the engines so give some strength to the shields and guns. Chaff launcher helps a lot and a good shield cell bank is a life saver - although it's possible to do it without one, that leaves just no room for mistakes.

The hardest part is avoiding the big snake's nose, you really don't want to catch one of its plasma balls. Also targeting the FSD or power source is useful, a pure multicannon setup is just murder once you get the shields down.
 

Kero

Kero
Its doable in a viper but you need some luck and an A3 shield cell bank with some chaff. I haven't tried the FSD before, I might try that since I usually go for the power system.
Just strafe around them to stay anwhere but the front, if he faces you for more than 4 seconds, chaff and after burner away; rince-repeat.

As for weapons, missiles suck unless you have 4 mounts and that's expensive. Plasma doesn't do nearly enough vs large ships to justify the power cost, so you're left with lasers and multi cannons. 2 lasers 2 multicanons is fine, or one laser and 3 multicanons all gimballed to hit systems more effectively. Beam lasers are great for shields but suck at hitting systems. You can skimp on sensors and life support if you're short on power.

It's also a good idea to invest in the anti-laser armor (forget the name).
 

Kadaeux

K
Cortana said:
And the other 2?
Click to expand...

Honestly, the only reason to go with a Pulse Laser fit over a Multicannon Fit (assuming going a 'purist' route) is the lack of ammo issues.




Pure Multicannon Fit:
Pros:
Chews the ever loving hell out of enemies.
Gatling guns are always fun.
Cons:
Limited field time. (Ammo constraints)
Some people (like myself) encounter sound stutters when using Multicannons, the weapon sound and the 'target hit' sound seem to come into conflict choking each other out.

Pure Laser Fit:
Pros:
Better accuracy at range due to instant hit.
Greater field time. (No Ammo concerns forcing a return to rearm.)
Cons:
Overheating is a pain in the rear.
Spending more time "in field" = greater chance of losing stocked bounty vouchers at gunpoint.
 

Julio Montega

Julio Montega
Kadaeux said:
Honestly, the only reason to go with a Pulse Laser fit over a Multicannon Fit (assuming going a 'purist' route) is the lack of ammo issues.




Pure Multicannon Fit:
Pros:
Chews the ever loving hell out of enemies.
Gatling guns are always fun.
Cons:
Limited field time. (Ammo constraints)
Some people (like myself) encounter sound stutters when using Multicannons, the weapon sound and the 'target hit' sound seem to come into conflict choking each other out.

Pure Laser Fit:
Pros:
Better accuracy at range due to instant hit.
Greater field time. (No Ammo concerns forcing a return to rearm.)
Cons:
Overheating is a pain in the rear.
Spending more time "in field" = greater chance of losing stocked bounty vouchers at gunpoint.
Click to expand...

A3 power distributor and 2 class pulses at 4 pip weapons do not overheat,
given you have the odd maneuver to realign with your target,
they also got great effectivity as an allround weapon against shields, armor and subsystems.
 

Padaxes

Padaxes
I use 2 beam lasers for shields and two cannons + lasers for the power plant.

Elite Condas are still a bit of a pain though, even with a bunch of shield cells. Tough hombres them.

But it makes you feel like your earning your money!
 
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